Resources

A needs assessment is a vital process that identifies gaps between current practices and desired outcomes. It helps organisations overcome challenges by setting priorities and allocating resources effectively. In the context of research and grants management in Africa, this ensures improved efficiency, better decision-making, and long-term impact for institutions supporting scientific advancement across the continent….

Across sub-Saharan Africa, Science Granting Councils (SGCs) play a vital role in funding research and innovation. However, many still face challenges in managing grants and building long-term capacity. To address this, the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), alongside partners like CREST and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), launched a major initiative…

This report on sustainable research management presents findings from a capacity needs assessment survey. Conducted across 15 Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in Sub-Saharan Africa between July and December 2016, the survey sought to identify key training and development areas. Led by the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), the survey aimed to…

The report on ‘Capacity Strengthening of SGCs’ is focused on how the contribution of innovation in Africa to economic growth can be understood and measured, as well as its impact across multiple sectors. Importance of innovation and research in Africa Innovation and research are regarded as vital to solving imminent problems faced by nations and…

Research into the political economy of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has resulted in multiple findings and recommendations that will help develop and guide the work of SGCI. The study supports the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF)….

Research ethics in Africa play a critical role; they are the foundation of good research and protect the well-being of all involved. By minimising bias and avoiding exploitation, they also contribute to more accurate and reliable results. Consequently, this builds integrity and trust among policymakers and the public. Conversely, questionable practices in innovation and research…

Cocoa is an essential crop in Uganda. In fact, it ranks as the country’s fourth-largest foreign income earner. Most of the cocoa comes from small-scale farmers working on less than a hectare of land. But these farmers face significant challenges, especially when it comes to fermentation, a crucial step in producing high-quality cocoa beans. This…

The team developed the toolkit Communicating with the Private Sector to help Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in Africa improve how they communicate with the private sector and support research and development. As a result, once participants complete the training, they will be able to build partnerships between research institutions and businesses. Why communicating with the…

Confidentiality agreements in collaborative research are vital, particularly in public-private partnerships. They actively protect sensitive data and control access. This is particularly relevant in large, multi-institutional projects funded by science councils. Establishing clear agreements on data usage and sharing is critical. These agreements allow researchers to manage differing expectations and safeguard outputs more effectively. In…

The COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund was created as an initiative to prepare African research and science engagement communities in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the urgent and evolving public health crisis, the Fund sought to support rapid, relevant, and locally led interventions. Specifically, the Fund aimed to catalyse…