SGCI News
As the landscape of global research and innovation is evolving, Africa is taking steps towards building a robust research management system. At the forefront of this transformation is the Southern…
As the landscape of global research and innovation is evolving, Africa is taking steps towards building a robust research management system.
At the forefront of this transformation is the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), whose collaborative efforts with regional Research and Innovation Management Associations (RIMAs) are reshaping how research is managed, funded, and implemented across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s research management capacity is being strengthened through the dedicated efforts of SARIMA and its collaborations with RIMA (Research and Innovation Management Association), EARIMA (East African Research and Innovation Management Association), and WARIMA (West African Research and Innovation Management Association).
This partnership is strengthening the practices and resilience of science granting councils, ensuring effective research and grants management across the region.
Funded by the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), SARIMA’s capacity-building initiatives cover the entire research and grants management cycle.
Through interactive technical visits, science granting councils are empowered to refine their strategic grant management processes and systems, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
SARIMA’s professional competency framework for research management practitioners focuses on key competency areas such as “Research Funding” (pre-award processes) and “Managing Funded Research” (post-award processes).
These areas are in high demand by the councils and are addressed through online training courses and in-country technical assistance.
Recent technical support was provided to councils in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zambia, with more engagements currently under preparation.
These visits provide tailored guidance and support to address specific needs and challenges.
Ghana technical assistance visit
In April 2024, SARIMA/WARIMA conducted a technical assistance visit to the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) in Ghana.
Dr. Akindele Olupelumi Adebiyi and Ms. Nana Oye Akuffo led the three-day programme, which covered RIMAs, professionalisation, research planning and policy development, policy processes, and monitoring and evaluation.
The visit engaged 27 MEST staff members.
Ethiopia technical assistance visit
In October 2024, SARIMA/EARIMA provided technical support to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MiNT) in Ethiopia.
The three-day programme, led by Dr. Doug Sanyahumbi, Ms. Stella Kakeeto, and Ms. Zimasa Sobuza, included an overview of the RIMAs, professionalisation workshops, in-depth sessions on research funding and management, and a review of the research grant application guideline.
Over 40 participants from the council and its stakeholders contributed, providing valuable external perspectives on internal processes and procedures.
Zambia technical assistance visit
In March 2024, SARIMA provided technical support to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in Zambia. Ms. June-Rose Ngcobo, Dr. Patrick Chiza Chikoti, and Ms. Zimasa Sobuza represented SARIMA during the three-day programme, which focused on RIMAs, professionalisation, and in-depth training on research funding and management.
The visit was attended by 14 NSTC staff members.
SARIMA’s ongoing efforts are strengthening research capacity and fostering innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.
By providing targeted technical support and promoting collaboration, SARIMA and its partners are making sure science granting councils drive impactful research and contribute to the region’s development.
Please check out the stories and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!
Let’s continue the conversation on our social media
Follow us on LinkedIn
Related News
Science granting councils hold workshop on digital sustainability
Limited funding, outdated infrastructure are some of the challenges of maintaining a robust digital grants management system in Africa. To tackle these challenges, the Science Granting Councils (SGCs) from across Africa convened in Windhoek, Namibia, last week for a peer-to-peer learning workshop. The workshop was…
Empowering science granting councils on digital transformation
Across the African continent, Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in Africa are key to driving evidence-based science, technology, and innovation policies. These councils play an important role in shaping national development agendas and driving progress through strategic research funding and coordination. They, however, face significant challenges…
Science granting councils lead innovation across Africa
The Science Granting Councils across Africa are increasingly transforming science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystems, the 2024 SGCI annual forum report says. According to the report, the councils have significantly raised their profiles as funding bodies, evidenced by growing interest and proposal submissions from researchers…
