UNIMA Hosts Grant Writing Workshop Aimed at Transforming Research Ideas into Fundable Proposals

A three-day grant writing workshop is underway at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), bringing together 40 participants from across the University, to strengthen their grant proposal development skills.

The workshop, organised by the Centre for Social Research (CSR) in collaboration with the Department of Research and Innovation, aims to build the capacity of researchers to effectively translate innovative ideas into competitive, fundable research proposals.

Officially opening the workshop, the Director of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at UNIMA, Dr. Maurice Monjerezi, underscored the importance of equipping researchers with the knowledge and skills required to secure research funding and enhance the University's research output.

"Many promising ideas fail to secure funding not because they lack merit, but because they are not effectively translated into compelling grant proposals," said Dr. Monjerezi.

"This workshop has therefore been designed to bridge that gap by strengthening our capacity to compete successfully for both national and international research funding," he added.

The Head of the Centre for Social Research, Dr. Yamikani Ndasauka, said participants are expected to acquire practical grant writing skills over the three-day training, enabling them to develop high-quality proposals capable of attracting funding from both local and international donors.

The workshop is expected to build practical skills in research design, budgeting, and grant financial management; strengthen participants' ability to conceptualise research ideas around current and emerging themes and enable them to develop complete, fundable research proposals from problem statement to methodology.

The workshop, which commenced on 13^th July, 2026, has attracted academic staff, researchers, early-career academics, and staff involved in research management and development.

One of the participants, Frackson Manyamba who is a lecturer in the Department of Academic Skills and Careers, noted that the skills he will gain will have a lasting impact on his academic career.

"As a lecturer, this workshop will equip me with skills that can have a lasting impact on my academic career. For instance, these skills will increase my chances of securing research funding, publishing more high-quality research, building collaborations with local and international researchers, and enhancing my promotion prospects through successful grant acquisition. These skills will also enable me to generate resources that will benefit my department, the University, and the surrounding communities," he said.