Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) – Capacity Strengthening Hub Call

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Government of Norway, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Wellcome

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible organisations and consortia to apply for the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Call for Proposals to establish a Capacity Strengthening Hub in sub-Saharan Africa. This programme supports system-level strengthening of research and innovation management systems across participating African countries.

Programme Overview
The SGCI Capacity Strengthening Hub is designed to enhance the effectiveness of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) by improving institutional systems, governance structures, and digital tools that support research funding and innovation. The selected organisation will coordinate capacity-building efforts across 20 sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on strengthening systems rather than delivering direct training.

Key Details

  • Funders: International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Government of Norway, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Wellcome

  • Funding Type: Grant

  • Maximum Funding: Up to CAD 500,000

  • Project Duration: Approximately 2.5 years

  • Proposed Start Date: 1 July 2026

  • Submission Deadline: 30 April 2026

Participating Countries
The initiative supports Science Granting Councils in 20 countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and others across sub-Saharan Africa.

Eligibility

  • Organisations or consortia with independent legal status

  • Must be based in sub-Saharan Africa

  • Demonstrated expertise in research and innovation management systems

Applicants must also show:

  • Strong understanding of national science, technology, and innovation (STI) systems

  • Experience working with Science Granting Councils

  • Capacity in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)

  • Expertise in digital grant management and research funding processes

  • Experience in research ethics, gender inclusion, and data management

Funding Scope

The grant supports the establishment and coordination of a Capacity Strengthening Hub, including:

  • Development of a collective capacity-strengthening plan

  • Strengthening research management and governance systems

  • Improving digital grant management platforms

  • Designing and implementing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks

  • Creating knowledge-sharing platforms, toolkits, and best practice resources

  • Supporting system-wide improvements in areas such as research ethics, open science, gender inclusion, and data stewardship

Scope Limitations

The Hub will not support:

  • Direct training or mentoring programmes

  • Peer-learning exchanges or staff exchange initiatives

These activities will be funded through separate mechanisms.

Strategic Focus Areas

  • Strengthening Africa-led research excellence

  • Enhancing science and innovation policy influence

  • Improving research and innovation management systems across institutions

How to Apply
Applicants should review the full guidelines and submit proposals in line with SGCI/IDRC requirements before the deadline:
https://awardfellowships.org/

Applicants are expected to present a clear operational framework, including governance structure, digital systems, monitoring mechanisms, and sustainability strategy, demonstrating the ability to deliver long-term institutional impact across diverse national contexts.