Haramaya University Boosts Research Capacity with Grant Writing Workshop in Partnership with U.S. Embassy and Ethiopian Academy of Science
Haramaya University successfully concluded a significant capacity-building initiative, hosting a two-day Grant Writing and Research Administration Workshop from April 14-15, 2025, at its main campus.
The event was organized in close collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Academy of Science.
Fifty-five academic staff members, carefully selected from all university colleges, participated in the intensive training program. The workshop curriculum addressed essential skills for securing and managing research funding, covering topics such as identifying funding opportunities, effective grant proposal writing, budget management, fostering interdisciplinary and international collaboration, project execution strategies, and clarifying the responsibilities of principal investigators and university grant offices. Practical, hands-on sessions, including mock grant writing and proposal review exercises, were integral components of the training.
Mr. Ryan Bradeen, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy, represented the Embassy at the workshop. He highlighted that the training is part of a broader U.S. initiative supporting Ethiopian universities, including Haramaya, as they prepare for upcoming transitions to autonomous status.
Mr. Ryan commended Haramaya University’s existing strengths in project implementation while emphasizing the importance of such workshops in enhancing institutional impact. “Empowering junior and mid-career academic staff in project design and management is vital for ensuring a smooth transition to autonomy and for deepening the University’s engagement in development-oriented initiatives,” he stated.
The workshop also shed light on Haramaya University’s internal support structures. Mr. Delil Workicho, the University’s Grants and Contracts Coordinator, elaborated on the crucial role of the newly established Grant Management Directorate. He explained that the Directorate serves as a central hub to streamline grant activities, assisting academic units in identifying funding, developing proposals, ensuring compliance, managing finances, and monitoring project progress.
Participants expressed strong appreciation for the training’s practical relevance.
Dr. Wesagne Brehane, Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, described the program as “insightful” and particularly timely for academics preparing for institutional autonomy, where grant acquisition and management skills are paramount. “One of the standout aspects was its emphasis on developing the skills necessary for crafting effective grant proposals,” Dr. Wesagn noted, adding that the focus on critically reviewing proposals was unique and valuable for understanding reviewer expectations. He also praised the hands-on activities and the trainers’ sharing of real-life experiences.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Yirgalem Alemu from the College of Social Science and Humanities called the training “eye-opening and remarkable,” citing “compliance and resilience” as crucial takeaways from the trainers’ extensive experience. Overall, participants felt the workshop provided essential skills and boosted their confidence in navigating the complexities of grant management.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Kemal Kasim, Delegate of the Vice President for Research and Community Engagement, extended gratitude to the U.S. Embassy and the Ethiopian Academy of Science for their collaboration. He encouraged the participants to actively utilize their newly acquired knowledge and skills and stressed the critical role of such capacity-building efforts in Haramaya University’s ongoing journey toward institutional autonomy.
Reporter: Shemsedin Mohammad
Photographer: Fuad Ahmed
Haramaya University Public and International Relations Directorate