The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) has launched a call for proposals to establish a Capacity Strengthening Hub in sub-Saharan Africa. The selected organization or consortium will receive up to CAD 500,000 over approximately 2.5 years (starting July 1, 2026) to strengthen research and innovation management systems across 20 participating African countries.
The Hub will coordinate institutional capacity-building, digital grant management improvements, monitoring and evaluation systems, and knowledge-sharing tools — but will not directly deliver training programs.
About the Initiative (SGCI)
The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is a continental platform launched in 2015 to strengthen national Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across sub-Saharan Africa.
SGCI supports Councils to:
• Fund high-quality, Africa-led research
• Improve research governance and innovation systems
• Align research funding with national and regional development priorities
• Strengthen science, technology and innovation (STI) policy influence
SGCI is currently in its third phase (SGCI-3).
Funders and Managing Partners
SGCI is funded by:
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Government of Norway
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Wellcome
IDRC manages SGCI-3 on behalf of the funders.
Aligned support also comes from:
• German Research Foundation
• South Africa’s National Research Foundation
Participating Countries
SGCI works with Science Granting Councils in 20 sub-Saharan African countries:
Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Togo, Angola, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
These Councils co-fund and manage research and innovation projects and contribute to regional research policy agendas.
What Is the Capacity Strengthening Hub?
The Capacity Strengthening Hub (the Hub) is a coordination and systems-level support mechanism.
It will:
• Institutionalize capacity development within Science Granting Councils
• Develop and monitor a collective capacity-strengthening plan
• Provide digital tools, guidance materials, and structured knowledge resources
• Strengthen research management systems
• Promote best practices in research governance
The Hub will not directly conduct trainings, mentoring, peer learning, or staff exchanges. Separate funding streams will support those activities.
Strategic Objectives of SGCI
The call supports three long-term outcomes:
1. Increase Africa-Led Research Excellence
• High-quality research production
• Scaled innovations addressing development challenges
• Stronger research ecosystems
2. Strengthen STI Policy Influence
• Evidence-informed policymaking
• Enhanced role of Science Granting Councils in national innovation systems
3. Improve Research and Innovation Management Systems
Focus areas include:
• Digital grant management systems
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks
• Financial management systems
• Open science and data stewardship
• Research ethics and research excellence
• Gender equality and inclusion
• Academic freedom
• Artificial intelligence and digital tools for research administration
Funding Details
Total funding: Up to CAD 500,000
Duration: Approximately 2.5 years
Proposed start date: July 1, 2026
Possibility of renewal: Yes
Important note: Funding is subject to availability from the Parliament of Canada and SGCI funders. IDRC may fund additional proposals or cancel the call.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must:
• Be organizations or consortia
• Have independent legal status
• Be based in sub-Saharan Africa
• Demonstrate proven expertise in research and innovation management
Applicants must also demonstrate:
• Knowledge of national STI systems
• Understanding of the research funding landscape in sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working with Science Granting Councils
• Capacity in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
• Expertise in research funding processes
• Cross-sector engagement (public, private, community sectors)
• Experience in research ethics and excellence frameworks
• Gender equality and inclusion approaches
• Data management and digital systems
Each applicant must clearly demonstrate institutional credibility and technical capacity.
Why This Call Matters
This call addresses systemic capacity gaps in research funding institutions across Africa.
Strong Science Granting Councils are critical because they:
• Allocate public research funding
• Shape national research priorities
• Influence science and innovation policy
• Support academic and industrial research ecosystems
Without robust grant management systems, digital tools, and governance frameworks, research systems cannot scale or sustain innovation.
The Hub will strengthen institutional systems — not just individuals — ensuring long-term sustainability.
What the Hub Will Do (Operational Responsibilities)
The selected organization will:
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Develop a collective capacity-strengthening plan
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Monitor implementation progress across Councils
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Create a centralized digital knowledge platform
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Curate toolkits, guidelines, and best practice materials
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Provide structured coordination space for shared learning
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Implement a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) mechanism
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Adapt support based on institutional maturity levels
The Hub must serve Councils of varying size and development stage.
What the Hub Will NOT Do
The Hub will not:
• Deliver direct training programs
• Conduct peer-learning exchanges
• Manage staff exchange programs
• Provide direct mentoring
These activities will be funded separately.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization or consortium meets all legal and geographic requirements.
Step 2: Assess Technical Capacity
Demonstrate expertise in research management systems, digital grant administration, and MEL frameworks.
Step 3: Develop a Technical Proposal
Your proposal should clearly define:
• Governance model for the Hub
• Operational framework
• Digital platform structure
• Monitoring and reporting systems
• Risk mitigation strategies
• Sustainability plan
Step 4: Demonstrate Regional Knowledge
Show understanding of African STI systems and Council-level institutional realities.
Step 5: Submit Application
Follow official submission guidelines from SGCI/IDRC within the stated deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing direct training delivery (outside Hub mandate)
• Failing to demonstrate Africa-based legal status
• Providing vague descriptions of MEL systems
• Underestimating digital infrastructure requirements
• Ignoring diversity and inclusion frameworks
• Overlooking cross-country institutional variation
Strong proposals emphasize systems-level transformation and institutional sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the total funding available?
Up to CAD 500,000 over approximately 2.5 years.
2. Who can apply?
Organizations or consortia with independent legal status based in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Can universities apply?
Yes, if they meet eligibility requirements and demonstrate relevant expertise.
4. Will the Hub conduct training programs?
No. Training and peer-learning activities will be funded separately.
5. When will the project start?
The anticipated start date is July 1, 2026.
6. Can the grant be renewed?
Yes, renewal is possible depending on performance and funding availability.
7. What areas of expertise are critical?
Monitoring and evaluation, digital grant management, research governance, gender inclusion, research ethics, and data systems.
Conclusion
The SGCI Capacity Strengthening Hub represents a major opportunity to strengthen research governance infrastructure across sub-Saharan Africa.
By focusing on institutional systems — digital tools, monitoring frameworks, research ethics standards, and inclusion practices — this initiative aims to create sustainable, high-functioning Science Granting Councils capable of driving Africa-led research excellence.
Organizations with strong expertise in research and innovation management have a strategic opportunity to shape the future of Africa’s research funding ecosystem.
For more information, visit IDRC.
