New small grants initiative to boost research at MMUST

By Hassan Ismah

Contents

Focus and funding Who can apply?Application process Deadlines

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has announced the launch of its Small Grants Initiative (SGI), a KES 20 million programme designed to support innovative research and the application of new technologies.

The initiative aims to fund projects that address pressing societal challenges while contributing to Kenya’s national development goals. According to the university, this programme is a strategic step toward fostering a stronger research culture among its staff.

Focus and funding

The SGI will provide funding for research in key priority areas, including:

Agriculture and food security
Health systems
The green and blue economy
Engineering
Business and entrepreneurship
Education
Cross-cutting issues that integrate multiple disciplines

Each successful project will receive up to KES 500,000 in funding for a one-year period. The grants are intended to help researchers move their ideas from concept to practical impact.

Who can apply?

The lead applicant, or Principal Investigator (PI), must be an MMUST staff member on a permanent, pensionable, or contract basis.
All MMUST academic staff are eligible to participate in research teams.
Teams must be multidisciplinary, bringing together experts from different fields.
Researchers from outside MMUST may be included as collaborators, but the project must be led by an MMUST staff member.

Application process

Applications will be managed electronically for efficiency. Proposals must:

Use the official template (not exceeding 10 pages).
Be formatted in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.
Be submitted by email to dvc.pri@mmust.ac.ke, with a copy sent to dir.research@mmust.ac.ke.
Use the subject line format: MMUST Small Grants Proposal_[PI Name]_[Department].