Call for Applications Round 6: FY 2024/25

The overall aim of the Sector is to increase national income from agriculture as the backbone of the economy, ensure household food security and promote household nutrition from sustainable agricultural production, effective value chains and fair trade. The sector is seeking for solutions that boost the transformative potential of agriculture for Uganda’s economy. Development Agenda: SDGs 2,1,3; Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme; Zero Hunger Challenge

The solutions targeted in this sector mainly aim at achieving universal health coverage through sustainable health measures. A healthy population not only reduces the strain on household and national resources but is the driving force for economic development. The sector also acknowledges that many determinants of health are placed in other sectors, thereby necessitating a cross-sectoral approach. Evidence is needed on new measures to reduce the burden of preventable diseases, but also increase the quality of life for the population through health. Development Agenda: SDGs 3,1,6,10; Universal Health Coverage; Health Systems Strengthening; NDP III/IV

This covers foundation science and caters for both basic research and applied research. The theme includes research in areas of infrastructure, ICT, innovations, information science, education, technology and engineering. The main expressed need of the sector is how to leverage the advantages of Uganda’s demographic dividend by providing education that imparts skills crucial for productivity in the 21st Century and for the world of work. Development Agenda: SDGs 3,5, 8,9,10; Technology Facilitation Mechanism; African Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators; Vision 2030

Natural Resources include forestry, petroleum, bio-fuels, renewable energy, water among others. The main aim of the sector is to increase access to safe water for domestic use and water for production, and to safeguard the environment through sustainable development approaches. This is in a context where inadequate coverage with safe-water sources and water stress from recurrent dry spells abound leads to a high burden of sanitation related diseases, but also recurrent agricultural losses due to insufficient water. Development Agenda: SDGs 6,7,11,13, 14 & 15; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Cultural, heritage and creative Arts encompass a wide range of research themes that involve the study, preservation and promotion of cultural assets, traditions, and historical sites. Development Agenda: SDG 11, 12; UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage; Vision 2030.

This sector is vested in ensuring that justice is accessible to everyone, and that democracy and protection by the law are ubiquitous. The sector also seeks to ensure adequate protection of human rights. The diplomacy sub-sector aims to promote regional and international cooperation for peace and mutual development. The defence and security sector has the mandate to ensure peace, security and the rule of law for citizens. A stable secure country is not only crucial for economic investment but is key to a good quality of life for the citizens. This is coordinated through the armed forces, and other support systems for a secure country. Development Agenda: SDGs 1, 5, 10, & 16; Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; NDP III, Vision 2030

The business sector drives the economy. Uganda is ranked as the most entrepreneurial country in the world and the majority of start-ups and business are informal. However, the rate at which new businesses fail is high. Innovations are needed to develop a robust business sector that can survive strong economic head-winds to create a sustainable economy. Planning and finance are key cross-cutting sectors affecting development. Successful attainment of development goals needs adequate monitoring of national plans as well as sustainable financing methods including a progressive tax base. Energy drives production in the economy while minerals are a source of wealth that can accelerate national development. There is need for more innovations in the energy and mineral sector as a direct link to increased revenue and jobs.

The works Sector is a services sector that supports other sectors through infrastructure development. The sector also includes the industrial and manufacturing sub-sector which is the engine for national development. The sector therefore relies on technology, investments in industrial development and a major national focus on industry driven economic transformation. Development Agenda:  SDGs 1,8,9,11, 12, 13

B1. Guidelines for Eligibility

This grant targets researchers and innovators from Makerere University. This includes Makerere University appointed academic staff (Assistant Lecturers, Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors) and research staff (research fellows and senior research fellows) who hold a valid and current appointment issued by the Directorate of Human Resources of Makerere University. Academic staff from all Colleges of Makerere University are eligible to apply as well as senior staff from the following administrative units: Library, Gender Mainstreaming, Guidance and Counselling, Quality Assurance, Planning, and the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training. Individual researchers or research teams will be required to have a letter of support from the Head of the academic unit under which the lead researcher is tenured. Researchers from other institutions of higher learning are not eligible to apply as principal investigators nor co-PI. However, RIF encourages the inclusion of researchers from other HEIs as co-investigators or resource persons. Students may not apply as PIs but may also be part of a research team whose PI is an academic staff of Makerere. Collaborations with researchers from government agencies, civil society organizations, independent research institutions, business and industry is encouraged. To be eligible for funding, a research team should meet the following criteria:

