Midlands State University’s Research and Postgraduate Studies Office hosted a series of two-day Practical Grant Writing workshops at the MSU Gweru Main Campus (17-18 May 2021), Zvishavane Campus (21-22 May 2021), and Harare Campus (27-28 May 2021).
The workshops were aimed at empowering University researchers from the 9 faculties with grant writing skills that will see them come up with winning grant proposals that will see them conduct impactful and sustainable research.
Officially opening the workshop, the Executive Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Professor Laurine Chikoko informed the participants on the vital role of research in providing solutions to societal problems and the need to attract research funds to conduct cross-cutting research that addresses societal and global needs.
Grants Officer, Dr Ivan Manyonga took participants through the various stages of grant writing such as the logical framework approach, stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, objective analysis, determining the scope and boundaries, designing the logical framework matrix, and developing a research budget to mention but a few.
The attendees of the workshop, at each campus, were divided into two groups and made presentations on applying the logical framework matrix on the availed donor Request for Proposals, (RFPs). Dr Eniko Chenge from World Vision Zimbabwe graced the Harare Campus workshop with his presence and clarified the differences between a project and a programme. He further took the participants through the ‘Theory of Change’ and its importance in grant writing.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr Upenyu Guyo highlighted that a key component of becoming a successful academic researcher is the ability to win funding for your research. “Grant writing is a particular style of writing and persuasion to ensure your research stands out amongst the increasingly large and competitive crowd”, he said.