The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) has expressed commitment to providing necessary financial resources to innovators who are working to spur social and economic development of Malawi.
Vice Chairperson of the state-funded Commission, Professor Limbikani Matumba, said innovators have a critical role to play in stimulating economic transformation of every nation; hence, their resolve to work closely with them to support and promote their work.
Matumba made the remarks at the Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Monday when the Commission presented small grants to the 2024-2025 awardees.
“Allow me to thank the Government of Malawi for continually supporting such initiatives through the Science and Technology Fund. The importance of this fund cannot be over-emphasised as it is the genesis of supporting lasting transformative ideas and technologies as we strive to achieve a knowledge-based economy by 2063,” he said.
The small grants scheme is one of several financing instruments under the Science and Technology Fund. Others include the institutional grants, technology innovation grants and several others.
Matumba said the Commission realises the positive impact that these small grants have had on the innovators and researchers, added that they look to continue on that positive trajectory.
He said in keeping with its mandate, NCST periodically invests through the same fund in research and development of appropriate technology of national interest.
Matumba described the award presentation ceremony as a momentous time to recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in research, science, technology, innovation (RSTI) and related capacity building endeavours in the field, adding that this is evidence that the Commission remains steadfast in promoting, supporting, regulating and coordinating RSTI in the country.
At the same function, the NCST Vice Chairperson announced that the Commissioners have approved revised guidelines for the small grants with effect from 1 April 2025, taking into account the challenging macro-economic environment in which the innovators are expected to deliver on their projects.
“It is against this background that, during the 36th Board meeting, for NCST, the Commissioners, approved revised guidelines for the small grants with effect from 1st April, 2025. Thus, we have raised the minimum grant amount from MK3 million to a maximum of MK10 million for, technology transfer and commercialisation, research dissemination, General Events, production of journals, dissertation grants have been revised as follows: A maximum of MK3 million for Undergraduate dissertation, MK5,000,000.00 for a Masters Program and up to MK7,000,000.00 for a PhD Program. While travel grants have been raised to MK5 million,” he announced.
Matumba further stated that the Commissioners resolved to encourage co-funding of the projects with research institutions that receive the grants by requiring the institutions to waive the administrative fees collected from research funds; and included equality, gender and inclusivity as an important pillar for the award of various grants.
Chawanangwa Mwakisalu, a representative of the awardees, commended both the government and the NCST for adjusting the grants upwards, stressing that the increase will stimulate innovators to work harder in their respective fields.
“We’re extremely happy for that response, and we’re pretty sure now there’ll be a lot of applicants. And I think there’ll be a lot of development in terms of innovations, rather sponsored, and that will actually improve the welfare of Malawians in terms of agriculture,” said Mwakisalu.