• The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be an academic or research staff of Makerere University on a permanent appointment or fulltime contract issued by the Directorate of Human Resources or a staff member from one of the administrative units linked to research (Library, Gender Mainstreaming, Quality Assurance, Guidance and Counselling, Planning and the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT)).
• The PI shall be actively in service (not on study or sabbatical leave).
• The PI shall obtain a letter of support from his/her department or school or College (any one of the three).
• The PI shall attach a copy of his/her appointment letter or most-recent letter of promotion issued by the Directorate of Human Resource of Makerere University
• A researcher cannot be a PI on more than ONE It is allowable for any person to be a team member on up to a maximum of three applications.
• Each applying team will be required to indicate a co-Principal Investigator who will be co-signatory to the contract upon award and will be jointly responsible for the results; the requirements for one to be a co-PI are similar to those required of a PI.
• Researchers from Makerere University are encouraged to collaborate with resource persons from civil society organizations, government sectors, other universities within and outside Uganda, independent research institutions, business and industry as part of their teams; in such cases, the external team members will provide a letter of support from their institution.
• Research fellows working in projects within academic units but are not appointed centrally by Makerere University are not eligible as PIs but may be part of a research team. Students in general are not eligible to apply as PIs. However, students with strong ideas can market them to their academic supervisors/mentors who can apply on their behalf.

Researchers should note carefully the following:

PIs who currently hold an active RIF award (RIF-1, 2, 3, 4,5), while eligible to apply,  will only be considered for award if prior to the final selection activity, all their existing projects have been completed, all pending accountabilities have been submitted, and they have completed the official close-out report. The close-out reports and full accountability should have been submitted by Friday 27^th December 2024.

C1. The research problem

The RIF is meant to fill research gaps arising from development priorities of government and it’s implementing partners. Only research/innovation problems that have a clear link to the national development priorities and align with the thematic priorities of the comprehensive multi-stakeholder research agenda will be funded. The proposed solution (research or innovation) must be articulated clearly including the knowledge or intervention gap it is trying to address. Research problems will also be assessed on the basis of their responsiveness to the needs of government, public, industry and academia. Researchers should ask themselves the question: “If you were a decision-maker in a government sector, would this research be very useful to you?” Three broad types of research gaps are anticipated: 1) Those that need primary research to fill a critical knowledge gap, 2) Those that need an innovation (technology or approach) to address a critical pain point or community need, and 3) Those that target R&I ecosystem enhancement to overcome a major barrier that prevents high-value research from being conducted.  For projects that require research, the research problem (i.e., the discrepancy between the current knowledge and the desired knowledge) should be clearly articulated. For projects that are innovation-based, a clear articulation of the stakeholder need/pain-point that needs the solution should be articulated. For projects that require ecosystem enhancement, the discrepancy between the existing capacity for research services and the desired capacity should be clearly articulated. All three types of problems should be aligned to one or more themes in the research agenda.

C2. The proposed solution

Researchers should clearly articulate the objectives of the planned research and the proposed solutions. Researchers should also describe the critical content of the solution (i.e., the ‘research methodology’ for projects that are primarily research, or the ‘technical approach’ for projects that are innovation based, or the content of the planned enhancement for projects targeting R&I ecosystem enhancement).  Researchers should defend the relevance of the proposed solution to addressing key development outcomes of the respective sector and its alignment to one or more thematic areas specified in this call. Researchers/innovators should also demonstrate that the research is feasible and will result in tangible results within one (1) year of execution. Research projects that require multi-year implementation will only be considered if they can show actionable intermediate results attainable within 1 implementation year. Apart from a summary of the proposed approach, researchers will provide a more detailed description of their technical approach to enable a robust assessment of the rigor of the proposed methodology. For research-based projects, researchers should describe clearly but concisely the methods proposed, demonstrating scientific merit and rigor. For innovation-based projects, researchers should describe concisely the design approach to be used and the stage of the solution proposed. For R&I ecosystem enhancement-based projects, a description of the content of the enhancement (e.g., specialized training activities, or specialized equipment to be procured, its installation, or specialized training in its use) should be provided. (Note: Training in basic research skills or procuring simple routine equipment shall not be considered unless it is part of a holistic system upgrade).

C3. Outputs, outcomes and impact

Researchers will be expected to describe clearly the outputs anticipated to arise from their research projects. Outputs are the immediate tangible results of the research or innovation activities undertaken. Beyond outputs, applicants will describe the anticipated outcomes and impacts of the solution they propose. The target populations (primary and secondary) to be involved in and impacted by the research should be clearly described as well as the anticipated reach of the outcomes and impacts stated. Since this funding is specific to the current financial year, projects must demonstrate clearly the deliverables they expect within one year, matching the level of investment made and attainable in the 1-year timeframe.

