The Research Innovation Fund
This first of the kind initiative arose from a series of discussions between the top university management and Government. The fund illustrates the increasing importance that the Government attaches to Research and Innovation as a catalyst to Uganda’s march towards Middle Income Status. The objective of the fund is to increase the local generation of translatable research and scalable innovations that address key gaps required to drive Uganda’s development agenda, especially the un-funded priorities.
This Financial Year, Makerere University expects to receive a total of 30 Billion Uganda Shillings (equivalent to US$ 8,100,000) under the Government Research and Innovation Fund (RIF). Of this, 15 Billion Ushs has already been disbursed to the University. Government has committed to provide this funding continually for at least three Financial Years.
Makerere University Management has responded promptly:
- A Framework for Management of the RIF has been developed and approved by the University Council.
- A multi-sectoral Grants Management Committee (GMC) has been appointed after wide consultations with the Colleges.
- Available funds are obligated to be spent within the current Financial Year, with tangible results that speak to national priorities.
Over 620
Research projects funded
30 billion Uganda shillings
Annual Government of Uganda investment
6
Funding rounds since 2019
Over 100
Publications & policy briefs
10
Participating colleges
The objective of the fund is to increase the local generation of translatable research and scalable innovations that address key gaps required to drive Uganda’s development agenda, especially the un-funded priorities.
Mak-RIF — objective of the fund
How Do You Access The Fund?
The Research and Innovation Fund is open to researchers from all academic colleges of Makerere University who have research that aligns with national priorities. The initial round of funding will focus on already existing research and innovation ideas among researchers. Issuance of the initial grants will be based on a competitive process in response to a Request for Applications.
Do you have research and innovation ideas that have a clear connection to and fill critical knowledge gaps in the national development plan, relevant sector development plans, or the sustainable development goals, and are within the framework of Makerere University’s Strategic Plan?
Then the first round of this fund is for you!
Funding acknowledgment
This work was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund.
Governance