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Association of Research Managers and Administrators 

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Association of Research Managers and Administrators 

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Wellcome supports discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we're taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, climate and health and infectious diseases.

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Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa

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Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa

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The following present opportunities for AESA:

Africa is home to15% of the world's population and 5% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) but accounts for just 1.3 % of global investment in research and development (R&D) and 198 researchers per million inhabitants (2015 UNESCO Science Report). Additionally, the continent has the fastest-growing population in the world which represents a population dividend that will need to be harnessed and grown to contribute to knowledge for spurring economies. For the continent to achieve even the world average for the number of researchers per head of population, it will need to rapidly train one million new PhDs, according to AAS estimates. The investment will need to be directed towards infrastructure and career development, both at universities and other research organisations to ensure those who are trained stay on the continent. Africa loses thousands of professionals every year to developed countries who often leave because they are frustrated by the lack of infrastructure and mentors.

Africa carries about 15 % of the global burden of disease but its scientific output represents 1.6% of the global share, meaning it's not producing enough evidence to address its challenges. This problem is most exemplified by the limited African-led research and data driven solutions which resulted in only 8 per cent of contributors to the 2018 IPCC assessment report being African. Additionally, Africa's role and influence in international negotiations on climate change is challenged by weakened capacity due to an attrition of experienced negotiators and the lack of a strong evidence base from the continent to inform negotiations.

Despite that most African countries face similar health and developmental challenges, a 2010 report by Thomson Reuters found that of the continent's six stronger research nations - Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia - not one had an African country among its top five collaborating countries. There is greater need for intra-Africa collaboration to ensure researchers do not work in silos and to maximise the impactful use of the continent's limited human resources and infrastructure.

Historically, international funders have been giving money to researchers or institutions in the Global North who then distribute it to partners on the continent due to mistrust. The result has been that the science agenda for the continent has been historically defined from outside instead of within. By funding African scientists directly, opportunities are being created to develop the continent's scientific capacity.

* There are growing calls to decolonise science and for equity and equitable North/South partnerships as well as South/South partnerships that benefit the people, scientists, communities, and economies of Africa. The colonial legacy has meant there is a shameful history of exploitation of the natural and human resources of Africa by other countries. Only by taking their fate into their own hands can Africans be effective guardians of their own health and wellbeing.

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The Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) | The AAS

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The following present opportunities for AESA: Africa is home to15% of the world's population and 5% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) but accounts for just 1.3 % of global investment in research and development (R&D) and 198 researchers per million inhabitants (2015 UNESCO Science Report).

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The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit Pan-African organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a hosting agreement with the government of Kenya. The AAS' vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science. It is the only continental Academy in Africa enjoying the support and recognition of the African Union, as well as several governments and major international partners.

It has a tripartite mandate: to recognize excellence through its highly prestigious fellowship and award schemes; to provide advisory and think tank functions for shaping the continent's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) strategies and policies; and to implement key STI programs aimed at addressing Africa's developmental challenges.

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AAS vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science. It has a tripartite mandate: to recognize excellence through its highly prestigious fellowship and award schemes. It is the only continental Academy in Africa enjoying the support and recognition of the African Union partners.

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We hope you find this toolkit useful and would love you to know what you think! 📢

Has it made a difference to the way you work? Have other colleagues found it helpful? What else could we include to make it better?

We want to hear your stories! So please rate posts on the competency pages and post comments about how the learning affects your day-to-day work!

Or click to share your own expertise, resources, links and top tips! 📢

You can also drop us a line at enquiries@arma.ac.uk!

Thank you!

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Research Managers from universities and research organisations across Kenya and the North East of England co-produced this toolkit as part of the joint ARMA-AAS International Research Managers Staff Development Project. The initiative aimed to foster UK-Africa collaboration between Research Managers to share their professional experience.

Find out more about the joint ARMA-AAS International Research Managers Staff Development Project and meet the team behind this toolkit.

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A deep dive into research development and the skills you need for the job. Hear about research development support experiences from researchers and funders in Africa and the UK.

What is research development?

Who does research development and what skills do you need?

Hear from NIHR Global Health, African Academy of Sciences and MRC Applied Global Health Board

Q&A with Principal Investigators

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Grant writing in manageable chunks! Learn about types of funding and grab top tips from funders on how to support a stellar proposal. You'll also discover specialist advice on ODA compliance, gender equality and safeguarding.

What’s the best funding for me?

What do I need to write in each section of an application?

How can I write a grant effectively?

What impact does ODA compliance, gender equality and safeguarding have on research? How do I incorporate them into my project plan and grant application?

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3️⃣ Project costings, contracts and post-award support

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3️⃣ Project costings, contracts and post-award support

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Follow the lifecycle of a research grant. Get advice and presentations on how to create accurate budgets, research costing models, grant submission, contracts and post-award financial management.

How do I support the process of grant application submission?

How do I work out the cost of a project for a grant application?

What sort of contract do I need?

How do I manage my project?

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The Research Manager Competency Toolkit offers expert guidance, presentations and resources to support your professional development in three core areas:

1. Research development

2. Grant writing

3. Project costings, contracts and post-award support

Research Managers from universities and research organisations across Kenya and the North East of England co-produced this toolkit as part of the joint ARMA-AAS International Research Managers Staff Development Project. The initiative aimed to foster UK-Africa collaboration between Research Managers to share their professional experience.

Research Managers seeking professional development or wanting to upskill in specialist areas should use the Competency Toolkit padlet pages to access the wealth of top tips, training materials and advice compiled by the project team.

Find out more about the joint ARMA-AAS International Research Managers Staff Development Project and meet the team behind this toolkit.