DRID-UEW Mobilises Academic Leaders to Boost Research Funding and Grant Success
The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has intensified efforts to strengthen the University’s research ecosystem by engaging Deans, Heads of Department (HoDs) and research leaders on strategies to improve grant acquisition and research productivity.
The strategic engagement, held at the North Campus Mini-Conference Room on Tuesday, 30th June, 2026, focused on strengthening institutional support systems for grant development, enhancing research collaboration, building staff capacity and positioning UEW to compete effectively for local and international research funding opportunities.
In his welcome address, Prof. Enoch F. Sam, the Director of DRID, emphasised the importance of external research funding in advancing UEW’s academic mandate and enhancing its global research visibility.
He acknowledged the University’s progress in research and innovation but noted that more could be achieved through increased participation in competitive grant opportunities and stronger collaboration among faculties and departments.
“Many funding opportunities remain untapped due to limited awareness, inadequate collaboration and insufficient engagement with available support structures,” Prof. Sam stated, urging academic leaders to take ownership of grant development processes and build research teams capable of responding to competitive funding calls.
A presentation by Dr. Adams Osman, Coordinator for Grants Sourcing and Proposal Development at DRID, highlighted key barriers affecting grant acquisition including limited confidence among early-career researchers, inadequate proposal-writing skills, weak alignment between research interests and funding priorities and challenges in identifying research partners.
Dr. Osman stressed the need for vibrant faculty and departmental research groups as a foundation for improving grant success. He explained that such groups would promote mentorship, knowledge sharing, collaboration and the development of stronger research proposals.
Participants at the engagement shared experiences and proposed practical measures to improve the University’s performance in grantsmanship. They emphasised the need for persistence in grant writing, noting that successful researchers often submit multiple proposals before securing funding.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of strategic networking through conferences, research partnerships and international collaborations as pathways to accessing funding opportunities and strengthening proposal competitiveness.
A key recommendation from the engagement was for UEW to adopt a more proactive approach to grant acquisition by identifying priority research areas, developing concept notes and engaging potential funding organisations with solutions-oriented research proposals.
Participants further advocated for stronger institutional recognition of grant-related activities, including proposal development and successful funding acquisition as important indicators of academic productivity.
Speaking of DRID’s capacity-building initiatives, Dr. Philip Siaw Kissi, Coordinator for Capacity Building and Development, announced plans to introduce internal research funding schemes and awards to support innovative ideas and help staff gain experience in developing competitive proposals for larger external grants.
Dr. Richard Osei Agjei, Coordinator for Consultancy and Patent Services at DRID, encouraged researchers to look beyond publications by exploring consultancy, innovation and intellectual property opportunities that translate research outcomes into practical solutions for society.
Closing the engagement, Prof. Alfred Kuranchie, the Deputy Director of DRID, commended participants for their contributions and assured participants of the Directorate’s commitment to supporting faculties and departments in building a stronger research culture.
He noted that achieving improved grant success would require collective commitment, active research teams, mentorship and sustained institutional support.
The Deans and HoDs subsequently committed to revitalising departmental research groups, promoting collaboration among academics, encouraging regular proposal development activities and working closely with DRID to enhance UEW’s grant acquisition outcomes.
The engagement forms part of UEW’s broader agenda to strengthen research excellence, foster innovation and position the University as a leading institution for impactful research and knowledge creation in Ghana and beyond.
