Building a thriving research & innovation ecosystem
The National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) was established under the National Research and Innovation Fund Act, 2025 (a statute of the Republic of The Gambia, Official Gazette ISSN 0796-0298) as The Gambia's dedicated national institution for building a thriving research and innovation ecosystem.
Established as a strategic instrument of national development, NRIF finances research, develops talent, and convenes the partnerships that convert knowledge into solutions, and solutions into impact. The Fund operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) and is governed by an independent multi-stakeholder Governing Board.
To be a leading national institution driving excellence and impact in research and innovation for sustainable and inclusive development.
To mobilise and strategically invest resources in high-quality research and innovation, strengthen national capacity, and foster partnerships that generate knowledge, solutions, and measurable impact for The Gambia.
Six Strategic Priorities
All NRIF programme and funding decisions are guided by the following six priorities.
Strategic Research Funding
Financing high-quality research aligned with national development priorities and addressing societal challenges with direct policy applications.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Supporting startups, innovation laboratories, and scalable solutions with commercial potential.
Capacity Development
Systematically strengthening human capital and institutional infrastructure for a high-performing national research system.
Partnerships & Collaboration
Convening cross-sectoral partnerships between academia, industry, government, and international bodies.
Knowledge Management & Policy Influence
Enhancing research evidence uptake in policymaking and increasing the visibility of Gambian knowledge.
Resource Mobilisation
Operating a diversified, blended financing model that ensures sustainability and expanded programme reach.
Alignment with National Development Priorities
All NRIF funding decisions reference The Gambia's National Development Plan (NDP) as the primary guide for national priority alignment.
| NDP Priority Area | NRIF Contribution |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and food security | Research on mechanisation, seed adaptation, value chains, food safety; agricultural innovation support |
| Youth employment and irregular migration | Innovation in high-potential employment sectors; student and TVET research support |
| Waste management | Applied research and innovation pilots; circular economy development |
| Health and social protection | Implementation research; data systems for welfare and social registry |
| Climate and environmental resilience | Research on adaptation, renewable energy, and environmental enforcement |
| Skills and human capital | TVET curriculum reform; workforce readiness; postgraduate pipeline |
| Digital governance and data systems | National data infrastructure; analytical capacity; evidence-based governance |
| Private sector development | Research-industry linkages; SME data systems; commercialisation support |