The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) has received the good news that at its meeting on March 10, 2022, the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Corporation of New York approved our grant application titled “Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme at Makerere University and Partner Public Universities (CECAP), 2022-2024” worth US$1,250,000.00 (Grant No. G-20-57626).
To any Research Administrator, there is no other greater source of inspiration and motivation than winning an internationally competitive grant! Many of you that have ever won a competitive grant know well the amount of ecstasy, gratification and indeed satisfaction that comes along with such an announcement. Frankly, writing a grant-winning proposal is a stressful and strenuous process. Whether you are a seasoned grant writer or are preparing your first proposal ever, grant writing can be an intimidating endeavor! Writing a successful grant application has nothing to do with the excellent scientific publications to your name.
And so we are overjoyed that we submitted coherent work-plans, compelling motivational statements, and demonstrated superior experience in grant management. Yes, we did and this award reflects the endless hours we spent securing support letters, negotiating contracts, and responding to reviewer comments.
Success is sweet. But it’s sweeter when it achieved thorough coordination, cooperation, and collaboration. Thank you PIC for such great teamwork. Congratulations! And like I have always said, the way to success is always difficult, but we still managed to get ourselves to the top and be honored. Today, we are winners and we truly deserve it!
Take home message: Writing a grant proposal is an integral part of the scientific process, and mastering this skill is crucial for any academic seeking to carve out their own research niche. As funding is getting tighter and more competitive, it is only the most resilient academics that will secure future grants.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, DRGT, Makerere University