Research in Sub-Saharan Africa boosted through a new partnership and funding

Research councils play a central role in a functioning research system. The possibilities for African researchers to obtain funding will now be enhanced through a new partnership between Canada’s IDRC and Sida to the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI).

SGCI is strengthening the capacities of 15 science granting councils across Sub-Saharan Africa in order to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development. Under this new partnership, Sida is joining the group of original SGCI funders by investing SEK 80 million while the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is contributing an additional CA$2.5 million.

For research capacity to make a long-term impact, Sida takes a systems approach to allow for sustainability of the efforts. Support to national research councils is a key element of this system. The goal is for countries to become independent in decisions in research – and not to be dependent on foreign donors who only give earmarked projects.

“Participating in the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa with other funders, provides an excellent opportunity to support more Science Granting Councils in African countries to develop and improve in their roles for the benefit of their scientists and further development of their countries,” says Hannah Akuffo, Lead Specialist in Research at Sida and professor in Parasitology.

The SGCI is acknowledged by policy-makers, researchers and donors as a leading model for building the capacity to fund and manage excellent research for development in Africa.

The new IDRC-Sida partnership is being launched on November 5, 2018 at the opening of a meeting in Abidjan, focusing on new approaches for funding research and innovation in Africa. Of particular interest to Sida are discussions on the management of research calls with the national councils. Particular attention will also be given to research quality as well as the thematic issues of gender and inclusivity that also are on the agenda.

Original source: Sida
Published on 5 December 2018