Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa / Initiative des conseils subventionnaires de la recherche scientifique en Afrique subsaharienne

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https://hdl.handle.net/10625/56810

Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa

Science granting councils are central to funding and catalyzing research and innovation. A recent scoping study supported by IDRC in 17 Sub-Saharan African countries underscored the increasingly important role of these councils in national science systems.

Partnership Objectives

The Science Granting Council Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa will promote effective science granting councils that will strengthen national science systems and lead to nationally led research that contributes to development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The four objectives of the program are to strengthen the ability of participating councils to:

  • manage research;
  • design and monitor research programs based on the use of robust STI indicators;
  • support knowledge exchange with the private sector; and
  • establish partnerships between science granting councils and other science system actors.

Learn more about the Science Granting Councils Intiative



Initiative des conseils subventionnaires de la recherche scientifique en Afrique subsaharienne

Les conseils subventionnaires de la recherche scientifique sont essentiels au financement et à la promotion de la recherche et de l’innovation.

Objectifs en matière de partenariat

L’initiative des conseils subventionnaires de la recherche scientifique en Afrique subsaharienne encouragera les conseils subventionnaires de la recherche scientifique qui, par leur efficacité, renforceront les réseaux scientifiques nationaux et mèneront à l’établissement d’efforts nationaux en matière de recherche, qui contribueront au développement de l’Afrique subsaharienne.

Les quatre objectifs du programme consistent à renforcer la capacité des conseils participants :

  • à gérer la recherche;
  • à concevoir et à superviser des programmes de recherche fondés sur l’utilisation d’indicateurs de science, de technologie et d’innovation rigoureux;
  • à favoriser l’échange de connaissances avec le secteur privé;
  • à établir des partenariats entre eux et avec d’autres acteurs des réseaux scientifiques.

