Kenya

Science Granting Council

Summary

To mobilize resources for research, capacity development, dissemination of findings and maintenance of inventory for the advancement of Science Technology and Innovation for Sustainable National Development

Council details

The National Research Fund (NRF) in Kenya advances science, technology, and innovation (STI) for sustainable national development. It operates under the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Higher Education and Research, overseeing funding for Kenya’s STI system.

The NRF mobilises and manages financial resources from government, private sector, venture capital, and development partners to fund research. It works alongside two key sister agencies: National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation, which regulates STI, and Kenya National Innovation Agency, which supports research commercialisation.

A key focus of the NRF is funding postgraduate research and strengthening institutions, especially universities, across the country.

Strengthening Research Through SGCI

The NRF has been part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) since 2018 and joined both SGCI Phase I and II. Participation in SGCI has boosted NRF’s capacity in research funding, grant management, and science policy development.

Through SGCI, staff have received targeted training in monitoring and evaluation, intellectual property rights, gender equality, and science communication. These efforts have improved how the NRF designs, evaluates, and communicates research outputs to maximise impact.

Hosting the SGCI Annual Forum and GRC Meeting 2023

In 2023, Kenya hosted the SGCI Annual Forum and Global Research Council (GRC) Meeting in Nairobi. Organised by National Research Fund, the event brought together research leaders, funders, and policymakers from Africa and around the world.

The forum encouraged sharing of best practices, building partnerships, and addressing global research challenges collaboratively.

Leadership Perspective: Driving Kenya’s Research Future

In a recent interview, Professor Dickson Andala, CEO of NRF, reflected on the organisation’s progress since becoming operational in 2013. He highlighted SGCI’s role in building institutional capacity and strengthening local and international collaboration.

He also noted that SGCI has helped Kenya expand its global research visibility and align with international research standards. The NRF remains dedicated to supporting innovation through strategic funding, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. With continued SGCI support, NRF aims to grow Kenya’s STI ecosystem and support Africa’s sustainable development.

Impact we’re having

Low-tech health app engages

Five years after its launch, PENSA – a mobile app developed in Mozambique— has been accessed by…

Read Story

SGCI funded projects

African boy holding a newborn baby

Kenyan Universities develop solutions for tungiasis, neonatal care, food security

Project Titles & Institution Areas of Research: Food/ nutritional security, and health Number of Projects being funded: 3 multi-institutional 2-year projects including private enterprises Project Duration: 18 months Grant Amount: 14M – 15M KES In-Kind…

Related News

Farmers in Shianda Kakamega county being trained on the vegetable preservation technologies using the solar dryer and the charcoal coolant on March 7 2025

Women researchers driving change through SGCI-funded projects

Across Africa, women are contributing to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and leading transformative projects that tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Through their work, they are breaking stereotypes, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of girls to see themselves…

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), in collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire’s Fonds pour la Science, la Technologie et l'Innovation (FONSTI), recently convened the second annual Research and Innovation Management (RIM) Symposium in Abidjan

Highlights from the second research management symposium

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), in collaboration with CĂ´te d’Ivoire’s Fonds pour la Science, la Technologie et l’Innovation (FONSTI), recently convened the second annual Research and Innovation Management (RIM) Symposium in Abidjan. The symposium gathered Science Granting Councils (SGCs), researchers, development partners, and…

FONSTI launches policies to boost research governance

The Fund for Science, Technology, and Innovation (FONSTI) has made a significant move in strengthening CĂ´te d’Ivoire’s national research system by officially launching eight institutional policies. The polices were launched during a high-level workshop in Grand-Bassam held from 15 to 16 July under the theme…