Expanded Strengthening of Makerere University's Research Administration Capacity Program (E-SMAC)

Makerere University College Of Health Sciences, Kampala

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract Uganda, a low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), faces a high burden of disease, particularly communicable diseases, which accounts for over 50% of the morbidity and mortality in the country. Over the past ten years, Makerere University, the leading research-intensive institution of higher learning in the country, has become a leader on the African continent in research that is working to address some of the highest impact health problems. In just a decade, Makerere University has become the third highest recipient of biomedical research in Africa with over $100 million in funding from the NIH alone. Makerere Universities College of Health Sciences is host to the highest number of researchers and awardees of 25 active grants from NIH to Uganda. The growth in research funding brings with it administrative requirements, such as financial management, grants management, reporting processes and procurement systems. Alongside this growth in grants, there needs to be strong research administration support staff who are experienced in the regulatory requirements and systems that funders like the NIH use, as well as be able to be informed about regulatory changes and educate staff and faculty in turn. At Makerere University, the research administration capacity, until recently, had not been able to keep up with this rapid growth in funding. To address this discrepancy, the University is committed to supporting the strengthening of research administration infrastructure for staff through continuing education, as well as the establishment of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to ensure knowledge transfer and sustainability. To do this, Makerere University College of Health Sciences is partnering with Northwestern University Havey Institute for Global Health. This project is a continuation of work that the two institutions, longtime partners, have engaged in since 2021 to share knowledge and practices to support the growth of research administration infrastructure. Strengthening staff and institutional capacity in research administration at Makerere University will cement a positive research culture and environment and benefit all who are working to improve the health of disadvantaged populations within Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa. Specific aims of this project are: To strengthen NIH grants administration at Makerere University College of Health Sciences by providing senior researcher administrators with advanced training and mentored exposure to pre and post award best emergency response grants management practices and standard operating procedures; and to develop training standard operating practices (SOPs) for enhancing the implementation of institutional best grants management practices at Makerere University and other Ugandan research partner institutions for best practices and continuous trainings in both pre and post award