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Mak-RIF Round 4 Call For Applications

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Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Call for Grant Applications Round 4. Deadline 22nd July 2022.
Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Call for Grant Applications Round 4. Deadline 22nd July 2022.

Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund: Request for Applications (RFA) Supported by the Government of the Republic of Uganda

Round 4, Track 1: New Research & Innovation Agenda-based Proposals Financial Year 2022/2023

SECTION A: BACKGROUND

A1. Funding opportunity description

Makerere University received special funding from the Government of the Republic of Uganda, to support high impact Research and Innovations. The Financial Year 2022/23 will be the fourth year of this fund’s availability. The fund illustrates the increasing importance that the Government attaches to Research and Innovation as a driver of socio-economic transformation. The objective of the fund is to increase the local generation of translatable research and scalable innovations that address key gaps required to drive Uganda’s development agenda. The fund is therefore aimed at complementing available funding to address unfunded priorities critical to accelerating development. Over the last three Financial Years (2019/2020, 2020/21 and 2021/2022), government appropriated 79 Billion Uganda Shillings. Between the three years, MakRIF has funded a total of 775 projects across all sectors critical for development, of which 204 have been completed. In the next Financial Year (2022/23), Makerere University expects to receive about 30 Billion Uganda shillings (about US$ 8,100,000) under the Government Research and Innovation Fund (RIF). Of this, at least 6 Billion Shillings will fund new ideas that respond to a widely consultative Research Agenda focused on national priorities while the rest will fund continuing projects from previous financial years, extension of multi-year projects, needs based priorities, and commercialization/scaling of prior funded projects. The Makerere University Research and Innovation Grants Management Committee (GMC) therefore announces the RIF Round 4, Track 1 (New Research & Innovation Agenda-Based Grants). Available funds are obligated for the Financial Year 2022/2023. The GMC therefore invites applications with original ideas that demonstrate a clear link to key thematic areas of the National Research and Innovation Agenda.

A2. Research for Economic Development

To transition to middle-income status, low-income countries must increasingly invest in research and innovations that provide solutions to persistent development challenges. Universities should be at the fore-front of driving this research agenda. The Government of Uganda is currently implementing the 3rd National Development Plan (NDP) (2020/21 – 2024/25). However, the NDP and sector specific plans require research to fill evidence gaps. The main objective of the RIF is to support R&I initiatives that contribute to better delivery of National Development initiatives in all sectors critical to the economy.

A3. Scope and Technical Description of the Research and Innovation Grant

The RIF GMC’s terms of reference include development of an instructive research agenda as the basis for identifying funding priorities. The GMC conducted a comprehensive stakeholder consultation to identify priority thematic areas of interest for national development. These consultations included meetings with representatives from key government sectors, semi-autonomous government agencies, the private-for-profit sector and civil society. The GMC triangulated this information with that from the National Development Plan III, the Makerere University Strategic Plan and Research Agenda and the critical areas spelled out in the National Budget for FY2022/2023. The RIF Round 4, Track 1 (Research & Innovation Agenda-Based Grants) will therefore specifically target research and innovation projects that align with priority thematic issues in the instructive Research Agenda that arose from these consultations. Research and Innovation ideas are therefore sought in the following thematic areas:

Theme 1: Transforming the agricultural sector to drive development
Theme 2: Achieving Sustainable health as a means to sustainable development
Theme 3: Re-imagining Education to unlock capacity for economic development
Theme 4: Water, sanitation and the environment: A pre-requisite to sustainable development
Theme 5: Harnessing the social sector, culture and arts to drive development
Theme 6: Harnessing tourism, wildlife and heritage to drive development
Theme 7: Sustainable Planning, finance and monitoring as catalysts for growth
Theme 8: Leveraging public service and local administration for efficient service delivery
Theme 9: Defense and security: Achieving sustainable peace and stability
Theme 10: Strengthening law, governance, human rights and international cooperation as pre-requisites for development
Theme 11: Harnessing Information and Communication Technology to drive development
Theme 12: Works, manufacturing, science and technology as tools to accelerate development
Theme 13: Solutions to catalyze business and enterprise
Theme 14: Energy and Minerals as drivers of rapid economic development

The Government Research & Innovation (R&I) Grants will cover all technical disciplines in Makerere University as long as the research questions align with the instructive research agenda themes above. Particular attention will be paid to unfunded priorities, those for which funding has been inadequate, or for which available funding only covers one or a few of the components needed to inform development initiatives in a holistic way. This grant is not primarily meant to supplement existing research projects that already have funding from other sources. However, researchers can apply on the platform of existing projects if they provide a strong justification that there are important funding gaps in the current research project and the added deliverables expected from the additional support to the existing research effort. This grant also emphasizes a multi-sectoral approach. Research groups are therefore encouraged to work with other sectors that complement their technical focus.

