Understanding the role and effectiveness of UK and East Africa higher education partnerships
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-22)

Closed: The FCDO invited tenders by 17 October 2025 to examine the effectiveness of the UK’s higher education partnerships in East Africa, including the extent to which these partnerships are equitable, collaborative, and deliver measurable benefits to both parties.

This opportunity closed on 17 October 2025.

The UK has a long history of developing Higher Education (HE) partnerships across Africa, including in the focus countries of this study, and continues to support a wide range of initiatives and programmes that foster university partnerships.

These partnerships are rooted in long-standing colonial ties, post-independence capacity building, and more recently development cooperation. Early collaborations between the UK and East Africa focused on establishing and strengthening local universities. Partnerships were established to facilitate academic exchanges, and scholarship schemes including Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships created to provide opportunities for students to come to the UK.

What the fund will achieve

This study aims to review the shifting landscape of HE partnerships in Africa and the UK’s position within this. It should map existing HE partnerships to understand the nature, scope, duration and value of these engagements and the motivation and incentives behind these on the part of East African and British universities (including areas of mutual benefit).

The study will analyse the effectiveness of these partnerships in delivering outcomes for both regions and produce case studies of innovative approaches that go beyond Official Development Assistance (ODA) financing, offering lessons for future UK engagement.

Finally, it will provide recommendations on how the UK can leverage HE partnerships more effectively to build soft power and establish itself as a strategic and equitable partner in the sector.

Requirements for organisations wishing to apply

This opportunity is open to organisations in all ODA-eligible countries (https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/oda-eligibility-and-conditions/dac-list-of-oda-recipients.html).
- a lead researcher or team leader with at 10 years’ experience in education research, political economy analysis or international development
- qualitative research leads in each of the five focal countries with demonstrated local networks and field experience
- a communication and research uptake specialist to ensure findings are accessible and engaging for diverse audiences (for example, policy briefs, infographics, digital content, stakeholder events)
- internationally recognised experience and expertise in conducting similar research studies in the field of higher education in both UK and East Africa
- proven experience in political economy analysis, international development or geopolitics in East Africa
- familiarity with the UK and East Africa’s higher education landscape including the key actors, sectoral policies and policy frameworks
- demonstrated experience conducting research in East Africa, and strong academic and policy networks in each of the focus countries
- knowledge of soft power dynamics, public diplomacy and influence mechanisms in development cooperation.
How to apply

You should email your technical and commercial proposal to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) by 5pm East African Time on 17 October 2025. Bids received after this will not be considered.

Call for proposals application guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c826bc8dd3590c7dd7aea4/CfP-Application-Guidance.odt)

Letter of invitation to tender (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82bbf027feb50d8d7aec2/EvF-Letter-of-Invitation-Mapping-Higher-Education-Partnerships-in-EA.odt)

Volume 1: Invitaion to tender instructions and evaluation criteria mapping (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68cad3da05e625519a6ca013/Volume-1-ITT-Instructions-and-Evaluation-Criteria-Mapping-HE-Partnerships.odt)

Volume 2: Terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82c2853f33f9d46e20701/Volume-2-ToR-Mapping-Higher-Education-Partnerships-in-East-Africa.odt)

Volume 3: Application form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82c45995dfd01bff0bf07/Volume-3-Application-Form.odt)

Volume 4: Commercial pro formas (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82c5c027feb50d8d7aec3/Volume-4-Commercial-Pro-Formas.ods)

Volume 5: Pro forma contract (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82c7d53f33f9d46e20704/Volume-5-Pro-Forma-Contract.odt)

Volume 6: Evidence Fund conflict of interest policy and safeguarding policy (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82cb7027feb50d8d7aec4/Volume-6-Conflict-of-Interest-Safeguarding-Policy.odt)

Volume 7: Letter and declaration to accompany tenders (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c82cc65e09a4a59af0beea/Volume-7-Letter-and-Declaration-to-Accompany-Tenders.odt)

Contact

Procurement Manager: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)