Opportunities
Shape the Future of Climate Action in Africa
We host, fund, and support ambitious transdisciplinary teams to translate existing climate data into real-world policy and community impact.
What to expect
What to expect when you land at UCT
ASCEND is built to remove the friction from collaborative synthesis research, so teams can spend their energy on the science and its translation into action.
Very Low Administrative Burden
We act as your administrative anchor, absorbing the complex logistics, contracting, and coordination details so your team can focus exclusively on collaborative research and action.
Cutting-Edge Infrastructure
Gain access to specialised physical and virtual workspaces, high-performance computing resources, and professional, expert-led team planning and facilitation.
Next-Generation Synthesis AI
Work alongside advanced, custom-built AI tools designed specifically to accelerate the integration and synthesis of vast, diverse environmental and socio-economic datasets, evidence, and knowledge.
Capacity Strengthening
We provide dedicated training that bridges the gap between research, policy, and implementation. We teach early-career researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners how to effectively integrate scientific evidence into decisions and action from local to global scales.
Global South Leadership
Be part of a deliberate mission to reshape power dynamics in global climate research. We provide the platform for Global South experts to set the research agenda, lead pioneering teams, make new discoveries, and deliver equitable solutions.
Apply
Opportunities and how to apply
We invite applications from researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds across Africa and around the world.
Propose a Synthesis Team (Open Calls)
We periodically open competitive calls for collaborative, transdisciplinary synthesis teams.
- Who should apply
- Co-led teams consisting of researchers, policymakers and/or practitioners from governments, research institutions, communities, civil society and the private sector.
- Focus areas
- Projects must be ambitious, action-oriented, and focused on synthesising existing data, evidence, and knowledge to address critical climate change related challenges.
- What we provide
- Full funding for travel and accommodation for multiple in-person team meetings in Cape Town, technical resources, facilitation support, and communications support.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
ASCEND offers fully-funded postdoctoral research opportunities designed to cultivate the next generation of African climate leaders.
- Who should apply
- Recent PhD graduates in environmental or social science, policy, health sciences, data science, or related fields who are passionate about transdisciplinary synthesis and enhancing climate action.
- The experience
- You will be embedded within active synthesis teams, receive mentorship from leading global climate experts, and participate in comprehensive policy and data-science training programs.
Selection
Application criteria
Equity and Justice
Does the project actively address power imbalances and focus on the needs of vulnerable populations and places?
Transdisciplinary Integration
Does the team unite diverse sectors such as academia, civil society, and government to solve a multi-layered problem?
Data Synthesis Value
Does the research leverage existing datasets, evidence or knowledge to generate fresh, actionable insights rather than calling for new data collection?
Clear Pathway to Action
Does the proposal outline concrete ways the research has been co-designed with knowledge users and how outputs such as toolkits, geospatial maps, and policy briefs will be integrated directly into decision-making or practice?
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Register your interest
One form for every opportunity
Tell us which opportunity you are interested in and a little about your work. Our team reviews every submission ahead of each call cycle.
Looking to fund this work instead? Explore our partnership pathways.