The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) at the College of Science convened a pivotal meeting with Principal Investigators (PIs) on Thursday, 25th June 2026 at the Ibis Tek Boardroom. The engagement was strategically designed to deepen understanding of the grants management ecosystem, foster meaningful interaction among PIs, and create a platform for sharing experiences, successes and challenges in research administration across the College.
In his opening remarks, the Provost of College of Science, Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei, warmly welcomed participants and set the tone for robust discussions.
The COS Grants and Research Manager, Mrs. Hannah Adom Eyison, presented an insightful overview of the College's grantsmanship portfolio and the comprehensive support available through OGR. She highlighted the all-round assistance OGR offers to PIs, spanning the entire project lifecycle; from identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive proposals to navigating pre-award requirements, award management, compliance monitoring and project close-out. Mrs. Eyison stressed that while many PIs often manage grant administration single-handedly, the goal of OGR is not to take ownership away from researchers but rather to protect PI time for science and leadership by providing structured administrative, financial, and compliance support. She outlined the significant risks associated with PIs attempting to do it all, including burnout, missed deadlines, financial and compliance vulnerabilities, underutilised funds and damage to funder confidence and institutional reputation. She emphasised that effective grants management is a shared responsibility and encouraged PIs to keep OGR involved as a vital liaison between funders and the institution.
Mrs. Eyison also drew attention to the often overlooked but critical aspect of award close-out. She noted that lessons learnt, comprehensive documentation and thorough evaluations must be recorded, as they provide valuable insights for future grant applications and institutional documentation.
“You can have a strong science, but without the administrative side, your project may not run smoothly” - Mrs Hannah Adom Eyison. She reinforced the message that while strong science is fundamental, the administrative science is equally essential to ensure that everything plays out well. PIs were reminded of the importance of paying attention to indirect costs, as many researchers focus solely on direct costs.
The College Finance Officer, Dr. James Gambrah, took participants through the financial management and compliance framework for donor-funded projects, addressing key areas including budget management, procurement requirements, financial reporting and project closure. Dr. Gambrah further explained the importance of project closure as a shared responsibility, involving formal notification by the PI, internal audit and OGR compliance review, financial reconciliation and proper treatment of residual funds and assets.
Mr. Jeffrey Yaw Kusi, the College of Science Project Accountant, provided practical guidance on financial procedures. He explained the proper processing of payment requests, emphasising the need for complete documentation, linkage to approved budget lines and timely submission. He addressed the proper retirement of special advances within twenty-one days, with original receipts and accurate calculations. He clarified the appropriate use of honour certificates, noting that they should only be used where receipts are impossible to obtain, with clear justification and authorisation from the PI.
The open forum session, moderated by the Provost, generated rich and candid discussions on challenges and opportunities in grants management. PIs shared their experiences related to compliance requirements, procurement delays, financial documentation and the need for strengthened administrative support. The engagement reinforced the importance of building capacity for effective grantsmanship, including training and mentorship programmes for both researchers and administrators.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the University's commitment to creating an enabling environment for research excellence. The Provost encouraged PIs to engage proactively with OGR and the College Finance Office to adhere to policies and procedures, and to prioritise timely compliance. In closing, he thanked participants for their dedication and valuable contributions, noting that effective collaboration between PIs and administrative offices is vital to sustaining KNUST's reputation as a leading research-intensive university.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue, learning, and alignment of efforts to strengthen research management and outcomes in the College of Science. As KNUST moves "from Excellence to Eminence," continuous engagement and capacity building remain central to achieving institutional goals and global competitiveness.