Often, science requires more than one year of implementation to effectively answer the required study questions and as such, some projects are designated as ‘multi-year’. However, since the available funding has been committed for one Financial Year, all proposed projects including multi-year projects must articulate clearly the deliverables expected to be attained within one (1) year. Within a particular funding round, research proposals will not receive grants that span more than one year. However, recognizing that some projects require longer timelines to achieve full impact, Level 2 and Level 3 funding will be provided for in the subsequent financial years. Projects wishing to attract Level 2 and Level 3 funding will compete for this funding with new applications for extension funding.

C4. Team composition

Researchers may apply individually or in teams. Team applications will be at an added advantage. Individuals or teams should demonstrate that they have the technical expertise to execute the planned study. Disciplines relevant to the proposed research question/innovation challenge should be represented. For research areas where a multi-sectoral/multi-disciplinary approach is clearly needed, the extent to which the composition of the team covers the pertinent sectors/disciplines will be important. Teams that include an industry, business, public sector or implementing agency partner will have an added advantage.

C5. Provision for capacity development

Research and innovations that include a capacity-building component will be at an advantage. Researchers should articulate how they expect their research project to build capacity for stakeholders and their own department. Examples could include mentorship of junior researchers, equipment, and training of investigators, students, research fellows or research assistants. Co-designing of the research methodology or participation in field implementation, data management or analysis are other possible avenues for capacity building. Projects are strongly encouraged to include provisions for students to attachments so that students can benefit from the research. Projects should indeed involve teams of students from different academic disciplines working together.

C6. Dissemination Plan/Scalability/Sustainability

Since this fund is aimed at supporting government and its partners to improve service delivery and to accelerate development, researchers/Innovators should show a clear plan for dissemination their findings to audiences critical for policy and program change so as to achieve impact at scale. For primarily research-based projects, this will include a clear description of the knowledge translation and dissemination plan to stakeholders in the relevant sectors including the knowledge products anticipated to arise from the study (e.g., policy briefs, knowledge briefs, publications etc.). Research without a clear link to policy/program impact will not be funded. Innovation-based projects should articulate a scaling strategy, including linkage to scaling partners within the industry (for commercially viable enterprises), or within the relevant public sectors (for innovations targeted to the public) or within relevant implementing agencies (for social enterprises). Innovations targeting commercial interest should demonstrate the anticipated commercial potential, anticipated demand, anticipated patents/copyrights/industrial design claims/trademarks if applicable and the path to commercialization. Innovations targeting social impact (social innovations) should elucidate the path to wide scale community uptake. Teams that already have the necessary connections to sector ministries, implementing partner agencies (e.g., NGOs) or industry partners should articulate these connections.

For research and innovation initiatives that are expected to run longer than 3 years, researchers should articulate the sustainability of their projects beyond the RIF funding. Sustainability will also mean availability of co-funding or solicitation of continued funding from other grant applications beyond RIF. However, for projects that have already received or anticipate funding from elsewhere, researchers should show how the RIF funding fits into the broader funding structure. In general, researchers should show that they will not become dependent on RIF funding and that MakRIF will only kick start their endeavors to solicit for other grants so as to expand their funding base.

C7. Ethical implications and Environmental Impact

For research or innovation projects involving human subjects and are not benign investigations, researchers should clearly articulate the anticipated ethical challenges if any, how subjects will be protected and how they will obtain the relevant ethical certifications. If your research involves animal subjects, in what ways are animal subjects involved and how will the animals be protected? How will animal welfare be ensured? For research that involves changes to the physical environment, researchers should identify the project environmental and social impacts, explain the measures to mitigate the damage to the environment, and to monitor and act on such damage.

C8. Conflict of interest declaration

Researchers will declare if there is any conflict of interest regarding their project e.g., if it is co-funded by an industry partner that may compromise the impartiality of the team or the outcomes of the study. Teams with strong linkages to GMC members should declare this so that it is duly addressed during the selection process.

C9. Budget

Researchers will prepare a summary budget for their project. Budgets should be submitted in the official currency (Uganda Shillings).  Because these are university funds, academic units (Departments, Schools and Colleges) will not charge institutional overheads to any of the research funds. Budgets should not spread beyond one Financial Year. Projects requiring multi-year implementation should indicate so in the application. However, such projects should only provide a budget for one Financial Year. Multi-year budgets will only be funded to the extent needed for this financial year and within the grant caps indicated for the various award categories. Failure to articulate a one (1) year budget might lead to disqualification. The budgets will include the following sections:

• 0 Personnel costs
• 0 Travel
• 0 Supplies and services
• 0 Equipment
• 0 Program activity costs
• 0 Dissemination

Under Personnel costs, applicants should not budget for ‘Salaries’ for staff who are paid a regular salary by Makerere University or another Government of Uganda institution (whether on permanent or contract terms) as this would constitute double payment. However, such researchers can budget for ‘activity-based’ time input or ‘level-of-effort-based’ allowances for their additional time input into the project. The latter should be justified by specifying the extra-time demands for each individual involved.

