Call for Proposals: Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) – Apply Before 30 April 2026

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026
Funding Envelope: Up to CAD 500,000 over approximately 2.5 years

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), alongside funding partners including the Government of Norway, the United Kingdom’s FCDO, and Wellcome, invites proposals to establish and operationalize a Capacity Strengthening Hub under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Hub will function as a continental coordination and knowledge platform to strengthen research and innovation management systems among participating Science Granting Councils (SGCs). The call is open to eligible organizations or consortia based in sub-Saharan Africa with demonstrated expertise in research and innovation management and institutional capacity strengthening.

Strategic Context

Launched in 2015, SGCI has evolved through multiple phases and is now implementing SGCI-3 (2026–2030). The initiative supports 20 national SGCs across sub-Saharan Africa, strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) systems aligned with national development priorities.

SGCI-3 focuses on three outcomes:

• Increased production of high-quality Africa-led research and innovation
• Enhanced STI policy influence
• Strengthened research and innovation management operations

The Hub will directly contribute to Outcome 3 by coordinating capacity strengthening efforts across participating Councils.

Purpose of the Hub

Under the strategic guidance of the Capacity Strengthening Committee (CSC) and in collaboration with the Program Management Team (PMT), the Hub will:

• Coordinate annual capacity-strengthening plans
• Maintain a digital learning platform
• Facilitate knowledge exchange across Councils
• Monitor institutional development progress
• Promote demand-driven, context-sensitive support

Importantly, the Hub will not deliver training, mentoring, peer-learning activities, or technical assistance directly. These activities will be funded and contracted separately.

Core Functions

1. Coordination and Planning

• Conduct needs assessments across SGCs
• Develop flexible annual capacity-strengthening plans
• Recommend service providers for implementation activities
• Ensure responsiveness to emerging needs

2. Knowledge Management

• Manage and enhance the SGCI digital learning platform
• Maintain toolkits, guidelines, and training repositories
• Facilitate multilingual and accessible knowledge-sharing mechanisms

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

• Implement an SGCI-wide organizational MEL framework
• Track capacity-strengthening progress
• Produce synthesis reports and knowledge products
• Support adaptive learning across Councils

4. Operational Support

• Facilitate CSC meetings and documentation
• Identify emerging thematic priorities (e.g., AI, digital transformation)
• Strengthen communication and feedback loops among Councils

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered organizations or consortia based in sub-Saharan Africa
• Demonstrate expertise in research and innovation management
• Have experience working with public STI institutions, particularly SGCs
• Show strong capacity in MEL systems and digital learning platforms
• Demonstrate knowledge of gender equality and inclusion in research systems
• Be able to operate in English and French (Portuguese is an asset)

Proposal Requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically through Survey Monkey Apply. Proposals may be submitted in English or French and must include:

• Abstract (300 words)
• Background and justification
• Coordination methodology
• Knowledge management plan
• MEL framework
• Operational support strategy
• Ethics and safeguarding considerations
• Risk mitigation plan
• Team capacities
• Budget justification

Additional documentation includes:

• IDRC budget template
• Legal registration documentation
• CVs of key personnel
• Institutional financial documentation (upon selection)

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:

1. Technical Understanding and Responsiveness (50%)

• Clarity of approach to coordination, knowledge management, MEL, and operational support
• Alignment with SGCI-3 objectives
• Understanding of scope limitations

2. Team Composition and Qualifications (25%)

• Technical expertise across all functional areas
• MEL and digital platform experience
• Leadership capacity
• Linguistic capability
• Gender and regional diversity

3. Budget and Feasibility (25%)

• Realistic and justified budget
• Value for money
• Feasible staffing and timeline

Selection Process

The review process includes:

• Eligibility and completeness screening
• Joint technical evaluation by the PMT and CSC
• Ranking and final selection
• Institutional assessment
• Proposal refinement and Grant Agreement negotiation

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by May 25, 2026. Final agreements are expected to be concluded by June 30, 2026.

Gender Equality and Inclusion

Applicants must demonstrate a robust approach to gender equality and inclusion (GEI), including:

• Analysis of power dynamics and structural inequalities
• Integration of sex- and gender-disaggregated data
• Clear GEI objectives and indicators
• Adequate budgeting for GEI activities
• Demonstrated team expertise in gender analysis

Superficial references to inclusion will not meet evaluation standards; proposals must show rigorous integration of GEI principles throughout design and implementation.

Strategic Significance

The Capacity Strengthening Hub represents a critical mechanism for institutionalizing sustainable research governance and management systems across Africa’s science funding landscape. By coordinating structured, evidence-informed capacity development, the Hub will enhance the long-term resilience and effectiveness of SGCs in supporting Africa-led research and innovation.

This call provides a significant opportunity for qualified African institutions to lead a continental platform that strengthens science systems, advances gender equality, and supports sustainable development outcomes.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the funding. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.