Research funding challenges? There are ways to overcome them

While one of the biggest challenges facing research in Africa is inadequate funding from state and non-state actors, there is no shortage of competitive international funding for research globally, and local researchers need to improve their grant application skills to win the funding.

They must consistently fine-tune their grant and publication writing skills and equip themselves with the knowledge and the tools required to compete for international grant opportunities by, among other things, publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

This will enhance their reputations and increase their chances to win research funding, but it requires significant personal effort, said Professor Tumani Corrah, a distinguished Gambian researcher and founder of the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF).

While organisations such as AREF are “dedicated” to supporting emerging researchers to improve their fundraising capabilities, the researchers can still advance their research and development (R&D), despite constrained finances.

They can do this by leveraging local resources, collaborating with local industries by partnering with businesses and industries to access expertise and funding, in addition to leveraging open-source software, databases, and other resources to reduce costs.

“They should explore innovative funding models, such as crowdfunding options, to access funding from different sources, and prioritise research areas that are relevant to local needs and challenges,” said the president of the London-based organisation.

This is besides applying cost-effective research methodologies such as surveys and case studies, and developing and strengthening the social sciences, which are not expensive undertakings.

Advocacy for research funding

“Persistent advocacy for higher national investments, including as part of a political pressure group, must remain at the top of the agenda, coupled with rewarding research excellence at institutional and national levels. By adopting these strategies, research communities in Africa can advance R&D despite constrained finances, Corrah told University World News in an interview.

On the other hand, strengthening institutions to improve their capacity to attract and manage funding, backed by strong research support offices is a “must”, he said, adding that establishing mentorship programmes to pair experienced researchers with early-career researchers, was important to increase “equitable research networks and partnerships”.

This can be complemented by efforts to attract investors who prioritise social impact alongside financial returns, using online platforms to access funding from many people, and participating in global research initiatives and partnerships to access both funding and expertise.

Equally important is increased sharing of research findings and expertise through open-access platforms and other knowledge-sharing networks.

Research priorities

Given Africa’s challenges, research priorities should focus on areas that address the continent’s most pressing issues, including health research with a focus on prevalent diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases and emerging health threats.

The continent should prioritise research that empowers African institutions and promotes local leadership in healthcare, capacity-building, food security and nutrition, as well as economic development, said the AREF president.

In addition, it should focus on cross-cutting themes with a focus on strengthening research institutions, improving research management and developing research skills, while encouraging pan-African collaborations, international partnerships and knowledge-sharing.

While increased funding for universities is important, it, alone, is unlikely to spur increased research and knowledge production unless it is accompanied by “competitive disbursement of research funding targeted at capacity-building programmes and building research-conducive environments”.

It should also be boosted by “adequate and transparent” reward for research excellence, Corrah added.

Across Africa, universities produce most of their research through their postgraduate students – research that is rarely implemented or acted upon. This ranges from basic to applied research, all of which have their inherent merits.

Impactful research

However, for a continent faced with a myriad of challenges, the research that will be most impactful should contribute to solving challenges.

“Unfortunately, implementation research, which studies the best methods of bringing research findings into policy and practice, is not the forte of many African institutions,” Corrah said.

He said that one way of overcoming the challenge was for researchers and institutions to foster collaborative initiatives, in which communities, policymakers, government and other stakeholders are effectively engaged as partners from the onset. This will greatly enhance the local uptake of findings, he noted.

Aid crisis

The withdrawal of aid from the United States in recent months, he noted, has significantly affected research and treatment programmes for TB, HIV and malaria, particularly jeopardising treatment continuity, and risking a resurgence of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses, as well as increased transmission.

It has also jeopardised global health security by pausing or discontinuing HIV/AIDS programmes, increasing the risk of drug-resistant HIV strains and cross-border disease transmission. Also, it can have significant economic implications, including reduced workforce participation and strain on fragile economies.

“A serious gap has been created. African governments must step up and fill these gaps. Innovative ways are required to reduce, if not eliminate, dependency on foreign aid,” he added.

The suspension of aid provides an opportunity for the African Union (AU) to take charge in mobilising resources for their financing.

It presents an opportunity for African countries, under the direction of the AU, to build more resilient higher education research ecosystems, well-funded and structured to survive similar funding shocks in the future, Corrah told University World News.