Kaimosi Friends University successfully hosted a two-day Grant Writing Workshop on February 25th and 26th, equipping researchers and postgraduate students with critical skills to secure funding for innovative research projects.

Organized by the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Outreach under the leadership of Prof. Benson Ojwang (Director of Research and representative of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic, Student Affairs, and Research), the event was held at the Governor’s Hall. Facilitators included Dr. Roselida Owuor, Director in the Directorate of Research, Science, and Technology at the State Department for Higher Education and Research (SDHER); Dr. John Nyangena, Deputy Director in the Department of Planning at SDHER; and Ms. Teresia Nyawira, Principal Scientist at the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI).

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter N. Mwita officially opened the workshop, emphasizing its role in advancing KAFU’s research ambitions. “This training is pivotal to building sustainable funding streams for our academic endeavors,” he stated, acknowledging the facilitators’ expertise and the Directorate’s efforts in coordinating the event. Prof. Mwita also praised participants for their commitment to elevating KAFU’s research profile.

The workshop featured hands-on sessions focusing on developing concept notes, crafting fundable proposals, designing log frames, and mastering monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks. Participants engaged in practical exercises tailored to real-world grant applications, ensuring alignment with international standards.

Highlighting KAFU’s growing research community across disciplines such as ICT, Health Sciences, Agriculture, and Education, Prof. Mwita stressed the need for continuous capacity building. “Integrating IT and AI tools is no longer optional—it is essential for cutting-edge research,” he remarked. He also announced the near-finalization of an Institutional Ethics Review Committee to uphold research integrity and originality.

Addressing funding challenges, Prof. Mwita noted, “Government support alone cannot sustain our ambitions. We must leverage external opportunities through compelling, well-justified proposals.” To streamline this effort, KAFU has subscribed to the Research Beeline platform, offering daily updates on funding calls. The university’s structured research system—spanning departments, school boards, and the University Research Board—ensures cohesive coordination, while robust research policies and an academic reward system incentivize top-performing researchers.

The workshop concluded with a renewed focus on empowering KAFU’s scholars to address societal challenges through funded projects. Prof. Ojwang reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to fostering innovation, stating, “This training marks a strategic step toward positioning KAFU as a global contender in research excellence.”

With strengthened grant-writing skills and enhanced institutional support, KAFU researchers are poised to amplify their contributions to sustainable development, both locally and globally.