Building Grants Management Capacity at Aga Khan University

The Challenge
Although research investigators from institutions in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC) are increasingly recipients of large international grants, administrative support necessary to seamlessly submit applications, process and manage funds, comply with donor institutions and oversee human resources is often lacking. Structured, directed training for administrative staff in such institutions is needed, but administrators rarely have access to this.

Project Goals
Through a G11 grant from the NIH, we aim to achieve the following goals:
1) Understand the needs and gaps in research administration and management at AKU  in Nairobi, Kenya.
2) Improve the knowledge and skills of AKU research administrators and grant managers.
3) Strengthen the ability of AKU research administrators and grant managers to submit successful NIH, CDC and other donor-funded HIV grant applications.

Our Approach
TREE has partnered with the University of Washington and Aga Khan University Hospital to provide administration training at AKUH. Our program encompasses several strategic areas:

1) Extensive on-the-ground assessment of AKUH administration by UW experts in research administration and grant managers through key stakeholder interviews and examination of SOPs.

2) Implementation of a series of 7 in-person training workshops in Nairobi, facilitated by UW program faculty and staff over three days, covering topics such as financial accountability, equipment management, the development and implementation of SOPs.

3) Faciliation of site visits to the UW in Seattle, WA by up to 10 AKU trainees to provide interactive experience with the robust research administration and management system at the UW.

4) Mentorship from UW program faculty to 12 AKU  staff. Mentors communicate with mentees at AKU on a regular basis to discuss and facilitate pre-award preparations and management of grants.

5) Online homework and courses in financial and grant management delivered by TREE. Dozens of trainees at AKU throughout East Africa will be eligible to take the online courses.