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What is the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI)?

The SGCI is an initiative that strengthens the institutional capacities of 17 participating Science Granting Councils (SGCs) to support research and evidence-based policies.

Based on partnership agreements, the DFG and NRF South Africa pool their financial support and expertise for joint SGCI activities, e.g. the Peer Learning. 

 

What was the goal of the Peer Learning? 

The goal of the Peer Learning was to explore good practices in other research systems regionally, but also internationally. The activity was meant to enable exchange on jointly selected focus topics, thus fostering mutual understanding. The Peer Learning also feeded into the current discussions on the upcoming SGCI-III phase including measures for a continued DFG/NRF Partnership.

Who was participating in the Peer Learning? 

Participants in the Peer Learning were… 

• Representatives of 15 SGCI participating SGCs on Head of Research Council as well as senior staff level.
• Representatives of the SGCI Collaborating Technical Agencies (CTAs) supporting the SGCs in all matters regarding research and grant management [1](externer Link)
• Representatives of the NRF South Africa as DFG’s partner in the SGCI.
• Representatives of the SGCI Funding Partners: IDRC, FCDO, Norad, Sida [2](externer Link)

Which focus topics have been covered? 

Focus topics for the Peer Learning have been co-created with the participating SGCs in a virtual pre-meeting. The selected topics were: 

• Impact: How do we generate, document and communicate research impact?
• Partnerships: Why and how to develop and steward partnerships for research?
• Research Infrastructure: Good practices in sharing of research infrastructure.
• Curiosity-driven research: A value proposition for CDR in all research systems.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity: A value proposition for EDI in a post-2025 era.  

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[1](externer Link) Human Sciences and Research Council (HSRC), Association of African Universities (AAU), African Centre for Technology (ACTS), University of Johannesburg (UJ).

[2](externer Link) Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, UK), Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).