National Research Fund (Kenya)

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.