Effective funding practice for inclusive grantmaking

This research note explores the challenges African research grantees face in accessing funding and provides recommendations for both funders and grantees. The information presented is based on various sources, including reports, articles, and meeting summaries.

Funding landscape in Africa

A key finding  is the limited funding available for research within Africa, with the majority originating from external agencies. Even when funding is directed to Africa, a significant portion is awarded to grantees from developed countries, highlighting a systemic disparity in research funding allocation. This is further evidenced by the 2024 African Education Research Funding Consortium (AERFC) member grantee analysis data which reveals that North American grants are 5.5 times larger than those given to African organisations. This funding disparity has significant implications for the scope and scale of research projects in Africa, hinders the ability to attract and retain skilled researchers, and perpetuates a reliance on external funding.

Challenges faced by African grantees

The research note identifies a multifaceted array of challenges hindering African grantees’ access to funding, categorised as follows:

Institutional Barriers within Funding Organisations:

• Bureaucratic processes within funding organisations, characterised by protracted application and approval timelines, present a significant obstacle. This delay can be especially problematic for research projects requiring immediate funding.
• Complex grant application processes, demanding extensive proposals, intricate budgets, and adherence to stringent criteria, burden African grantees substantially.
• The prevalence of top-down funding models often results in funders lacking a nuanced understanding of the local context. This disconnect can impede effective communication, project monitoring, and impact evaluation.
• A lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding the local funding landscape and engagement opportunities further complicates matters.

Field-Facing Barriers:

• A frequent misalignment between funders’ thematic priorities and the funding needs and expertise of African researchers creates a significant barrier.
• Limited awareness of funding opportunities, often due to inadequate dissemination or late notification, restricts grantees’ participation in research.
• The absence of coordinated and comprehensive action further hinders progress in addressing funding challenges.
• A widespread lack of capacity for grant writing and management among researchers poses a substantial hurdle. This includes difficulties in crafting compelling proposals and effectively managing granted funds.

Challenges specific to grantees and organisations:

• Many grantees lack the capacity to develop competitive grant proposals and effectively manage awarded grants. This capacity gap encompasses both technical expertise and the ability to navigate complex funding processes.
• Inflexible eligibility criteria, such as stipulations requiring prior grant management experience of a certain scale, disproportionately disadvantage African researchers, particularly those in the early stages of their careers.
• Limited institutional support mechanisms for researchers seeking competitive funding further exacerbate the challenges faced by African grantees.
• Inadequate government backing and limited resources from private funders to meet the needs of researchers constitute a significant barrier.
• Corruption, manifesting as the mismanagement of funds, nepotism, and favoritism, undermines the integrity and efficacy of the grant management system.
• Power imbalances in research partnerships, particularly when international NGOs contribute less funding relative to the workload assigned to local groups, can lead to tensions and hinder equitable collaboration.
• Accountability and trust issues between funders and researchers in Africa, often stemming from a lack of transparency and open communication, can strain relationships and impede project success.
• Funding structures, encompassing the nature of funding, competition for resources, and stringent requirements for securing and maintaining funding, present a complex web of challenges for African grantees.

Solutions

A collaborative approach involving both funders and grantees is needed to effectively address these challenges and foster a more equitable research funding environment in Africa.

Recommendations for funders:

• Increase Funding for African-led Research: Prioritise funding for research led by African institutions and researchers, promoting South-South collaboration and reducing reliance on external funding sources. This shift requires actively identifying and removing institutional barriers that limit direct access to funding for African-based researchers.
• Align Funding with Grantee Priorities: Conduct thorough research to understand the local context and the specific needs and priorities of African grantees. Foster flexibility in funding criteria to encompass related topics and accommodate the diverse expertise of African researchers.
• Improve Communication and Transparency: Increase the number of open funding calls to encourage a wider range of applications and promote equitable access to research opportunities. Enhance the dissemination of information about funding opportunities through various channels, including funder websites, social media, and dedicated platforms. Ensure that all programme information, strategies, guidelines, and contact details are publicly available, accessible, and updated regularly.
• Simplify Application Processes: Streamline grant application procedures to reduce the time and administrative burden on grantees. Simplify terms of reference, revise overly strict funding rules, and consider alternative application formats, such as short concept notes, to minimise workload.
• Build Capacity: Allocate resources to support the capacity development of African researchers through training and mentoring programmes, particularly focusing on early career researchers. Provide technical assistance tailored to the specific needs of grantees and the requirements of grant programmes.
• Promote Inclusive Grant Practices: Actively promote the inclusion of female researchers, early career researchers, and other minority groups by embedding funding for them in large research projects. Ensure diverse representation in grant decision-making processes and advocate for greater African leadership in research programmes and projects.
• Provide Flexible Funding and Support: Offer core grants that cover administrative costs, including expenses related to training, travel, and communication. Provide constructive feedback to all applicants, offer referrals to promising candidates, and consider coaching support to strengthen grant applications.
• Foster Collaboration: Invest in pooled funds or funder collaboratives to leverage resources, maximise impact, and diversify grantee portfolios. This collaborative approach can facilitate knowledge sharing, reduce duplication of efforts, and foster a more coordinated funding landscape.
• Focus on Long-Term Partnerships: Prioritise long-term partnerships with African researchers and universities to support sustained research initiatives that address local development needs. This approach fosters local leadership in evidence generation and contributes to more informed decision-making.

Recommendations for grantees:

• Seek Mentorship and Collaboration: Actively seek mentorship from experienced researchers, both within Africa and internationally, to gain valuable insights and guidance. Explore opportunities for collaboration with other researchers and research organisations to expand networks, share expertise, and access a wider range of funding opportunities.
• Develop Grant Writing and Management Skills: Invest time and resources in developing strong grant writing and management skills through training programmes and workshops. This includes honing the ability to craft compelling proposals, develop realistic budgets, and effectively manage awarded funds.
• Build Relationships with Funders: Proactively engage with potential funders before submitting proposals to understand their priorities, funding criteria, and application processes. Tailor proposals to align with the specific interests and strategic goals of the funders.
• Develop Resource Mobilisation Strategies: Explore diverse funding sources and develop innovative approaches to secure funding for local research projects. This includes investigating opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and international organisations.
• Ensure Transparency and Accountability: Maintain clear, transparent, and accountable reporting processes throughout the grant lifecycle. Communicate openly with funders, providing regular updates on project progress, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.
• Strengthen Institutional Support: Advocate for the establishment or strengthening of institutional mechanisms to support researchers in accessing and managing competitive research funding. This includes dedicated grant support offices, mentorship programmes, and resources for proposal development and grant administration.

By collectively addressing the challenges and implementing the proposed solutions, funders and grantees can work in tandem to create a more equitable, effective, and sustainable research funding environment in Africa. This collaborative effort will empower African researchers to conduct high-quality research that addresses local challenges, contributes to global knowledge, and drives progress on the continent.