In our continued efforts to build research capacity in Zambia, Zambart conducted a week-long grant writing workshop to strengthen the proposal development skills of postdoctoral staff and Southern Africa Research Capacity Network (SOFAR) fellows, supporting efforts to build sustainable research capacity in Zambia and across Southern Africa.
Facilitated by Prof. Helen Ayles, Professor Infectious Diseases and International Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Zambart, the workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills in identifying and interpreting request for proposals (RFPs), developing grant applications, and shaping to research strategies. The sessions combined interactive learning with focused discussions on viable grant opportunities, peer review of target opportunities and writing directions, institutional compliance, to guiding CV enhancements, ORCID profile synchronization, and compelling personal statements.
The training also focused on framing core research questions, defining project objectives and specific aims and how to synthesize ideas into precise, one-page project summaries.
Practical sessions allowed participants to apply workshop concepts, receive feedback, and strengthen their approaches to developing fundable research proposals.
Funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3) and the European Union, SOFAR supports emerging researchers through mentorship, fellowships, training opportunities, and collaborative learning platforms.