Sharing the EWA-BELT Experience: Prof. Sheila Okoth, University of Nairobi at the Grant Writing Workshop for Kenyan Researchers and Innovators (Horizon Europe Focus)

Professor Sheila Okoth, UoN

The University of Nairobi, Partner of the EWA-BELT Project, hosted a Hybrid workshop on Grant Writing for Kenyan Researchers and Innovators on Monday, 3rd November 2025, focusing specifically on securing funding from Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme.

This event, which aligns with Horizon Europe’s "Africa Initiatives" to enhance Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) partnerships between Europe and Africa, aims to build the grant writing capacity of Kenyan researchers and innovators to enable their effective participation in Horizon Europe. Through targeted training, the initiative enhanced the quality and competitiveness of research proposals submitted by Kenyan institutions, aligning with national development priorities and European Union funding standards.

By fostering international collaboration and strengthening Kenya’s national innovation ecosystem, the partnership supports long-term goals of science diplomacy, research excellence, and sustainable development.

The workshop was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, the Delegation of the European Union to the African Union, and EURAXESS Africa. It attracted an impressive turnout with over 250 onsite participants and 2,340 online participants.

Among the objectives; Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) were defined as pivotal tools for Kenya’s development, particularly in areas such as agricultural innovation, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable development. Kenya’s STI policies are aligned with global frameworks, including:

· The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

· The African Union’s Agenda 2063

· The Kenya Vision 2030

The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers. Dignitaries included: H.E. Ambassador Henriette Geiger, Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi. Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Technology and Innovations, Prof. Abdulrazak Shauk, among others.

The Programme opened with the presentation of the event by the Moderator, Dr. George Ooko Abong, Acting Director of Advancement and Institutional Dev’t, Ondrej Simek - Deputy Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Kenya,a Kizito Ojaamong - Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

A major highlight was the session featuring previous awardees from various EU projects, including Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Testimonials demonstrated the transformative potential of EU funding, not just for individual researchers' careers, but for enhancing the overall research output and innovation capacity of Kenyan institutions.

Within this framework, among the EWA-BELT Consortium, Professor Sheila Okoth (UoN) shared valuable insights from her experience in proposal development and highlighted key strategies for successful grant writing. She emphasized the importance of finding a call that aligns well with one's research idea rather than trying to fit an idea into any available call. Building a complementary and capable consortium was underscored as critical, focusing on partners with the right expertise and a strong commitment to the project. She advised clear articulation of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives, as well as the importance of addressing risk management, realistic budgeting, and effective consortium management for project success. She also discussed outcomes from two EU-funded projects, including research on aflatoxin contamination in Kenyan food systems. 

The project's focus is on generating scientific knowledge, developing early warning systems, and engaging with regulators to improve food safety in unregulated value chains, such as milk and cereals. Innovative approaches include microbiome-based fermentation solutions and AI-powered tools to support farmers in disease control. The work also involves training and empowering local farmers and stakeholders, with the goal of sustainable impact on food safety and agricultural productivity in Kenya.

The workshop concluded with a renewed sense of optimism among participants, who are better positioned to compete for large-scale international funding and elevate Kenya's role on the global research stage. The organizers emphasized that this capacity-building exercise is vital for ensuring that African voices and priorities are strongly represented in international research and innovation projects.

This call to action resonated with the audience, highlighting the critical role of researchers in shaping Kenya’s future.