Second Training on Grant Proposal Writing and Sourcing of Funds

Machakos University, through the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Technology Transfer (RITT), hosted the Second Training on Grant Proposal Writing and Sourcing of Funds on Wednesday, 29^th January 2025. The one-day training, was specifically designed to enhance the capacity of academic staff and postgraduate students in developing credible grant proposals to attract research funding.

The event was officially opened by Prof. Stanley Makindi, representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joyce Agalo. In his opening remarks, Prof. Makindi highlighted the importance of research funding in driving innovation and academic excellence, urging participants to leverage the knowledge shared during the training to advance their capacity to develop fundable research proposals.

The training featured distinguished facilitators, including Prof. Solomon Mumah from the Technical University of Kenya and Dr. Philip Mayeku from the Institute of Primate Research. The sessions covered key aspects of grant proposal writing, including:

• Team Formation and Conflict Management – Prof. Solomon Mumah provided insights into building effective research teams and strategies for conflict resolution to foster collaboration.
• Developing Budgets and Work Plans – Dr. Philip Mayeku guided participants on crafting realistic budgets and structured work plans for research projects.
• Personal Experiences in Grant Writing – Prof. Zachary Getenga and Dr. Hezborne Tindih shared their practical experiences in securing research funding, providing valuable lessons for aspiring researchers.

The training served as an interactive platform for both academic staff and postgraduate students to gain hands-on knowledge and skills and engage with experienced researchers. By equipping researchers with essential skills in grant proposal writing and fund sourcing, Machakos University re-affirms its commitment to fostering a robust research culture and academic excellence.