- According to a report by the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, only a fraction of Kenyan university researchers successfully secure international research funding each year.
- The absence of functional Grant Management Offices leads to missed opportunities for both researchers and the universities themselves.
- Internationally, top universities such as Harvard and Oxford have long recognised the importance of grant management offices in their research ecosystem.
Kenyan universities, long recognised for their academic contributions and research potential, are at a pivotal crossroads in advancing their research agenda and fostering innovation.
However, a significant bottleneck exists in the form of under-resourced and inefficient Grant Management Offices (GMOs).
These offices, which play a central role in securing, managing, and supporting external funding for research and innovation, are often inadequately staffed and lack the necessary infrastructure to effectively assist researchers and faculty in securing competitive grants.
This article presents an argument that the establishment and operational success of robust, functional, and well-resourced Grant Management Offices are crucial for the future of research and development in Kenya’s higher education sector.
The Current State
The challenges that lecturers and researchers in Kenyan universities face when applying for grants are multifaceted.
First, many universities lack specialised grant management staff who understand the intricacies of the application process, including the preparation of grant proposals, compliance with donor regulations, and financial reporting.
Instead, faculty members often juggle multiple roles—teaching, research, and grant writing—without sufficient support from dedicated grant officers.
Moreover, according to a report by the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, only a fraction of Kenyan university researchers successfully secure international research funding each year.
For example, data from the University of Nairobi, Kenya’s oldest and largest university, shows that despite having a large pool of qualified academics, less than 10% of faculty successfully apply for international research grants.
In contrast, universities in other African nations like South Africa and Egypt report success rates of 20-30% due to better-developed Grant Management Systems (GMS) and support structures.
The Impact
The absence of functional Grant Management Offices leads to missed opportunities for both researchers and the universities themselves.
The process of securing grants is highly competitive, requiring well-prepared proposals and a thorough understanding of the funders’ requirements. Without skilled grant managers, universities are less likely to submit successful applications, leading to low funding rates.
For instance, many researchers are unable to navigate the complexities of multi-donor funding, which often requires stringent financial oversight and reporting.
This not only delays projects but also puts universities at risk of non-compliance, which can result in losing grants or being excluded from future funding opportunities.
Additionally, without a central office for managing grants, there is a lack of coordination among departments and between universities and potential funders.
This fragmentation weakens the capacity to undertake multi-disciplinary or large-scale projects that could have a significant impact on national development, such as education and health interventions, agricultural innovations, or climate change research.
Best Practices
Globally, universities with strong Grant Management Offices are better positioned to support their researchers.
In South Africa, for example, many universities have dedicated research offices that handle all aspects of grant management—from proposal writing to financial reporting, which has led to increased success in securing competitive international and national grants.
A case study from the University of Cape Town (UCT) illustrates the potential benefits of well-organized grant management offices.
The UCT has one of the highest rates of successful grant applications in Africa, due in part to its fully integrated research support services.
The university’s Research Office provides researchers with proposal-writing workshops, individual consultations, and detailed feedback on submissions.
Additionally, the office ensures researchers meet all regulatory and reporting requirements for external funders. As a result, UCT is able to secure significant international and private sector funding, contributing to its high global rankings in research output.
Internationally, top universities such as Harvard and Oxford have long recognised the importance of grant management offices in their research ecosystem.
These institutions invest heavily in training staff, establishing clear protocols, and providing comprehensive resources for researchers. For example, Harvard’s Office of Sponsored Programmes (OSP) not only assists with the technicalities of grant applications but also fosters relationships with funding bodies, which increases the chances of securing grants.
These institutions understand that grants are not just a source of funding but also a means to raise their global profile and contribute to solving pressing global issues.
In two European Universities- Maastricht, Netherlands and Vives, Belgium- where the author has had a bit of experience with, the Grant Management Offices have come in handy to support the processes.
In Maastricht, their personalised support helps researchers improve the quality and competitiveness of their applications, resulting in an increased success rate for securing grants.
By providing tailored advice, the GMO has significantly contributed to the university’s research achievements and its ability to attract substantial funding for innovative projects.
At Vives, the GMO assists with proposal development, thus ensuring that applications are well-crafted and competitive. Their support includes navigating complex funding requirements, managing deadlines, and ensuring compliance with both institutional and funding agency policies.
Why Kenyan Universities Need Better GMS
For Kenyan universities to enhance their research output and contribute to the country’s development, a strategic overhaul of grant management is essential. Key reasons include:
- Increased Research Capacity: Effective grant management offices would help streamline the grant application process, leading to more successful applications and increased research funding. This will allow universities to conduct high-impact research that can drive innovation and solve local and global challenges, such as health crises and climate change.
- Global Competitiveness: As African universities increasingly compete on the global stage, having strong grant management systems is key to attracting international funding and collaborations. Universities that successfully secure international grants enhance their reputation, attract top-tier faculty and students, and establish themselves as leaders in research.
- Leveraging National Development Goals: Research funded by both domestic and international donors can support national development objectives. Areas such as sustainable agriculture, public health, and infrastructure development require significant research input, which can only be achieved with robust grant support systems in place.
- Efficiency and Transparency: Properly resourced GMOs ensure that grants are managed efficiently, reducing administrative errors and promoting financial accountability. This transparency builds trust with funding agencies, ensuring continued support for research projects.
Call for Action
In conclusion, Kenyan universities must recognise the pivotal role that functional, well-resourced grant management offices play in their research and innovation ecosystems.
For too long, faculty and researchers have been left to navigate the complexities of grant applications without adequate support. This must change if Kenya is to leverage the full potential of its academic and research capabilities.
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The government, university administrations, and funding bodies must work together to ensure that grant management offices are staffed with well-trained professionals and equipped with the necessary resources to support faculty and researchers.
Only then will Kenyan universities be able to unlock the full potential of research, contribute to national development, and achieve global competitiveness in the academic and scientific arenas.
Author is a Higher Education Policy Actor, Researcher & Educator in Kenya.
