African research institutions face numerous challenges in securing consistent, significant funding for their research activities. Government funding is minimal, and while there are emerging opportunities for external funding, success requires a nuanced approach to grant writing, partnerships, and strategic positioning. The competitive nature of research grants and the conditions set by funders require African institutions to enhance their financial systems, improve proposal quality, and foster stronger collaborations both within and outside the continent.
- Government Funding: Limited Allocations to Research
African governments allocate very little funding to research, making it difficult for institutions to conduct independent studies or pursue innovative projects. For instance, only 0.77% of Kenya’s GDP goes towards research, which is significantly below the global average and the recommended 2%. This shortfall places a heavy reliance on external sources for research funding.
1.1 Science Granting Councils
Science Granting Councils like Kenya’s National Research Fund (NRF) have emerged as important vehicles for supporting research within African countries. However, these councils themselves are often underfunded and unable to support the full scope of research needs across various fields.
- Donor Funding and External Support
Due to the scarcity of government funds, African institutions frequently rely on donor funding from bilateral and multilateral organizations.
2.1 Bilateral Organizations
Bilateral organizations such as USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and DFID (Department for International Development, UK) provide targeted funding for research, usually tied to specific developmental agendas like health, education, and poverty reduction. These organizations tend to work closely with African governments and institutions to ensure that funds are directed towards projects that align with their strategic goals.
2.2 Multilateral Organizations
Multilateral organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) fund research in areas such as public health, with the aim of improving global health outcomes. The World Bank also plays a significant role, often funding centres of excellence in Africa that are capable of managing large sums of money effectively and efficiently.
2.3 Charitable Foundations
The largest source of research funding often comes from charitable foundations, with the Wellcome Trust, for example, controlling £30 billion in funds for global health research. These foundations focus on addressing critical global issues, particularly in health and development, and they often partner with African institutions to carry out their missions.
2.4 Emerging Funders
New funding sources are emerging, such as the Africa Research Excellence Fund, African Development Bank, CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa), and the Science for Africa Foundation. These organizations are specifically designed to boost Africa’s research capabilities and reduce dependency on Western funders.
- Finding the Right Funding Model
African research institutions need to balance Quality and Excellence (Q&E) with equity. While only a few institutions can compete globally on the basis of excellence alone, many emerging institutions have the potential to grow and improve through strategic collaborations.
3.1 Balancing Q&E with Equity
Many funding agencies now prioritize balancing quality research with equity, encouraging collaborations between stronger and developing institutions. This model has led to partnerships where institutions in Africa can learn from each other, improving their ability to attract future funding while maintaining high standards.
- SOAP Principle for Securing Research Funding
The SOAP Principle offers a structured approach to identifying and working with funders effectively. This method emphasizes the importance of understanding and aligning with the funder’s goals:
- Select: Carefully select funders who align with your research and be prepared to comply with their conditions.
- Ownership: Clearly understand what the funder wants, including their goals and expectations.
- Application: Stick to the provided templates and guidelines when submitting grant applications.
- Partnership: Maintain ongoing communication with funders through regular meetings and updates.
By following the SOAP principle, African institutions can establish stronger relationships with funders and increase the likelihood of receiving grants.
- Research Novelty and Innovation
Funders are increasingly interested in research that addresses novel and important problems. To attract funding, African researchers should focus on:
- New Problems: Identifying emerging or understudied issues that have significant societal impact.
- Ignored Materials: Focusing on materials or issues that have been overlooked by other researchers.
- New Techniques: Applying innovative methods or techniques to solve existing problems.
- Transdisciplinary Approaches: Using interdisciplinary strategies to approach problems from new angles.
Novelty in research is a key criterion for attracting competitive funding, as it helps funders see the unique contribution a project can make.
- Understanding Funders’ Needs
It’s important to remember that funders give money to satisfy their own needs, not those of the institution. African institutions need to present their research in a way that aligns with the funders’ priorities. For example, health funders might focus on disease eradication, while development funders might prioritize poverty reduction.
- Reducing Risk to Attract Funders
Funders are risk-averse and prefer to give money to institutions or researchers with an established reputation. African institutions can reduce the perceived risk by:
- Building a Name: Developing a track record of successful research and grant management.
- Finding Collaborators with a Strong Reputation: Partnering with well-established institutions can increase trust and visibility.
- Visibility: Improving online presence and maintaining updated profiles on academic platforms such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and SCOPUS is crucial. A strong online presence gives funders confidence that the institution is active and reputable.
- Reasons Why Research Proposals Fail
Even good proposals fail for a variety of reasons:
- Requesting More Funds Than Available: Many proposals are unsuccessful simply because the requested amount exceeds the available funds.
- High Competition: Up to 80% of proposals fail not because they are bad but because the available funds are insufficient to support all applicants.
To improve their chances, African institutions should ensure that their proposals are realistic in terms of budget and clearly aligned with the priorities of the funding agency.
- Funders Are Funded by Funders
It’s essential to remember that funders are accountable to their own funding sources. This means they must choose grantees who they can trust to manage funds efficiently and effectively.
9.1 Website and Online Presence
Funders frequently check the websites of potential grantees. If a website is outdated, incomplete, or unclear, it may result in automatic disqualification. Updating institutional profiles on platforms like Google Scholar and ResearchGate is essential for increasing visibility and credibility.
9.2 Track Record
Having a proven track record of successful project completion, timely reporting, and effective use of previous funding plays a crucial role in securing future grants.
- Improving Communication and Relationship Management
Maintaining ongoing relationships with funders is crucial. Regular communication and engagement with funders help build trust and improve the likelihood of success in future proposals. Institutions should:
- Manage Relationships: Keep open lines of communication with funders before, during, and after submitting proposals.
- Update Profiles: Regularly update profiles on major academic platforms to reflect new research, publications, and partnerships.
- Using Platforms like the Community of Science
Tools like the Community of Science (https://communityscience.astc.org/overview/) provide access to databases of funding agencies, allowing institutions to find potential funders that match their research focus. By leveraging such platforms, African institutions can expand their pool of funding opportunities.
Conclusion
To overcome the funding challenges they face, African research institutions must be proactive in enhancing their financial management, improving institutional visibility, and adopting better proposal writing strategies. Institutions need to align their research with the needs of funders, maintain transparent and updated online profiles, and cultivate long-term relationships with potential collaborators and funders. By focusing on reducing risk, developing partnerships, and following structured approaches like the SOAP principle, African institutions can significantly improve their chances of securing vital funding for research projects.
