Exploring Research Funding Sources and Opportunities
Discover insights from a presentation by Prof. Lucy W. Irungu on identifying funding sources for research and innovation projects, including the landscape of funding, who funds research, and possible funding sources. Learn about securing, managing, and mobilizing funding, as well as challenges and sustainable growth. Find out how to obtain information on funding opportunities from various platforms and networks.
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Presentation Transcript
Identifying Funding Sources for Research and Innovation projects by Prof. Lucy W. Irungu Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Production and Extension) University of Nairobi Machakos University College 15-16 September, 2016 University of Nairobi 1 http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Presentation Outline Landscape of research funding Sources of research funding Securing funding Managing funding Mobilization of funding Sustained growth of funding Challenges University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 2 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
The landscape of research funding Stringent accountability expectations Decline in government financial support Expectation to undertake research with impact on society Increased expectation to contribute to national/global economic competitiveness, policy and practice The shift of bulk of funding from NGOs to institutions of higher learning, research institutions, and state/development agencies University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 3 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Who funds research? Government budgetary allocation Internal institutional budgets External funding such as; Development agencies, Not-for-profit organisations, Investors, Industry, Philanthropic organisations Professional societies Foundations and Trusts Venture capitalists Angel investors Crowd sourcing University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 4 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Other possible sources of funding Tuition fees Third stream income from; University advancement (new focus on fundraising/friend-raising) Consultancy services and contracted research Revenue from commercialization of research outputs Endowments University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 5 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Obtaining information on funding opportunities Funding opportunities databases/platforms such as Research Professional, SPIN, Edudonor index, etc Major funding bodies platforms and websites, eg EU, NIH, NSF, NRF, NACOSTI, etc Networks - institutional and personal networks University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 6 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
How to secure funding Get to know the funding sources, the key people, upcoming opportunities, programme areas, etc Build relationships and networks with the funding bodies as well as in research circles Undertake relevant research addressing pertinent devt issues Work with senior colleagues at first to build your portfolio Collaborate Write winning proposals Ensure that you deliver on your commitment once you get the grant (better use of funding leads to more funding) University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 7 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Managing research funding The need to ensure; 1. An effective and supportive administrative structures and processes 2. Enhanced capacity of researchers and the research management systems 3. Management of innovations and knowledge transfer 4. Dissemination and openness of findings University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 8 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
1. Administrative structures and processes Ensure there is effective administrative structures to support your research/researchers Institutional strategic direction and management that supports the research agenda Create awareness of research processes and procedures among staff, researchers Build a liaison channel with you funders and stakeholders University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 9 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
2. Research and research management capacity Build researcher capacity and competitiveness Ensure adequate, enabled personnel with the appropriate research management capacity and skills Ensure accountability and timely reporting (be it fiscal or no-fiscal) Infrastructures that support research and research management University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 10 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
3. Innovation and IP rights Encourage transformative and innovative research and training The need to have IP rights protection framework and regime effectively in place Enabling environment for Commercialization of innovations An enabling environment for technology and enterprise Incubation Procedure of reviewing work for potential IP prior to publication Ensure awareness of these procedures and framework within the institution University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 11 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
4. Dissemination/Openness Encourage openness in sharing, reporting and discussing research outputs amongst researchers, with the public and other stakeholders to stimulate growth of innovation, creativity and application of new knowledge Promote high standard of management of research outputs to enhance impact of research on society Promote a publishing culture University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 12 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
How can we sustainably mobilise funding for research? Establish an advancement office or institutional foundation to deal with fundraising, resource mobilisation, partnerships and collaborations Utilize a percentage of tuition to fund research Build research capacity and competitiveness of academic staff and postgraduate students Create a strong and vibrantAlumni Association to act as brand ambassadors in resource mobilisation Establish Endowment fund as a vehicle for raising funds University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 13 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
How to maintain a sustained growth of funding Dedicated critical mass of researchers Institutional policy framework that is supportive of research and researchers (including setting aside a percentage of tuition fee for research) Active partnership with peer and international institutions (universities, funders, research institutions, etc) An administrative structure that supports researchers (e.g. an effective research management office) Infrastructure that supports the conduct and management of research e.g. the RGMIS at UoN Continuous training on grant proposal writing for academic staff and PhD students Conducive environment; i.e. motivation, appropriate incentivization, etc University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 14 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Challenges (Govt & External) Dwindling govt funding Lack of philanthropic culture Lack of government incentives e.g. Ensuring donations are tax deductable, tax holiday for utilisation of local innovation, etc University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 15 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Challenges (Institutional) Research time is not protected in many institutions Delayed access to funds in a timely manner so project is on time Slow procurement processes Inadequate staff capacity Delays in submitting reports to donors (risk of getting blacklisted) University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 16 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Thank you Contact: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Production and Extension) Central Administration Block, 3rd Floor Room 302 Tel: 318262 Ext 28730/28711 or 2315416 (DL) E-mail: dvcrpe@uonbi.ac.ke University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 17 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke
