The National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya, with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), has rolled out national action-oriented calls that are aimed at providing researchers and innovators with the needed tools to commercialize their research results, connect with the potential customers, promote uptake of research outputs from previously funded research projects as well as mainstream gender equality and inclusivity in research and development.

Sustainable food systems must be developed and implemented to improve the food situation in Kenya. Therefore, research on agriculture and food plays a key role in improving food systems and nutrition. 

This call aims to enhance research findings from previously funded research projects into economic and social uses, promote private sector partnerships in research and innovation in Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture, and enhance gender equality and inclusivity in Research, Science and Technology sector.

Applicants are requested to submit concept notes for research projects with the potential to provide solutions to improve income generation, nutrition, and access to food for disadvantaged populations, promote sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems, and the competitiveness of Kenyan agricultural products.

Concept notes must be timely, with rapid implementation to facilitate the generation of valuable early outcomes. A successful application will be funded up to a maximum of KES. 10 million for eighteen (18) months. Interested applicants can access the call guidelines and concept template here.

As Kenya strives to become an industrialized middle-income country by 2030, developing the leather and leather goods sector offers an opportunity for industrialization and diversification of exports. In addition, the leather and leather products development along the value chain is critical, as Kenya targets the manufacturing sector to raise the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from less than 9% to 15% by 2030.

The objectives of this call are to promote a sustainable and competitive leather industry, enhance research findings projects into economic and social uses, promote private sector partnerships in research and innovation in the leather industry and enhance gender equality and inclusivity in the leather industry.

Applicants are requested to submit concept notes focusing on research and innovation activities, value addition, technology transfer, development of leather product incubation, standardization of leather products, development of SMSEs in the leather sector and training in leather products.

Concept notes must be timely, with rapid implementation to facilitate the generation of valuable early outcomes. A successful application will be funded up to a maximum of KES.3 Million for a period of eighteen (18) months. Interested applicants can access the call guidelines and concept template here.

According to the Kenya Ministry of Health, mental illness affects at least 25 % of the population, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent conditions. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges with the economic downturn, social isolation, and uncertainty, increasing the burden on mental wellness. Therefore, there is a need for interventions that can address mental health challenges in Kenya, especially for vulnerable populations such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and those living in poverty.

The objectives of this call are to develop innovative and effective mental wellness interventions, promote mental wellness, prevent and manage mental illness, improve access to mental health services, reduce stigma, increase awareness of mental health issues, promote the overall well-being of individuals and communities as well as enhance gender equality and inclusivity in mental health research.

Applicants are requested to submit concept notes that focus on developing evidence-based mental wellness interventions that can improve the lives of individuals, families and communities in Kenya. 

Concept notes must be timely, with rapid implementation to facilitate the generation of valuable early outcomes. A successful application will be funded up to a maximum of KES. 5 Million for a period of eighteen (18) months. Interested applicants can access the call guidelines and concept template here.