Makerere University has received special funding from the Government of the Republic of Uganda, earmarked to support high impact Research and Innovations. This unique initiative arose after engagements between the top University Management and the Government of Uganda. The fund illustrates the increasing importance that the Government attaches to Research and Innovation as a driver of development and transformation. 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. The fund is therefore aimed at complementing available research funding to address unfunded priorities critical to accelerating development across different sectors of the economy in Uganda. This Financial Year (2019/20), 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 Uganda shillings has been disbursed by the Ministry of Finance and is already on the Makerere University Account. To ensure continuity, the Government has committed to provide this funding for atleast three Financial Years. The University Management has responded promptly: A Framework for Management of the Government Research and Management Funds has been developed. A multi-sectoral Grants Management Committee has been appointed after wide consultations with the Colleges and has received the Terms of Reference. Available funds are obligated to be spent within the current Financial Year, with actionable results that speak to national priorities. The Grants Management Committee therefore plans to source, vet, select and issue grants to teams that demonstrate a clear link to Government and its implementing partners’ key development research gaps.
For more information visit: https://rif.mak.ac.ug/guidelines/makrif/