Applications are now open for the 2026 Africa Oxford Health Innovation Programme (AfOx-HIP), a flagship initiative designed to support African innovators developing science-based solutions to health challenges across the continent.
The AfOx Health Innovation Programme is open to innovators working across any discipline or technology, including but not limited to life sciences and engineering. The programme supports solutions focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment, including vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics, and surgical tools.
Priority will be given to high-impact innovations with the potential to transform health delivery in Africa, particularly those addressing:
- Reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases in African populations
- Optimising diagnostic and prognostic tests for African contexts
- Developing novel diagnostic tools to improve resilience to endemic diseases
- Preventing, diagnosing, or treating zoonotic diseases
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all three levels of eligibility outlined below.
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Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a national of an African country or have indefinite leave to remain in an African country
- Be legally resident and domiciled in an African country
- Be developing the proposed innovation within their host country
Applications are welcome from individual innovators or small teams. Academic affiliation is not required, but applicants must demonstrate a strong scientific or technological foundation for their innovation.
Female innovators and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Solution Eligibility
The proposed innovation must:
- Be science-based and focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, management, or treatment
- Include solutions such as vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics, or surgical tools
Early-stage ideas are eligible in specific categories, while prototype-stage and scaling-ready innovations are particularly encouraged.
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Venture Eligibility
Ventures must:
- Have a legal presence in the country of domicile (company registration is encouraged but not mandatory at the application stage)
The programme does not support:
- Well-established businesses
- Consultancies, NGOs, or consortiums
- Industrial research companies
- Student projects, including master’s dissertations or capstone projects
Training Programme
Selected innovators will participate in a fully virtual Innovation and Entrepreneurship training programme designed for busy professionals. The programme requires approximately 8–10 hours per week and includes:
- Entrepreneurial thinking and venture acceleration
- Translational research
- Creative problem-solving
- Business with purpose
- Weekly interactive workshops and collaborative group work
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Application Process
Applicants must complete and submit their application before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All submissions must be made in English.
Required Application Materials:
- Completed online application form
- One reference letter from an affiliated institution or professional contact
- Visual demonstration of the innovation (maximum two-page PDF schematic or design; optional demo video)
- Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of the outcome by 31 May 2026.
Why Apply?
The Africa Oxford Health Innovation Programme offers:
- World-class innovation and entrepreneurship training
- Direct engagement with Oxford-linked expertise and global networks
- Support to refine, validate, and scale impactful health solutions
- A unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery in Africa
Application Deadline
18 March 2026 (23:59 GMT)
Apply for the Africa Oxford Health Innovation Programme
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