The Ersilia AI Incubator 2027 is a research opportunity for scientists based at African institutions who want to use artificial intelligence in drug discovery for global health.
The programme brings together Ersilia, the H3D Foundation and AITHYRA Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence to help African research teams apply AI tools to existing infectious-disease drug discovery projects.
Applications for the 2027 programme opened on August 17, 2026, and close on October 19, 2026. The Ersilia AI Incubator is best suited to researchers who already have a meaningful drug discovery project and want to explore how AI can make their work more effective. Applicants should therefore focus less on simply saying they are interested in AI and more on showing a clear scientific problem that AI could help them investigate.
About the Ersilia AI Incubator 2027
Ersilia is a technology nonprofit focused on using open-source artificial intelligence to support research into infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.
The AI Incubator is designed around a practical idea: rather than asking researchers to start an entirely new project, the programme helps them explore how AI can be applied to an existing drug discovery project.
The 2027 programme will run for 24 weeks, from February to July 2027. Research groups can include up to four researchers, and participants will receive online mentorship as well as an in-person workshop. The programme also offers financial support of up to US$10,000 per project.
Program type: AI/Research Incubator
Category: Research Fellowship / Research Training Program
Field: Artificial Intelligence, Drug Discovery & Global Health
Target: PhD researchers, lead researchers, and principal investigators at African institutions
Duration: 24 weeks (February-July 2027)
Funding: Up to US$10,000 per project
AI experience: No prior AI/ML experience is required
What Does the AI Incubator Offer?
Financial support
Selected projects can receive financial support of up to US$10,000 per project.
AI and research mentorship
Participants receive support as they explore how AI tools can be incorporated into their existing drug discovery work.
24-week programme
The incubator runs for approximately six months, from February through July 2027.
Online mentorship
Much of the programme is delivered through online mentorship and support.
In-person workshop
The programme also includes an in-person workshop, allowing participants to work more directly with other researchers and programme experts.w
No previous AI/ML experience required
One particularly useful feature is that applicants do not need previous AI or machine-learning experience. The focus is on having a relevant scientific project and a clear use case for AI. (LinkedIn)
Who Can Apply?
The programme is aimed at researchers working at African institutions.
Applicants or teams should:
- Conduct research at an academic or nonprofit institution in the WHO African Region.
- Be working on a drug discovery project relevant to global health.
- Have a clear potential use case for AI.
- Be able to commit time to the programme.
- Be able to communicate and work in English.
Teams can contain up to four researchers.
PhD students may serve as lead applicants if they have the explicit support of their principal investigator, although participation from senior members of the research team is encouraged.
What Type of Research Is Suitable?
The programme is particularly interested in small-molecule drug discovery projects, including projects involving isolated natural products, with a focus on infectious diseases of global-health importance.
Examples can include research connected with:
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Neglected tropical diseases
Applicants should be able to explain exactly where AI could add value to their existing research. Also, a proposal that simply starts an entirely new research direction is not the main purpose of the incubator.
Who Is the Programme For?
This opportunity is most relevant to:
- PhD researchers
- Early-career scientists
- Principal investigators
- Drug discovery researchers
- Biomedical researchers
- Research teams working on infectious diseases
- Scientists interested in applying AI to existing laboratory or computational research
Well, it is not intended as a general AI scholarship. Applicants need a suitable research project in drug discovery and global health.
Benefits of the Ersilia AI Incubator
Successful applicants can receive:
- Up to US$10,000 in financial support per project
- Up to 24 weeks of structured programme support
- Online mentorship
- An in-person workshop
- Guidance on applying AI tools to drug discovery
- Exposure to researchers working at the intersection of AI and global health
- Opportunities to strengthen AI-related research capacity
- Collaboration opportunities with other African researchers
Ersilia’s broader mission is to make AI-supported drug discovery tools more accessible to scientists in resource-limited settings.
What Should Applicants Prepare?
Because the incubator is built around existing research projects, applicants should be prepared to explain:
- Their current research project
- The infectious disease or global-health problem being addressed
- Their drug discovery approach
- The scientific question they are investigating
- Where AI could help
- Why AI would be useful for the project
- What they hope to accomplish during the incubator
- Who will participate in the research team
Applicants should make the AI use case specific rather than simply saying that they are interested in artificial intelligence.
How to Apply for the Ersilia AI Incubator 2027
Kindly follow the steps below for the program application process.
Step 1: Check the eligibility requirements
Confirm that your research institution and project fit the programme’s African-institution and global-health requirements.
Step 2: Identify your research team
You can apply as an individual or as part of a research group of up to four researchers, depending on the programme requirements.
Step 3: Define your AI use case
Think carefully about the part of your existing drug discovery project where AI could provide practical value.
Step 4: Prepare the project information
Gather the information needed to describe your research project, scientific objectives, and proposed use of AI.
Step 5: Complete the application
Submit your application through the programme’s official application process.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline
Applications open on August 17, 2026, and close on October 19, 2026.
Programme Timeline
Applications: August 17 – October 19, 2026
Programme: February – July 2027
Duration: 24 weeks
Financial support: Up to US$10,000 per project
The biggest thing applicants should understand is that this is not a general grant for any scientific project involving AI.
Official Ersilia website
The current 2027 call is also being announced by Ersilia and its programme partners through their official channels.
Ersilia AI Incubator 2027 – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ersilia AI Incubator?
It is a research programme designed to help scientists at African institutions apply AI tools to drug discovery projects focused on global health.
Do I need previous AI experience?
No, the programme states that previous AI or machine-learning experience is not required.
How much financial support is available?
The programme offers financial support of up to US$10,000 per project.
Can PhD students apply?
Yes, PhD students can act as lead applicants if they have explicit support from their principal investigator.
How many people can be on a team?
Research groups can include up to four researchers.
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