Six research institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa receive funding
In June 2017, Norad announced a call for proposals for research institutions and organisations based in Sub-Saharan Africa - with a deadline 1 September 2017. The aim of this support scheme is to increase developing countries’ production of research of high quality and relevance that can contribute to poverty eradication and sustainable development as well as to build research capacity.
Norad received a total of 250 applications. The applications that met the formal requirements were assessed by two independent research committees. Norad made the final grant decision based on an overall assessment of the applications in relation to the criteria set out in the call.
Most weight was given to research quality, relevance and communication, which is in line with MFA and Norad’s common research strategy 2017-2024.
Norad has signed agreements with six research institutions totalling NOK 159 million.
The research institutions work within the fields of global health, business development and job creation, climate change and environment, which are priorities for Norwegian development policy. Two institutions have been granted core support while four have been granted programme support.
Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) serves as a Centre of Excellence and received support for its work on medical research and capacity building in Ethiopia and Africa. AHRI’s previous research has focused on tuberculosis, leprosy, Leishmaniasis and malaria, but it has widened its scope to include non-transmittable diseases, medical biotechnology and clinical trials. Norad has granted NOK 40,300,000 for five years.
African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) receives support for its research on social and economic dimensions of development – and the impacts of climate change on the economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. AERC produces research and actively communicates research findings to relevant actors to ensure uptake of research in policy and praxis. AERC works to enhance private sector engagement in policy-oriented research, relevant for business development and job creation. Norad has granted NOK 34,560,000 for five years.
Coastal Ocean Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO–East Africa) receives support for its research on impacts of climate change and inadequate management on the health of marine resources and livelihoods of coastal communities in Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Madagascar. CORDIO-East Africa will engage local communities in the research, and use research findings to influence policies and decision-making on coastal ecosystems in these countries. Norad has granted NOK 15,500,000 for five years.
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) receives support for its interdisciplinary research programme addressing impacts of arthropod pests on social-ecological systems. ICIPE works with participatory research and private engagement in research uptake in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya. The aim is to improve the health, food security and climate resilience of people of East Africa. Norad has granted NOK 28,100,000 for five years.
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) receives support for its work on the pest Fall Army Worm (FAW). FAW has spread with an enormous velocity and its destruction of maize yields have serious consequences for small-scale farmers’ income and for food security in Zambia and Malawi. ICRAF will undertake research to limit the impact of FAW using cost-efficient methods based on agro-ecological approaches. Norad has granted NOK 21,600,000 for five years.
Tropenbos International Ghana (TBG) receives support for its work on small-scale mining in forest areas in Ghana. TBG will collect data to reduce the knowledge gap on integrated land use, organise negotiations between different actors and contribute with inputs to policy development. TBG will also reforest degraded mined out lands and propose alternative income-generating activities for illegal miners. Norad has granted NOK 16,200,000 for four years.