Researchers can budget for salaries for critical project staff that are not paid by Makerere or the Government of Uganda e.g., Project Coordinators, Administrative Assistants, Research Officers etc. Regular Personnel costs excluding field research assistants should not exceed 33% of the budget. Projects that exceed this threshold will be disqualified. Because of the observation that projects without administrative support tend to be the ones most affected by implementation and accountability delays, projects are strongly advised to include Coordination or Administrative support in their teams. Field research assistants (or Data collectors) if needed should not be included under ‘Personnel costs’ but should instead be included under ‘Program Activity Costs’. All salaries and all repetitive allowances will be subject to mandatory statutory deductions at source, to pay the relevant taxes.

In addition to the summary budget, research teams will be required to attach a detailed budget (As an MS Excel attachment) that breaks down all expenditure line items, inclusive of a budget justification that explains the rationale behind the different budget items. Teams that do not attach a detailed budget and budget justification might not be evaluated. The level of efficiency in the budget will be a major evaluation criterion. Lumpsums will not be accepted. To avoid under-budgeting, researchers are strongly advised to consult with the relevant guidance documents provided on the RIF Portal to get standard rates for allowances, procurables and contractable services. Researchers are strongly advised not to exceed the maximum amount indicated within the category for which they have applied. All projects that exceed their category ceiling will be automatically disqualified.

C10. Workplan

Researchers will provide a list of key milestones for the project clearly demonstrating the deliverables expected at each point. These will be used as the basis for tracking implementation of activities towards project goals and outputs. Given the time implications of the awards, it will be important that researchers commit to a clear time-bound set of deliverables all achievable within one year for the main deliverable targeted during the current period of funding. Failure to articulate a one (1) year plan will imply inability to utilize the grant funds within one (1) year.

D1. Submission of applications

For the present round, applications will open on Monday 28^th October 2024. Submission of applications will be done via an online platform: http://rif.mak.ac.ug/portal. Applicants must first register in the grants website and create and account in order to access the application. Applicants who already have an account in the system should use their log-in credentials to access the application. The Grants Committee will not consider applications submitted by any other means. Applicants are therefore advised to prepare their submissions on-time. If an applicant experiences any challenges in the submission process, they should send an email to: info.rif@mak.ac.ug. The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm, Friday 22^nd November 2024.

D2. Application form

The application form is available on-line at the following link: http://rif.mak.ac.ug/portal. Because it is a one-step application, applicants should read and understand all the key requirements of the different sections of the form so as to provide all the critical information required within the word limit provided. All entries will be conducted on-line. However, applicants can down-load a PDF/MS Word version of the form to enable preparations before filling in the domains. Applicants can also copy and paste information into the online application domains.

D3. Rules governing applications

All applications should be written in English. All applications should be submitted via the online portal mentioned above. Complete applications must be submitted not later than 11.59pm East African Time on the closing date. No submissions after closure of applications will be accepted. Any attempt at solicitation of acceptance beyond this date will not be entertained. The Grants Committee bears no responsibility for submissions that are not completed in time and incomplete submissions will not be considered. If none of the submitted applications meets the requirements to receive a grant, the call may be reopened at the sole discretion of the Grants Management Committee. An individual researcher should not submit more than ONE application as a principal investigator. However, it is allowable for a PI on a submitted project to be a team member on up to two other submitted projects.

Participants agree to assume any and all risks, and to waive claims against Makerere University and the Grants Management Committee for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participation in this grant implementation.

D4. Applicant support

Sensitization: The GMC will hold a Zoom-based public meeting on Friday 1^st November 2024 to sensitize researchers about the grant.

Q&A: Applicants will have an opportunity to ask questions and obtain answers/clarifications regarding this RFP or any part of the application process. The question submission period will run from Tuesday 29^th October to Tuesday 5^th November 2024. Questions should be submitted to info.rif@mak.ac.ug. The Questions and Answers will be posted on the FAQ section on the platform website http://rif.mak.ac.ug  by Friday 8^th November 2024.

