Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI)

Overview

The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is a Sub-Saharan African initiative that supports national science institutions to strengthen their capacity to fund, manage and promote research aligned with national development priorities.

The Initiative brings together science granting institutions from participating African countries to strengthen research management systems, improve the allocation and administration of research funding, promote collaboration and support the application of research and innovation to development challenges.

Ghana has participated in the SGCI through the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) since May 2016. Activities of the Initiative in Ghana are coordinated through the Granting Secretariat under the Research, Statistics and Information Management (RSIM) Directorate.

Current Phase

The SGCI is currently in its third phase, covering the period 2026–2030.

During this phase, the Ministry continues to strengthen Ghana’s participation in the Initiative while supporting the transition towards a more institutionalised national research-funding system.

Following the establishment of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), MEST, through the Granting Secretariat under the RSIM Directorate, is collaborating with the GNRF as part of the process to integrate the Fund into the SGCI as Ghana’s statutory national research-funding institution in accordance with the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056).

Programme Objectives

The Initiative seeks to strengthen the ability of science granting institutions to:

• manage and administer competitive research funding effectively;
• support high-quality research and innovation aligned with national development priorities;
• strengthen research-management and grant-administration systems;
• promote collaboration among researchers and research institutions;
• improve the use of research evidence in policy and development planning; and
• strengthen national and regional research and innovation ecosystems.

Implementation in Ghana

In Ghana, SGCI activities are operationalised through the Granting Secretariat under the RSIM Directorate of MEST.

The Secretariat provides the institutional coordination required for Ghana’s participation in the Initiative and supports the administration and implementation of research-funding activities undertaken under the SGCI framework.

The Ministry also works with relevant national and international partners to strengthen research funding, research management, innovation and collaboration.

Related Research-Funding Initiatives

Activities implemented within the broader SGCI framework have included the Research Investment and Management for Development in Ghana Project (RiMaDe) and Funding for Research and Innovation Projects (FRIP).

These projects supported research funding and research-management activities in Ghana and concluded in September 2025.

The Ministry has also participated in collaborative research-funding initiatives intended to promote cross-border research, innovation and knowledge exchange.

Institutional Transition

An important component of the current phase is the strengthening of Ghana’s institutional framework for research funding.

With the establishment of the Ghana National Research Fund, MEST is working with the Fund to support its integration into the SGCI framework and strengthen its role as Ghana’s statutory national institution for research funding.

This process is expected to support greater sustainability, coordination and institutional ownership of national research-funding activities.

Expected Contribution

Through Ghana’s continued participation in the Science Granting Councils Initiative, the Ministry seeks to contribute to a stronger national research and innovation system capable of supporting high-quality research, promoting collaboration and translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions for national development.

Official SGCI Programme Website

For further information on the wider Science Granting Councils Initiative, including regional activities, participating countries, research opportunities, publications and programme resources, visit the official SGCI Africa website.

Visit the Official SGCI Africa Website