A successful grant proposal is built on a foundation of thorough background research, a robust methodology, and a compelling narrative that highlights the relevance, feasibility, and impact of the proposed research project. These were the central themes of the presentations by Professor Evans Osabuohien, the Founding Chair of DEPECOS Institution and Development Research Centre (DiaDeRC), at a two-day workshop focused on empowering African researchers to craft winning grant proposals.
The workshop, jointly organized by The Education Collaborative and Covenant University International Office and Linkages, aimed to equip participants with practical skills for developing competitive grant applications.
In his first lecture on 2nd December 2024 titled “Foundations of Grant Writing and Core Skills: Background Research and Strong Methodology,” Professor Osabuohien emphasized that grant writing is an intentional process of transforming research ideas into compelling proposals. He underlined the importance of gathering relevant information to justify the research, establishing a clear understanding of the problem, and creating a methodology that ensures the project’s goals are achievable. “A strong methodology provides the roadmap for achieving a research project, making the proposal practicable, measurable, and realistic,” he stated.
Professor Osabuohien shared essential components for crafting a successful proposal, these include, alignment with funder priorities should address the focus areas of funding agencies and resonate with their mission. He noted that there was need for relevance and credibility which applicant can demonstrate by having a clear understanding of the research problem, its target population, and its context.
He counselled participants at the gathering to seek the appropriate environment to engage stakeholders and collaborate with them towards ensuring a feasible and secure buy-in for the project.
Professor Osabuohien advised the audience to embark on a thorough literature review, as it would serve as a firm ground to establish the research in existing studies thus justifying the proposed intervention.
In another presentation on 3rd December titled “Evaluation and Risk Management in Grantsmanship,” Professor Osabuohien guided participants on addressing potential challenges and uncertainties in their proposals. He advised against unrealistic promises of zero risks, advocating instead for detailed mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
“Risk management is about anticipating challenges and showing preparedness to address them. This increases the confidence of funding agencies in your project,” he remarked.
He outlined the components of effective risk management, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation strategies, and contingency planning. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of stakeholder involvement in evaluation and risk planning, as well as the use of both quantitative and qualitative metrics for performance assessment.
The workshop combined lectures with hands-on activities, enabling participants to apply key concepts in real-time. Professor Osabuohien highlighted critical skills for evaluation and risk management, such as analytical thinking, data management, problem-solving, and effective communication.
The two-day event provided an interactive platform for researchers to master the core aspects of grant writing, including aligning research goals with funder priorities, crafting realistic budgets, and developing clear timelines.
Through his expertise and practical insights, Professor Osabuohien inspired participants to approach grant writing as a strategic process rooted in preparation, collaboration, and adaptability—key elements for securing funding and driving impactful research in Africa.