Webinar: The Grants Management Committee will host a public webinar via Zoom or Facebook Live on Friday 15^th November 2024 to support potential applicants needing additional support.

D5. Review of applications

A three (3) step application evaluation process will be used. Step 1 will involve determination of eligibility. This will be conducted by the GMC Secretariat to select only those applications that fit within the eligibility criteria specified in sub-section B1 of this document. Step 2 will involve a detailed technical review, undertaken by an independent team of credible reviewers (Ugandan and international) appointed by the GMC and aligned to the technical expertise required of the different applications. The review process will take a cross-disciplinary approach in which in addition to subject matter experts, reviewers from other disciplines that align with the core-discipline of the research idea will be engaged. Reviewers will conduct an electronic scoring of the applications based on standardized criteria. Each proposal will be reviewed by at least 3 reviewers. A shortlist of the best proposals will be provided to the GMC. In Step 3 of the review, the GMC which will select from the best-scoring proposals the ones to be funded. This will be strongly guided by the scores and recommendations from Step 2. However, the GMC will consider additional aspects like clear link to the funder’s vision and the research agenda themes as well as impact within the relevant sector, equity between Colleges, consideration of gender and junior faculty, the budgets, and the funds available.

D6. Evaluation criteria

The following evaluation criteria will be used:

D7. Notification of successful applicants

Successful applicants will be informed by email to their designated point of contact. Successful teams will also be profiled on the Grants website: http://rif.mak.ac.ug/portal. Researchers should be cognizant of the fact that not all research applicants should expect to be funded – this is a normal part of grants processes. The GMC will be as impartial and as technical as possible in the selection process to ensure that the best projects win. Not winning a grant should therefore not be construed as being a result of an unfair selection processes. GMC members have sworn an oath of impartiality and readiness to serve with diligence.

D8. Tracking your application

The grant website will contain information on the status of the applications at the different stages. Tracking will be provided for the entire batch of applications and not for individual applications.

D9. Post award processes

Due to the urgent need to produce results and ensure accountability, the GMC and its Secretariat will conduct a series of post-award activities to awardees. While these will target as little interference as possible, they will be focused on ensuring that set milestones are achieved, the evidence of anticipated deliverables is available and that funds are accounted for in time. In particular, support processes will include:

• Induction: A brief post award induction, in form of an online course and a Zoom-based Induction workshop. The online course will be mandatory before signing the contracts.
• Procurement plan: Before signing contracts, successful awardees will be required to develop a procurement plan covering all procurables in their budget.
• Contracting: The GMC will execute an agreement with the awardees on the terms and conditions of the award.
• Capacity building: The GMC Secretariat will provide inductive orientation for researchers (open to both awardees and non-awardees) on 1) Research project management; 2) Financial Management; 3) Research Leadership; 4) Gender and inclusiveness in research and 5) Research translation for impact. Schedules of these trainings will be made available in due course. These courses will also be made continually available for long term capacity building.
• Release of funds: Release of funds will be in phases incumbent on proper accountability and demonstration of milestones achieved in the previous payment phase.
• Tracking of deliverables, performance, and accountability: The Grant Secretariat will conduct continuous checks on awardees to ensure deliverables are met, funds are utilized, and releases are accounted for. Consistent failure to demonstrate deliverables or utilize funds might lead to issuance of unspent balances to other grantees. Therefore, for the avoidance of large amounts of unspent balances, the GMC will maintain dynamic tracking of performance of projects and might decide to reallocate non-performing awards to those that need them.
• Reporting: Awardee researchers will provide interim reports every three (3) months using a standard reporting form that will be provided by the GMC.

D10. Intellectual property

Intellectual Property derived through the Government grants will be owned jointly by the awardee Teams and Makerere University. All awardee teams grant to Makerere University and the Government of Uganda are non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use any resultant or derived intellectual property (e.g., product, service, or technology) that will be developed using the Government grants for development work of public benefit without encumbrance. However, for projects that have a commercial value, researchers will clearly delineate any intellectual property included that is their creation. The GMC will undertake a determination of what percentage of stake the university will claim on the basis of its investment into the idea. Notwithstanding this, the researchers retain the bulk of the claim to intellectual property arising from their project. All proceeds accruing from commercialization of IP generated via government grants, following the conclusion of the grant period will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis amongst the parties, but with the researchers taking a controlling stake.

D11. Grant timeline

D12. Subsequent RFAs within this Financial Year’s funding

At the discretion of the Grants Management Committee, subsequent calls within this round or new rounds of calls may be issued within this Financial Year, depending on availability of resources, performance of awardees, and other provisions within the Terms of Reference for management of the Government RIF.