Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund
Flourishing research and innovation systems spur inclusive economic growth and development. The Research and Information Systems in Africa (RISA) Fund aims to expand and reinforce national research and innovation systems in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania.
From strengthening intellectual property systems to turning academic research into technology products and businesses, RISA works with and joins research generators and users to identify innovations and bring them to fruition. RISA equips these organizations with the evidence, training, and technical support necessary to identify and scale appropriate, commercially viable innovations.
RISA will also run a competitive grants program. The grant-funded projects will seek to build intellectual capital in target countries, diversify innovation and research talent pools, provide access to financing, and support networking to facilitate productive relationships within national research communities.
RISA aims to enable African institutions like universities and think tanks to access the knowledge, partners, investors, and markets they need to generate actionable research and influence policy. The program will fund platforms that enable stakeholders to share their knowledge, collaboratively propose and test innovations, and foster sustainable socioeconomic growth and development.
RISA is currently in its inception phase. This webpage will be updated to provide detailed information on RISA’s activities as the program takes shape.
