A grant writing workshop kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday November 25th 2024, organised by the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) bringing together 20 scholars. This training taking place at Utalii Hotel, Nairobi is specifically designed for Rsif postdoctoral fellows and aims to equip them with crucial skills and strategies necessary for developing competitive research grant proposals.
The workshop conducted under the project For Strengthening Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Training in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology in Africa (DOCTAS) and supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will focus on various aspects of grant writing, including identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling narratives, and understanding the essential components of a successful proposal. Participants will also learn how to align their project goals with donor requirements, thereby enhancing their chances of securing funding for their research initiatives.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, Dr Everlyn Nguku, The Head of Capacity Building and Institutional Development at icipe said, “This workshop has been carefully designed to be both practical and interactive. You will not only learn about the essential components of successful grant applications but will also engage in hands-on writing sessions, peer reviews, and receive personalized feedback. By the end of this week, each of you should have developed concrete skills in proposal writing, budget development, and understanding governance and ethical considerations in research funding, as well as have a proposal that should be submitted for funding.”
“As members of the Rsif community, your research potential and its impact on addressing regional challenges is significant. This workshop represents our commitment to supporting your growth as researchers and future research leaders.
I encourage you to fully engage with the program, share your experiences, and take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your grant writing capabilities,” Dr Nguku stated.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen research capacity in Africa by empowering researchers with the tools they need to effectively compete for grants. By improving their grant writing skills, the fellows will be better positioned to contribute innovative solutions to local and global challenges through their research endeavours.
Dr Mwende Mbilo, an Rsif Alumna from Kenya who attended the workshop stated that this is not only a learning opportunity but a living experience which is impactful. “I am learning all the steps in grant writing process and what it means to develop a good proposal to help us in advancing our research,” she stated.
On his part Dr Saani Nassam Iddrisu an Rsif alumnus from Ghana said this is a great opportunity to learn about great proposal writing.
“I was excited about learning what to include in a grant proposal especially in identifying team members to work with,” he stated.
The workshop reflects a growing recognition of the importance of funding in advancing scientific research and innovation in Africa, ensuring that researchers are well-prepared to navigate the competitive landscape of grant applications.