En savoir plus sur l'initiative


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Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 20 of 91
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    Piloting the production and distribution of a low cost ‘protein and micro-nutrient rich cricket feed from food waste in Kampala (Food Waste-2-Cricket Feed) project
    (2023) Ssepuuya, Geoffrey; Mulondo, Patrick Kasanya; Nsiyona, Elsie; Nampala, Paul; Alowo, Jane Frances
    Sub-Saharan Africa is facing high levels of hunger and malnutrition alongside the highest growing population in the world, and a high annual per capita food loss/waste of 120 -170 kg. Our innovation is to use the increasing food waste by the increasing population to generate cricket feed for insect (cricket) protein production. This research has established: (i) that a daily production of 768 metric tons of food waste in Kampala; (ii) a processing protocol for converting food waste to a safe and shelf-stable cricket feed; (iii) that the developed feed (21 - 27 % protein) can support cricket growth and development similar to the conventional feed; (iv) a return on investment of 50.1 % for the developed feed compared to 11 % when farmers use their own feed.
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    Increasing wheat production and productivity through science-based knowledge and innovations for a competitive wheat manufacturing value chain in Uganda
    (2023) Chemayek, B.; Baguma, C.; Wasukira, A.; Walimbwa, K.; Woniala, B.
    This presentation includes information on increasing wheat productivity in Uganda, including materials and methods and results of advance yield trials.
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    Fractionation of Ugandan shea butter into commercial shea stearin and shea olein
    (2023-12) Omujal, Francis; Okullo, John Bosco Lamoris; Agwaya, Moses Solomon; Kirabo, Irene; Natukunda, Sheilla
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    Development of mass rearing tools and value addition for the Dessert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskal) value chain in East Africa
    (2023-12) Ogendo, Joshua. O.; Nakimbugwe, Dorothy; Ssepuuya, Geoffrey; Obura, Evans
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    Science Granting Council Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa : annual forum, 4-6 December 2022 - Cape Town, South Africa
    (2023) Ogada, Tom
    On the 5th of December 2022, the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) convened its Annual Forum Meeting during the 2022 World Science Forum at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. The forum brought together representatives from Science Granting Councils (SGCs) and other Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) stakeholders to share findings and engender learning and reflection. The meeting also aimed at strengthening the linkages between the Councils and other STI system actors. The one day event provided an important opportunity to discuss progress of activities as well as consider impacts on the broader STI system. The delegates left the meeting with a new understanding of foresight studies, an update on key achievement areas within the SGCI and new knowledge on the role of political economy in shaping the work of the Councils.
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    Science Granting Council Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa : learning consolidation workshop report, 27-28 February 2023 - Accra, Ghana
    (2023) Akon-Yamga, Gordon; Mahama, Abdalla
    This two-day workshop also served as the final meeting of the first phase of the SGCI-2 (2018-2023). As well, it provided an opportunity for the Initiative to continue discussions started at the 2022 Annual Forum held in Cape Town, South Africa, on the SGCI-2 achievements and lessons. The meeting had five objectives. Four of these are outlined below together with the main takeaway points from the meeting regarding each objective. The fifth objective relates to the physical meeting itself and the bringing together of Initiative members as well as other key STI stakeholders to share experiences.
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    External evaluation of the Science Granting Council Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa : annexes
    (2022-11-18) Sadeski, Francie; Abogne, Stéphanie; Nielsen, Kalle; Travaly, Youssef; D’hont, Julie; Allinson, Rebecca
    The report includes annexes from the external evaluation of the Science Granting Council Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa, including case study reports, interviews reports, and bibliography.
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    External evaluation of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa : final report - volume 1
    (2023-01-18) Sadeski, Francie; Abogne, Stéphanie; Nielsen, Kalle; Travaly, Youssef; D’hont, Julie; Allinson, Rebecca
    After seven years of implementation, IDRC commissioned an external evaluation (EE) to assess the extent to which the Initiative is achieving its strategic objectives. The evaluation assesses the achievements, the role of the SGCI in actual and perceived changes, and how results have been achieved, as well as key lessons learned. The evaluation recommends actions for strengthening the overall performance of the Initiative over the next three years and certainly beyond. This final EE report is based on a thorough analysis of the literature and documentation made available to the consultants, interviews with the SGCI Initiative Management Team (IMT) and the SGCI monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) consultant, a workshop held in April 2022 with SGCI participating Councils and Collaborating Technical Agencies (CTAs), additional consultations with bilateral funding partners, the CTAs and all the Science Granting Councils (SGCs), and a specific engagement for conducting case studies with six selected SGCs and their research communities and external stakeholders (ministries, other research partners) in Uganda, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Burkina Faso and Senegal. All in all, 56 interviews were conducted.
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    Influencing policy change : a training and reference manual
    (2022-01) Bolo, Maurice
    This manual for researchers and policy development emphasizes (i) Key concepts and principles of policymaking – including evidence, conflicts, processes and terminologies; (ii) Instruments and tools of influence; (iii) Strategies for designing and writing effective policy briefs; and (iv) Debates surrounding policy influence such as the role of the media, gender roles, politics and advocacy. Where strong linkages exist between researchers and policy actors, these are more likely to promote evidence-based policies and create a policy environment that supports and facilitates innovation. The course employs mixed methods, including interactive lectures, individual assignments, group work sessions, plenary Q&A sessions, guest lectures, and multimedia presentations.
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    SGCI footprint : enhancing regional cooperation
