Haramaya University Bolsters Research Capacity with Comprehensive Grant Writing and Management Workshop
In a strategic move to enhance its research capabilities and foster a robust culture of grant acquisition, Haramaya University’s newly established Directorate of Grant Management successfully conducted a comprehensive Grant Writing and Management Workshop.
The program, held in two rounds, equipped academic staff with essential skills for securing and managing research funding.
The first round of training took place at the Health and Medical Sciences Campus from May 24-25, 2025, with over 20 employees participating. Subsequently, more than 70 faculty members attended the second round at the main campus from May 31 to June 1, 2025.
According to Mr. Delil Workicho, Grants and Contracts Coordinator at Haramaya University, the initiative, a collaborative effort with the Office of the Vice President for Research and Community Engagement, aims to significantly strengthen the university’s research output. The workshops were designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the funding landscape, refine proposal writing techniques, master budgeting and compliance, and foster collaborative project development.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Richard Wentzil, Director of the Directorate of Grant Management, underscored the university’s strategic commitment to identifying and capitalizing on competitive funding opportunities for its academics. He emphasized the Directorate’s diligent efforts in building institutional capacity for effective grant procurement and management.
Dr. Rechard also highlighted the training’s crucial role as the university transitions towards autonomy, enabling the production of highly skilled professionals and the expansion of the university’s financial capacity through externally funded resources.
The workshop curriculum covered a wide array of critical topics, including current funding trends, strategies for successful grant proposal writing, meticulous budget verification, adherence to compliance processes, and effective interdisciplinary and international collaboration strategies.
Participants engaged in practical exercises, notably a mock proposal writing session designed to simulate real-world grant application scenarios.”We are working diligently to enhance the skills of staff across all colleges, ensuring they are well-prepared to compete effectively from the outset in demonstrating their ability to raise funds and present realistic research proposals for external funding,” Dr. Richard stated.
He further noted Haramaya University’s extensive and successful history in securing funding for large-scale projects from prominent donors such as the UN, USA, EU, and World Bank, particularly in resource-focused research. This rich experience provides a strong foundation for staff to develop research partnerships and craft high-quality proposals that align with the university’s strategic objectives.
Professor Jama Haji Mohammed, one of the workshop trainers, elucidated that grant writing is fundamentally the process of crafting a proposal to request funding from a grant-making organization. He stressed that the cornerstone of successful grant writing lies in clearly articulating the objectives of the program or project.
Professor Jema emphasized the importance of thorough research to identify funding opportunities that align with the granting agency’s objectives, effectively communicate the organization’s relevant experience, and include concise and impactful content. He also highlighted the workshops’ aim to equip participants with the understanding to prepare winning proposals for diverse topics and funding sources, comprehending the challenges associated with both local and international collaborations.
Participants expressed profound gratitude to Haramaya University, the Directorate of Grant Management, and the organizers for delivering such a well-structured and impactful workshop. They unanimously agreed that the training significantly enhanced their ability to write effective proposals and navigate the ecosystem of research and project funding sources.
Mr. Firomsa Kebede from the IT Department of CCI College and Ms. Kidist Desta from the Psychology Department particularly lauded the workshop, noting that experienced researchers with rich practical insights presented valuable information on effective proposal development and grant management, sharing both successes and lessons learned from winning competitive grants.
They also highlighted the workshop’s effectiveness in introducing useful tools, such as the SPIN database, for identifying relevant funding opportunities.
Reported by: Shemsedin Mohammed Photographed by: Fuad Ahmed
Haramaya University Public and International Relations Directorate