Barely a year after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and Covenant University, a workshop to give life to the relation was recently held at the University.
The IPA-Covenant University Impact Evaluation Workshop held between 18th and 20th November 2024, saw the Founding Chair, DEPECOS Institution and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC), Professor Evans Osabuohien, deliver a presentation titled ‘Competitive Grant Proposal Writing: What We Should Know & Why.’
Professor Osabuohien who was instrumental to the ideation and execution of the IPA-Covenant MoU enlightened participants on several rudiments of Grant Writing, drawing from his vicennial experience. Using his success in securing the grant for the ongoing J-PAL study on ‘Assessing the effect of digital and flexible payment options on the uptake of health insurance in the Nigerian informal sector’, he admonished participants on the possibilities of grant winning. However, it begins with the mind.
Additionally, he stressed the fact that taking steps to apply for a grant is about offering services to both the grant awardee and the applicant. According to him, the process must not be done with a beggarly mindset, but with an understanding that it is a mutually beneficial process.
Speaking from a methodical perspective, he averred that grant writing and winning can be viewed with both a scientific and art lens, and as such, should not be linearized to one aspect of execution.
Furthermore, he counselled participants to work with the knowledge that the process of grants application is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring endurance and perseverance for a reward. All you need is a YES!
Speaking further, the Professor of Economics at Covenant University, Ota, noted that grant writing is a non-linear process and differs across applications process. In addition, he encouraged the audience to see opportunities in all aspect of grant application including rejection, because rejection is not a death sentence, but an avenue to press forward and leverage the knowledge and experiences gained in the process
Professor Evans Osabuohien concluded his presentation by charging the audience to make the most out of collaboration, which is essential in grantsmanship, as the benefits could be far reaching than immediate returns.
The IPA-Covenant University Impact Evaluation workshop was not just a foundational start with the signed MoU, but an harbinger of an impactful relationship between both institutions.