A4. Categories and size of grants to be issued:

Grants will be issued in the following categories:

CategoriesAmount (UgX)Approximate No. of Projects*Res.Innov.Total
Cat 1Up to 200,000,000Approx. 2010102,000,000,000
Cat 2Up to 100,000,000Approx. 3417173,400,000,000
Cat 3Up to 50,000,000Approx. 2211111,100,000,000
Approx. 7638386,500,000,000
Categories of Mak-RIF Round 4 Grants

Res= primarily research/research ecosystem-based; Innov= primarily Innovation-based
Note:

  • The R&I Grants Management Committee reserves the right to determine/change the number and size of awards based on prevailing circumstances informed by demand, quality of applications, availability of funds and level of utilization of funds by grantees. 50% of all awards will go to research or ecosystem strengthening projects while 50% will go innovation-based projects.
    • **Experience from earlier RIF calls showed that most applicants (Over 50%) target Category 1 which creates a lot of competition and many otherwise good proposals being un-funded. Applicants for RIF-4 are encouraged to consider all categories.
    • *** Junior Faculty Researchers are STRONGLY encouraged to apply. (Junior Faculty are not defined by age, but by rank and research experience. They are specifically defined as researchers at the rank of Lecturer or below and researchers with less than 5 years of experience in research/innovation or less than 2 years as independent researchers/innovators, or have never been PIs for a research/innovation project greater than US$ 100,000 (or 365 Million Uganda Shillings).

Grant timeline

MilestoneDates
1. Issuance of RFA (Soft launch)Wednesday 22nd June 2022
2. Researcher sensitization meetingThur 30th June 2022 [Meeting details]
3. Q&A periodTuesday 28th June 2022 to Tuesday 5th July 2022
4. Posting of FAQsWednesday 6th July 2022
5. Researcher Support WebinarFriday 8th July 2022
6. Closing date for applicationsFriday 22nd July 2022
7. Selection – stage 1Monday 25th July to Friday 29th July 2022
8. Selection – stage 2Monday 1st August to Sunday 28th August 2022
9. Selection – stage 3Monday 29th August to Thursday 1st September 2022
10. Award notificationFriday 2nd September 2022
11. InductionTuesday 6th September 2022
Mak-RIF Call for Grant Applications Round 4 Timeline

Please below for the detailed Call For Applications and Circular.

Mak-RIF-4-Grant-Guidelines-Request-For-Applications-New-Research-Agenda-Based-ProjectsDownload
Mak-RIF-4-Request-For-Applications-Circular-22ndJun2022Download

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Call for PhD Student Fellowships under H-DATA

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February 6, 2026

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Call for PhD Student Fellowships under Harnessing Health Data Science capacity to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda (H-DATA) training grant, funded by the NIH through Fogarty International Center (Grant Number D43TW013056). A collaborative effort of multiple principal investigators from Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa and University of California, San Francisco, USA.

Program overview

The Harnessing Health Data Science capacity to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda (H-DATA) is a training grant funded by the NIH through Fogarty International Center (Grant Number D43TW013056). This grant is a collaborative effort of multiple principal investigators from Makerere University, Uganda and University of California, San Francisco, USA.

Grant period: 2026/2030 | Principal Investigators: David Patrick Kateete; Charles Batte;   Joyce Nakatumba, Nabende;  Efstathios Gennatas Dimitrios

H-DATA seeks to recruit qualified Ugandans for full-time PhD training in Health Data Science registered at Makerere University.

Thematic areas

Candidates should propose research studies or concepts that apply health data science approaches (AI and Machine learning) to the following thematic themes:

  • HIV risk stratification
  • Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) comorbidities in HIV [Specifically Chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases / hypertension]
  • HIV treatment outcomes, adherence, and long-term ART trajectories
  • Non-Canonical HIV resistance mutations
  • Digital medicine and real-world HIV data
  • Health systems and policy analytics for HIV programs

Fellowship package

The PhD fellowship support is for up to three (3) years (full-time), subject to annual performance reviews and progress milestones. Successful scholars will be registered at Makerere University and may undertake sponsored didactic health data science methods training at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA, to receive additional skills development and mentorship in health data science research.

Application Information

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements:

– Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics/Biostatistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Epidemiology, Public Health, or another data-intensive discipline.
– Demonstrated interest and/or experience applying data science methods/technologies to health research or health systems.
– Strong quantitative or computational skills (e.g., programming, statistical analysis, machine learning, data management).
– Ugandan citizenship and commitment to advancing health data science in Africa.
– Ability to enroll in and complete full-time PhD training at Makerere University.

Note: Additional program- or department-specific admission requirements may apply.

Note: Proof of admission is not required at the time of application. However, preference will be given to applicants who have already secured admission to, or are currently registered in, a relevant PhD programme.		APPLICATION PACKAGE & SUBMISSION

Submit the following documents by email as a single application package:

– NIH Biosketch (maximum 4 pages) including relevant publications (if any).
– Cover letter (maximum 1 page).
– 2-page research concept note highlighting: research problem, specific aims, research design, and analysis plan.
– Academic transcripts and certificates for the relevant Master of Science (MSc) degree.
– Statement of purpose / motivational letter (maximum 800 words) for undertaking doctoral training in Health Data Science.
– Two letters of recommendation with up-to-date contact details from academic referees.

