This photograph was taken during the recognition of the National Research Fund (NRF) after it attained the highest level of the international Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard. The achievement demonstrates NRF’s commitment to transparency, accountability, sound financial management, and effective administration of research grants, reinforcing its credibility as a trusted institution for managing research funding.”Kenya’s research funding ecosystem has received a major credibility boost after the National Research Fund (NRF) attained the highest level of the international Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Certification, strengthening the country’s position in the global research and innovation funding landscape.
The Platinum Tier certification recognises NRF’s systems for managing research grants and signals stronger safeguards around the governance, accountability and stewardship of research funding.
The achievement could also enhance the Fund’s ability to attract international financing and partnerships at a time when African research institutions are seeking greater access to competitive funding for science, technology and innovation.
NRF underwent an extensive assessment process throughout 2025, including a pre-certification review and an independent audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a licensed GFGP certification body for Africa.
The assessment examined the Fund’s institutional systems across governance, financial management, procurement, human resources, internal controls and grant administration.
Platinum certification represents the highest level under the GFGP framework and requires institutions to meet the standard’s most comprehensive requirements, covering more than 300 assessment criteria.
The recognition is particularly significant as research funders and development partners increasingly place emphasis on the capacity of institutions to demonstrate strong financial controls and transparent grant management.
The GFGP Standard, developed by the Global Grant Community under the stewardship of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), is described as the first international standard specifically focused on financial grant management.
Its objective is to strengthen institutional systems while increasing confidence among funders that research resources are managed transparently and responsibly.
The certification was formally presented to NRF by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in the presence of Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Science, Research and Innovation.
NRF Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala described the achievement as an important milestone for the organisation's grant management systems.
He said the certification demonstrates NRF’s capacity to manage research funding according to international best practices while supporting the development of Kenya’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Beyond institutional recognition, the certification could have wider implications for Kenya’s ambitions to strengthen domestic research financing and attract international investment into scientific research.
For African research funding institutions, robust grant management systems are increasingly important as countries seek to reduce dependence on fragmented external funding and build stronger national research ecosystems.
The Platinum certification therefore positions NRF as a potentially stronger partner for international donors, development agencies, research institutions and other funding organisations looking to channel resources into Kenya.
With the certification now in place, NRF's challenge will be to translate stronger financial and governance systems into greater research investment, improved funding opportunities for Kenyan scientists and measurable impact from publicly and internationally funded research.
Article by Jed Mwangi
Photo courtesy: National Research Fund(NRF)
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