Two African Scientists Win $150,000 Research Grants
Ugandan microbiologist Dr John Paul Makumbi and Rwandan tree physiologist Dr Olivier Jean Leonce Manzi have been named the 2026 winners of the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant.
The two scientists were announced as winners on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during the Oppenheimer Research Conference in Midrand, South Africa. Each will receive a grant of USD 150,000 to fund an Africa-led research project for up to three years.
The researchers, both aged 33, were selected from 747 applications submitted from across the continent. Their projects focus on identifying early signs of environmental decline, with the aim of helping communities and environmental managers respond to ecological threats before they become more serious.
Makumbi, a researcher at Stellenbosch University, will use microbial DNA and genomic analysis to develop an early-warning system for pollution and ecosystem decline in Africa’s rivers, lakes and wetlands. His research will examine how microbes respond to environmental changes and identify signals linked to pollution and disruptions in ecosystems.
The study will cover water systems in several African countries, including the Lake Victoria basin in Uganda, the Ebrié Lagoon system in Côte d’Ivoire, the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, as well as urban waterways in South Africa and eSwatini.
Meanwhile, Manzi, a research fellow at the University of Rwanda, will investigate how Central African forests respond to increasing heat and drought. His project will examine the hydraulic and thermal limits of tree species and develop a continent-scale dataset to help scientists understand how forests could respond to future climate conditions.
Manzi said research data on Central African forests remains limited compared with other regions, leaving some areas experiencing rapid climate change with less scientific evidence about how their forests may respond.
Both researchers also plan to strengthen African research capacity through their projects. Manzi intends to involve students in fieldwork, laboratory research and modelling, while Makumbi’s project will train postgraduate researchers and technical staff in participating countries.
Dr Duncan MacFadyen, Head of Research and Conservation at Oppenheimer Generations, said the large number of applications made the selection process highly competitive. He said the decision to award the grant to two researchers reflected the strength of both proposals.
The Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant honours the late Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer and supports African-led research addressing environmental challenges, promoting collaboration across the continent and developing the next generation of African researchers.
