Developing Research Grants Management Capacity to Enhance Epidemic Preparedness
Recognising the crucial role that research management plays in ensuring the conduct of quality and relevant research in the West Africa subregion, WARIMA successfully concluded a five-day Research Grants Management Training in Abuja, Nigeria from 13th to 17th January 2025. This specialised training program brought together 30 participants from institutions participating in the Advancing Research Capacity in West Africa (ACR-WA) initiative, addressing critical capacity gaps in research grants administration and management.
The training, generously supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), was strategically designed to strengthen research management capacity across participating institutions, with particular focus on the specialised skills required for effective grants management. Participants engaged with essential topics including grant proposal development, budget planning and management, compliance requirements, financial reporting, and post-award administration processes.
The curriculum addressed the complete grants management lifecycle, from pre-award planning through project implementation to closeout procedures. Participants gained practical experience in developing robust financial management systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing multi-institutional collaborations, and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Special attention was given to the unique challenges and opportunities associated with managing international research grants in the West African context.
The training emphasised hands-on learning through case studies, group exercises, and real-world scenarios that participants encounter in their daily work. This practical approach ensured that attendees could immediately apply newly acquired skills and knowledge to their ongoing grant management responsibilities, enhancing the overall effectiveness of research projects within their institutions.
By focusing on institutions within the ACR-WA initiative, the training contributed to building a network of research management professionals equipped with standardised best practices and shared approaches to grants management. This strategic alignment supports the broader goals of strengthening research infrastructure and promoting collaborative research efforts across West Africa.
The ARC-WA initiative is geared towards driving efforts to strengthen clinical research capacity in West Africa, helping the region better prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.
The enhanced skills and knowledge gained through this training will have a direct impact on the quality and efficiency of research project implementation, ultimately contributing to improved research outcomes and institutional capacity across the West African region.