Maintaining Financial Sustainability with Independence Webinar (ADI 2024)
The financial sustainability of African science academies has become a critical challenge. On September 12, 2024, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) addressed this issue through its Academy Development Initiative, bringing together over 20 participants to explore practical solutions.
Dr. Christian Acemah from the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) shared proven strategies based on real experience. His key message: “As long as it is not your money, you cannot become successful.” This highlights why financial independence is essential for maintaining scientific credibility and integrity.
1. Diversified Funding Strategy
- Private sector partnerships for applied research
- Government collaborations for policy advisory services
- International grants for capacity building
- Avoiding over-dependence on single funding sources
2. Strategic Collaboration
- University partnerships for shared resources
- Industry engagement for innovation opportunities
- Peer learning networks among academies
- Multi-sectoral approaches to broaden impact
3. Human Capital Investment
- Staff training in grant writing and financial management
- Professional development for navigating funding landscapes
- Building organizational capacity for sustainability
- Creating expertise in partnership development
Beyond funding diversification, Dr. Acemah advocated for strategic collaboration as both a sustainability strategy and a mechanism for enhanced impact. By partnering with universities, research institutions, and industries, academies can leverage shared resources, expertise, and infrastructure while expanding their influence within the broader scientific ecosystem.
This collaborative approach extends to peer learning among academies themselves. The sharing of best practices, joint initiatives, and mutual support creates a network effect that strengthens individual institutions while building collective capacity across the continent.
Immediate Actions:
- Assess current funding portfolio risks
- Develop diversification strategies
- Invest in staff capacity building
- Establish peer learning connections
Long-term Planning:
- Create 5-year financial sustainability roadmaps
- Build institutional reputation and credibility
- Maintain independence while pursuing funding
- Focus on impact measurement and reporting
The virtual meeting’s participatory Q&A session enabled direct engagement between participants and experts, fostering valuable peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and practical takeaways. Building on this foundation, the discussion will continue at the Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA) on November 25, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria, where face-to-face sessions will provide deeper exploration of funding strategies and detailed action planning for participating academies.
Why Financial Independence Matters:
- Provide unbiased scientific advice to policymakers
- Pursue research based on scientific merit
- Maintain credibility with diverse stakeholders
- Build long-term institutional trust
NASAC’s Academy Development Initiative provides a roadmap for sustainable science academies across Africa. By balancing funding diversification with institutional integrity, academies can build the independence needed to serve their nations effectively.
The goal extends beyond survival to creating robust institutions capable of providing the scientific leadership Africa’s future demands.
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