Are you a final-year undergraduate or a postgraduate student in Nigeria working on a research project? Then the Grooming Centre University Research Grant 2026 could help pay for it. The scheme will fund 150 student projects, with up to ₦200,000 for each postgraduate winner. However, applications close on October 23, 2026, so start now.
About the Grooming Centre University Research Grant
Grooming Centre (Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre) is a leading microfinance institution in Nigeria. Through this grant scheme, it backs student research that can help lift people out of poverty. The Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM) manages the scheme.
The goal is simple: to promote financial inclusion and grow knowledge about enterprise development through research. In 2026, the grant will go to 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students. Reports put the total funding pool at about ₦20 million.
Benefits of the Grooming Centre Research Grant
- ₦100,000 for each selected undergraduate project
- ₦200,000 for each selected postgraduate project
- Funding to ease the cost of fieldwork, data collection and printing
- A chance for your research to shape policy, businesses and community projects
Note: the grant amounts above are as reported by the media. The official website confirms the number of awards but does not list the amounts, so check with the organisers if you need certainty.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements
You can apply if you:
- Are a final-year undergraduate or a postgraduate student at a Nigerian tertiary institution
- Study at a university or polytechnic approved by the NUC or NBTE
- Are doing research that is relevant to Nigeria and fits one of the focus areas below
- Have a project that is practical, innovative, original and backed by data
- Can get a written and signed recommendation from your project supervisor
There are no age, gender, religious or ethnic barriers to applying.
Eligible Research Areas
- Financial inclusion
- Microfinance
- Rural development
- Social enterprise
- Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
- Technological development
- Digital finance
- Youth in development
- Women in development
- Any other research aimed at lifting people out of poverty
What Your Research Proposal Should Include
You must submit a research concept of 10 to 20 pages, following the official abstract guide. It should cover:
- Introduction, statement of the problem, research questions and objectives
- Significance and scope of the study
- Literature review (conceptual, empirical and theoretical) and conceptual framework
- Hypotheses, where relevant
- Methodology: research design, study area, population, sample size and sampling technique
- Data collection methods, reliability and validity tests, and data analysis methods
- Ethical considerations and APA-style references
- Your personal profile
Format your document in Microsoft Word, using Times New Roman, size 12 and 1.5 line spacing. Winners must also send a final soft copy of the finished project.
Documents You Need
- A recent passport photograph
- A signed recommendation letter from your project supervisor
- A CV or personal profile (PDF, no more than two pages)
- Your research proposal
- Details of your school, course and year of study
Application Deadline
Applications opened on August 31, 2026 and close on October 23, 2026. Your supervisor’s letter can take time, so ask for it today.
How to Apply for the Grooming Centre University Research Grant 2026
- Visit the official Grooming Centre University Grant website and read the requirements.
- Download the application abstract and listen to the audio guide on the website. Then structure your proposal to match.
- Gather your passport photo, CV and supervisor’s recommendation.
- Fill in the online application form and upload your documents.
- Submit before October 23, 2026.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Pick a real problem you can see in your community, such as access to loans for market traders.
- Use recent data. The official guide asks for empirical reviews from recent years.
- Keep your methods clear and realistic for your time and budget.
- Follow the abstract format exactly. Reviewers notice when you skip sections.
Key Details at a Glance
- Funder: Grooming Centre
- Managed by: CREM
- Who: Final-year undergraduates and postgraduates in Nigeria
- Awards: 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate grants
- Amount: ₦100,000 (undergraduate) and ₦200,000 (postgraduate), as reported
- Deadline: October 23, 2026
- Contact: [email protected]
