Grants form a major source of funding for universities especially in developing countries where insufficient funding from governments usually constrains research and academic institutions. But it takes skills to write a winning grant proposal.
More than 60 researchers were, between April 7th and 9th, 2025, the beneficiaries of a hands-on training in grant proposal writing held at Gulu University.
It was organised by the university’s Grants Office with support from BSU, and facilitated by Camilla Riel, the Research Coordinator, Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, Denmark. Riel was backed by some Gulu University researchers including Ass. Prof. Geoffrey Malinga from the Faculty of Science.
The training attracted participants from different campuses, faculties and institutes of Gulu University, and two researchers from the University of Hargeisa (UoH) in Somaliland.
Participants engage in a grant writing exercise during the training held in Gulu University's New Library
The UoH’s participation was based on an arrangement that encourages BSU implementing institutions to partner and support each other as they strive to build their capacity to respond to societal challenges in their localities.
In his remarks, the Gulu University Vice Chancellor, Prof. George Openjuru Ladaah, stressed the importance of the training to the researchers and their universities.
“The outcome of the training is a cadre who is able to write a grant proposal. When you write grants it helps the university with resource mobilisation,” he said.
The training covered 15 topics including an introduction to different types of grants, how to read a call for proposals, budgeting, and finding funding opportunities.
“This training has taught us the essentials of writing grant proposals. Many times we concentrate on nonessential things. She [Camilla] has given us good examples,” said Dr. Expedito Nuwategeka, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Humanities, at the end of the training.
Speaking about the training, BSU Coordinator Dr. Agatha Alidri said it was meant to skill Gulu University staff in grant writing and also to help BSU actualise its dream of establishing a grants department or directorate at Gulu University.
BSU Coordinator Dr. Agatha Alidri (m) in a conversation with Camilla (l) and Scholastica Amito, the head of the Grants Office at Gulu University
“These grants will improve the staff’s research and academic quality. We shall then be able to ensure excellence in the faculties and departments. This training is like a loud call to the university community to see the importance of grant writing and management. I am glad it has drawn the participation of the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor [Academic Affairs], the Office of the Academic Registrar and the Directorate of Planning and Development among others,” said Dr. Alidri.
Scholarstica Deborah Amito, the head of the Grants Office, said she was “overly impressed” with the big turn up.
“We targeted 50 participants but we overshot that number. The participation was interactive and engaging. I am overjoyed,” she said.
“We shall do a follow-up to see how they are getting on with their proposals. We shall track the participants to establish their success with their proposals,” she added. Each participant had a proposal to practically work on during the training.
Prof. David Okello-Owiny, the DVC in charge of academic and research affairs at Gulu University, advised the participants to develop a culture of teamwork while pursuing as well as implementing grants.
The occasion was also used to celebrate the PhD achievement of Dr. Asaf Adebua, the Director of Planning and Development at Gulu University. Adebua is the latest to receive a PhD among those supported by BSU.
Deputy DVC David Okello Owiny (r) leads the BSU team in appreciation of gifts from Camilla at the end of the three-day training
BSU is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark through Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC).