Email subject line (recommended): APPLICATION – Doctoral Scholarship – H-DATA PhD

File naming convention (recommended): LastName_FirstName_DocumentName (e.g., Batte_Charles_CV.pdf)

Application deadline: [February 28th 2026 by 5pm EAT]  

Program contact: [Dr Charles Batte at the address: hdatatraining@gmail.com]
hdatA Training Advert_Student Fellowships_F2Download

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International Fellows Recruitment – Wellcome Sanger Institute

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4 weeks ago

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January 8, 2026

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International Fellows Recruitment - Wellcome Sanger Institute. Photo: ImageFX

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking exceptional early career stage scientists to join the Institute as an International Fellow, contributing to the Institute’s scientific portfolio. Up to six fellowships available. 

The Institute is an internationally outstanding genomic research centre with over 30 core faculty teams and 1,300 employees based south of Cambridge, UK.

Fellowship Eligibility:

  • You are typically an early-mid career group leader/faculty usually up to nine years post PhD, based at a research organisation in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC). You may hold a faculty or equivalent position and are seeking to establish or strengthen your research team to develop an internationally recognised research portfolio. We also welcome applicants with equivalent experience, including those who have taken career breaks or followed non-traditional paths
  • Your main research aims should be focused on your local country and research priorities which contributes to or complements the Institute’s scientific strategy through their expertise.

Closing date: 13th February 2026

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Makerere University Launches Knowledge-Sharing Platform to Drive Innovation and Economic Growth

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2 months ago

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December 19, 2025

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Left to Right: Prof. Sarah Ssali, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Mr. David Kisitu and Dr. Peter Babyenda at the launch of the Platform. Makerere University launch of Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)-funded knowledge-sharing platform designed to bridge research, education, and community outreach, with the aim of accelerating innovation and economic development in Uganda, December 2025, Kampala Sheraton Hotel, East Africa.

Makerere University has launched a knowledge-sharing platform designed to bridge research, education, and community outreach, with the aim of accelerating innovation and economic development in Uganda.

The platform is the outcome of a project led by Prof. Edward Bbaale, which examined how universities can translate research, innovations, and institutional capabilities into tangible impact for communities, businesses, and national economic growth, in line with the government’s tenfold growth agenda. The project was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).

The study also explored how university-based research and innovation can be better aligned with Uganda’s development priorities in agriculture, tourism, mineral-based industrialization, and science and technology, as outlined in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).

Speaking at the launch, the First Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, said the platform would strengthen the link between academic research and societal transformation. She also noted that knowledge production and utilization is a political matter and urged researchers to meaningfully engage and participate in such converstaions.

Dr. Stephen Wandera, representing the Chairperson of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee, described the platform as timely and relevant, noting that it comes at a period when Makerere University is positioning itself as a research-led institution with measurable impact on communities and systems.

“The knowledge-sharing platform will enable researchers to disseminate their work to relevant audiences,” Dr. Wandera said. He added that dissemination workshops are among several avenues available for sharing research findings and urged the project team to explore additional channels, including policy briefs, academic publications, and online dialogue platforms.

Stakeholders from Makerere and other Universities pose for a group photo at the event. Makerere University launch of Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)-funded knowledge-sharing platform designed to bridge research, education, and community outreach, with the aim of accelerating innovation and economic development in Uganda, December 2025, Kampala Sheraton Hotel, East Africa.
Stakeholders from Makerere and other Universities pose for a group photo at the event.

The Director of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, said the dissemination workshop reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to generating knowledge that responds to national priorities, advances innovation, and contributes to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

He added that the Directorate supports initiatives that move research beyond academic boundaries into practical application, policy influence, enterprise development, and community impact.

Dr. Peter Babyenda, the project’s Co-Principal Investigator, said the initiative combined research, outreach, and capacity-building activities, drawing lessons from global models where universities play a direct role in community development by supporting agriculture, industry, and the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Ibrahim Michael Okumu, observed that while Uganda’s universities have produced substantial research, its translation into practical outcomes has remained slow. He cautioned that Makerere University’s relevance will ultimately be measured by the extent to which its work contributes to national development.

Dr. Babyenda noted that the platform will support the development of sustainable research, education, and outreach systems, helping to bridge the gap between university research and real-world application.

“As we launch this platform, I encourage academics, students, industry players, policymakers, and communities to actively engage with it,” Prof. Wamala said. “Let it serve as a living space for dialogue, learning, co-creation, and innovation.”

The knowledge-sharing platform is accessible to the public at www.dissemination.ug. Its launch took place at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala and was attended by officials from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Busitema University, and Soroti University.

Winnie Kyamulabi
Winnie Kyamulabi

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