In the heart of Africa, a pressing challenge looms over the continent’s potential for innovation and growth: funding for research. Despite the African Union’s commitment in 2007 to allocate 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) to research and development, the reality is starkly different. A 2021 UNESCO Science Report revealed that Africa’s investment in research stands at a mere 0.59% of GDP, significantly trailing behind the global average of 1.7%. This shortfall has led to a troubling scenario where many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the continent grapple with inadequate funding, limited research infrastructure, and a low output of impactful research.
The struggle for resources is compounded by fierce competition for grants on a global scale. HEIs in the Global North often have the upper hand, benefiting from established reputations, extensive networks, and greater visibility in the international research community. As a result, African institutions find it increasingly difficult to secure multi-million-dollar grants that could propel their research initiatives forward.
Several factors contribute to this disparity. Many researchers in Africa face challenges such as a limited track record of successful grant applications, restricted access to vital information and resources, and insufficient output that demonstrates their research impact. Additionally, a lack of training in grant writing and proposal development hampers their ability to compete effectively. The need for mentorship and collaboration with international researchers is evident; without these supports, many African scholars struggle to attract the funding necessary for their work.
In response to this urgent need, The Education Collaborative is emerging as a vital platform for change. The Collaborative promotes collaboration among HEIs with a shared vision of improving educational systems and outcomes across Africa. The West Africa Hub of The Education Collaborative has identified strategic goals focused on enhancing careers and employability, faculty development and research, ethics and leadership, and improving sub-Saharan rankings.
One notable initiative under the research and faculty development focal area is a grant writing capacity-building program led by Covenant University in Nigeria, with support from The Education Collaborative. This initiative aims to equip researchers within the West Africa Hub with essential skills in crafting compelling grant proposals. Over four months, four interactive webinar sessions were conducted to guide participants through various aspects of successful grant writing.
The first session focused on “Crafting a Winning Research Idea,” helping participants refine their concepts into proposals that align with funding objectives by identifying gaps in existing research.
The second session taught “Mastering the Art of Persuasive Writing,” emphasizing how to structure proposals effectively while communicating their significance.
Next came “Navigating the Grant Application Process,” which provided practical tips on managing application portals and understanding submission guidelines.
Finally, participants learned about “Budgeting Essentials,” gaining insights into creating realistic budgets that justified their research needs.
The impact of these sessions was profound; over 1,000 participants from institutions across West and East Africa reported significant improvements in their understanding of grant writing. One participant expressed optimism about future collaborations: “I expect that from here, there will be great improvement and collaboration in my grant applications.”
Looking ahead, Covenant University, with support from The Education Collaborative, will host a two-day in-person workshop on December 2nd and 3rd, 2024, where participants will gain hands-on experience in developing compelling proposals. This workshop will select researchers interested in collaborative grant applications from diverse backgrounds—ensuring representation across genders and career stages to develop joint proposals to attract funding.
Through such initiatives, there is hope that African researchers will not only enhance their capacity to attract funding but also contribute significantly to the continent’s growing body of knowledge and innovation.
