Building Sustainable Research Management Capacity in Science Granting Councils in Sub-Saharan Africa (April 2015 – March 2020)
The Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) in partnership with the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), brought their networks and expertise together to implement sustainable research management capacity initiatives in the participating Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa. These networks expanded through the participation of associate partners across Africa, including Central African Research and Innovation Management Association (CARIMA), West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) and East African Research and Innovation Management Association (EARIMA).
SARIMA led the Research Management thematic area to create a broader and deeper awareness of research management of Science Granting Councils in 15 different sub-Saharan countries: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This initiative combined training, technical assistance, and peer learning to strengthen institutional systems, enhance professional capacity, and promote a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing among Science Granting Councils (SGCs).
Key Contributions to the SGCI I
Capacity Strengthening: More than 200 SGC staff were trained through workshops and structured learning programmes. Six Wits-certified courses were developed, with online delivery enabling participation from 13 countries.
Professionalisation of Research Management: The initiative advanced recognition of research management as a profession through the promotion of the Professional Competency Framework (PCF), strengthening skills, standards, and career pathways.
Technical Assistance & Systems strengthening: Targeted technical support was provided to 14 countries, focusing on grant management systems, strengthening grant processes, monitoring and evaluation, research quality frameworks, and introducing advanced practices such as scientometrics.
Knowledge Exchange & Networks: strengthened regional and international collaboration through learning visits, benchmarking exercises, conferences, and expert mentoring, building a culture of shared learning and best practice.
Tools, Resources & Dissemination: A wide range of practical tools, guidelines, and training materials were developed and shared through workshops, publications, and an interactive project platform.
Generic-Manual-for-the-Management-of-Research-Grants.pdf
SGCI Phase 1 established a strong foundation for research management across participating councils. It enhanced existing capacity, addressed critical system gaps, and positioned SGCs for sustained growth, improved governance, and greater research impact across Africa.
SGCI funding partners: International Development Research Centre (Canada), Department for International Development (United Kingdom), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sweden) and National Research Foundation (South Africa)
