ECOWAS Research Grant Program: Five research proposals to receive funding

On 28 September 2015, ECREEE launched a call for research proposals in policy research. The call was launched under the framework of the ECOWAS Initiative on Youth Leadership Development in Energy, which is one of the five high-impact initiatives of the ECOWAS Programme on Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access (ECOW-GEN). The Youth initiative aims to prepare the region’s young women and men to become globally competitive energy leaders, that in future shape and influence energy development in the region and outside.  As a “catch-them-young” initiative, it works to strengthen the intellectual and professional capacities of the youth in the region to contribute positively to the energy sector and its potential to enhance greater socio-economic change in the ECOWAS region.

To this end, research teams were invited to submit proposals which were ambitious and innovative, and aimed at generating new knowledge for decision making. It was stated that the research proposals needed to demonstrate how and why the results from the research will be of relevance to policy makers. Teams were encouraged to submit proposals in any of the energy fields relating to energy technologies, energy finance, energy economics, energy policy, energy and the environment/climate change, energy and development, energy and gender, energy law etc.

A total of 30 proposals were received from 13 countries in the region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo). Proposals went through an initial screening exercise where compliance to non-technical conditions was assessed.  For instance, proposals that had a budget exceeding the ceiling (i.e. 1500 EUR) or did not submit a budget; were submitted by individuals and not teams; were incomplete or did not include essential documents as stated in the call’s concept note were counted as ineligible. After the screening, only 15 proposals were found eligible for technical evaluation.

Technical evaluation and selection of proposals were done by the program’s Peer Review Committee comprised of faculty members in the following universities:

• Universidade do Mindelo, in Cabo Verde;
• Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2ie), in Burkina Faso ;
• The Energy Center at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in Ghana, and
• The Center for Petroleum, Energy Economics & Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Proposals were evaluated and selected based on 3 criteria:

1. scientific quality of the proposed research
2. policy relevance
3. competency level of the research team

The following indicators were used in assessing the criteria:

Criterion 1: Scientific quality of the proposed research:

• Strength of the hypothesis, theories and/or research questions
• Appropriateness of the methodology and research design
• Applicability of the research and its impact.
• Originality and innovation
• Multidisciplinary approach

Criterion 2: Policy Relevance:

• Relevance of the research to current or planned policy instruments and legislation.
• Contribution to the body of knowledge in energy policy formulation and competence of decision-makers.

 Criterion 3: Competency level of the research team

• Qualifications, skills and competencies of the research team
• Feasibility of the research timetable and suitability of the budget

The final selections from the evaluation exercise comprise of these five proposals recommended by the Committee and endorsed by ECREEE:

Young Energy Researchers’ Mentorship Programme & Network of Young Energy Researchers

Members of the research teams selected for the Research Grant Program will automatically be considered for the ‘Young Energy Researchers’ Mentorship Programme’ and the ‘Network of Young Energy Researchers’, both components of the initiative of Youth Leadership Development in Energy.

Through the Mentorship Programme the team members will gain access to a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise from regional and international energy experts. These mentors will guide and make valuable inputs in the research work of the mentees, as well as providing relevant information that could contribute towards the learning and development process of the young energy researchers.

The mentorship will last over the duration of the project (on average, not less than 1 year). Mentors and mentees are expected to interact for  at least an hour over a 4 weeks period, during the project’s duration, or as needed.

Moreover, as members of the Network of Young Energy Researchers, the opportunities and privileges open to network members will be available to them.

Contact us at [email protected] for more information about the ECOWAS Initiative on Youth Leadership Development in Energy.

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