    (2022-02) Science Granting Councils Initiative
    This bulletin focuses on the Scinnovent Centre, a not-for-profit science, technology and innovation think tank in Kenya. Project scientists and researchers are interviewed. Science Granting Council (SGC) initiatives in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Uganda are featured. Public (government investment) and private sector partnerships are key aspects of ongoing projects. The Bulletin articles also feature science journalism.
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    Strengthening the role of African Science Granting Councils in promoting ethics and integrity in research and innovation
    (2022) Ndebele, Paul; Tindana, Paulina; Kasule, Mary; Nenguke, Zivai; Bolo, Maurice
    “Ethics and Integrity in Research and Innovation in Development” was the theme of the 2020 Science Granting Council’s (SGC) Masterclass. African SGCs need to enhance their activities and roles as part of their responsibilities in supporting ethical conduct of research and innovation. The African science enterprise through SGCs, needs to adapt to growing concerns if it is to remain relevant. SGCs should play a leading role in facilitating development of, or revision of research policies to ensure that ethics and integrity issues are addressed satisfactorily. This policy brief is a response to the growth in research being conducted in African countries.
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    Promoting ethics and integrity in research and innovation for development in Africa : the role of Africa’s science granting councils : a discussion paper prepared for the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) master class of 2021
    (2022) Ndebele, Paul; Tindana, Paulina; Kasule, Mary; Nenguke, Zivai
    The paper advocates for Science Granting Councils (SGC) to enhance ethics and integrity activities as part of their responsibilities for supporting ethical conduct of research and innovation. SGCs should play a leading role in facilitating development of, or revision of research policies to ensure that ethics and integrity issues are addressed satisfactorily. The African science enterprise through SGCs, needs to adapt to growing concerns if it is to remain relevant. The paper provides an in- depth report of current and existing challenges within the purview of the Science Granting Councils, which was provided to SGCs from 15 participating African countries at the SGCI Masterclass event.
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    Masterclass 2021 - theme : ethics and integrity in research and innovation
    (2021-03-30) The Scinnovent Centre - Science, Innovation and Enterprise
    Masterclasses are designed to support and strengthen the voice and views of Science Granting Councils (SGC) and contribute to key Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy debates at national, regional and continental levels. This conference took place online (via Zoom) during the Covid-19 pandemic. It explored the guidelines for ethics and integrity in research and innovation and their alignment with national research and STI policies. This document provides a brief outline of activities and outcomes with links to a workshop report and summary.
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    Strengthening gender and inclusivity in the national system of science, technology, and innovation (STI) : Malawi country profile
    (Human Science Research Council, 2021-09) Middleton, L.; Lynch, I.; Isaacs, N.; Essop, R.; Fluks, L.
    Gender inequality in Malawi is associated with deep-rooted inequitable laws, norms, and practices, hampering women and girls' access to opportunities, resources, and power. Unequal gender roles and unequal power relations between men and women persist across all social institutions, giving rise to multiple forms of discrimination against women, illustrated in the country's poor performance on various gender-disaggregated socio-economic development indices (Table 1). Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in STI highlights the contextual factors driving gender and inclusivity disparities in science, technology and innovation (STI) in Malawi and options and strategies for addressing disparity gaps in some of UNESCO’s STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) policy impact areas.
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    Strengthening gender and inclusivity in the national system of science, technology, and innovation (STI) : Namibia country profile
    (Human Science Research Council, 2021-09) Essop, R.; Middleton, L.; Lynch, I.; Isaacs, N.; Fluks, L.
    Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) highlights the contextual factors driving disparities in STI in Namibia. Women and girls, in particular adolescent girls continue to experience gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and restrictive socio-cultural norms limiting full exercise of human and women’s rights. Key gender indicators and contributing factors are provided in Table 1. Namibia has adopted the National Gender Policy (2010-2020), which aims to steer actions toward integrating and mainstreaming gender perspectives in the broader development framework.
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    Strengthening gender and inclusivity in the national system of science, technology, and innovation (STI) : Botswana country profile
    (Human Science Research Council, 2021-09) Isaacs, N.; Middleton, L.; Lynch, I.; Essop, R.; Fluks, L.
    Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) highlights factors driving gender and inclusivity disparities in Botswana, along with options and strategies for addressing disparity gaps: social norms and stereotypes; education (primary, secondary and tertiary); the career progression environment; research content and practice; policy; and entrepreneurship and innovation. Gender disparities in Botswana are mainly due to reproductive health, empowerment, culture, and the labour market that hinders women and girls' access to opportunities, resources, and power. The Abolition of the Marital Power Act 2004 provides for equal rights and status of women and men in marriage. The country profile measures challenges and progress using various statistical indicators.
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    Summary of the rapid review of representations of and actions on gender & inclusivity (G&I) in the Science Granting Council Initiative : phase one project document
    (Human Science Research Council, 2021-09) Middleton, L.; Lynch, I.; Fluks, L.; Essop, R.; Isaacs, N.
    The purpose of this rapid review is to identify gender and inclusivity strategies, frameworks and initiatives undertaken by the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) during the first phase of the SGCI, and their effects on advancing an intersectional approach to gender and inclusivity in SGCI-2 activities. Systematically emphasizing gender and inclusivity over the course of SGCI-1 highlighted gaps in diversity knowledge and practices in Phase 1 thematic areas, providing motivation and an evidence-base for strengthening gender and inclusivity in Phase 2.