CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Theme: Building a Ten-Fold Knowledge Economy through Research, Innovation, and Policy Transformation.
Reference No.: GU/RIF/01/2026

Background
Gulu University is committed to advancing research excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and evidence-informed policy development in support of Uganda’s national transformation agenda. In an alignment with Uganda’s Development Vision 2040, the National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the national aspiration for a Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, the University seeks to strengthen its role as a catalyst for knowledge creation, technological advancement, industrial development, and societal transformation.

To achieve this objective, Gulu University invites competitive applications for 2026 Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) under the theme: Building a Ten-Fold Knowledge Economy through Research, Innovation, and Policy Transformation.

The Fund aims to support high-quality, multidisciplinary, and impact-oriented research and innovation projects that contribute to economic growth, social transformation, environmental sustainability, industrial development, and public policy improvement.

Objectives of the Fund
The Research and Innovation Fund seeks to:

1. Promote innovative and solution-oriented research addressing national and regional development challenges.
2. Strengthen the generation, application, and commercialization of knowledge.
3. Foster collaboration among academia, industry, government, and communities.
4. Support policy-relevant research that informs evidence-based decision-making.
5. Enhance technology development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
6. Contribute to Uganda’s transition toward a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
7. Generate measurable social, economic, environmental, and institutional impact.
   Priority Research and Innovation Areas

Applications are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following thematic areas:
1. Agro-Industrialization and Food Systems Transformation

• Agricultural productivity and value addition
• Food security and nutrition
• Agricultural technologies and mechanization
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Agro-processing and market systems

2. Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation

• Digital transformation and artificial intelligence
• Renewable energy and green technologies
• Manufacturing and industrial technologies
• Biotechnology and applied sciences
• Emerging technologies

3. Health Systems and Human Development

• Public health innovations
• Disease prevention and control
• Maternal and child health
• Health systems strengthening
• Mental health and community wellbeing

4. Governance, Policy and Institutional Transformation

• Public policy analysis
• Governance and accountability systems
• Peacebuilding and conflict transformation
• Decentralization and service delivery
• Legal and regulatory innovations

5. Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability

• Climate adaptation and resilience
• Natural resource management
• Biodiversity conservation
• Circular economy initiatives
• Sustainable development solutions

6. Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development and Industrial Linkages

• Business innovation
• SME development
• Industry-academia partnerships
• Innovation ecosystems
• Technology transfer and commercialization

7. Education, Culture and Knowledge Systems
• Educational innovation

• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Digital learning technologies
• Cultural industries
• Skills development and employability

Eligibility
Applications are invited from:

• Academic staff of Gulu University.
• Research teams comprising academic staff and graduate students.
• Multidisciplinary and inter-faculty research teams.
• University-industry-government collaborative teams.
• Early-career researchers and established researchers.

Collaborative projects involving national, regional, and international partners are highly encouraged.

Funding Categories
The Fund shall support:

• Field Research
• Innovation
• Policy Research
• Technology Development
• Prototype Development
• Commercialization Initiative
• Community-Based Research
• Multidisciplinary Research
• Other (Specify):…………………………………………………………………………….

Expected Deliverables
Successful projects shall demonstrate clear pathways to:

• Knowledge generation.
• Publications and scholarly outputs.
• Innovations, prototypes, or technologies.
• Policy briefs and policy engagement products.
• Community impact and societal transformation.
• Industry partnerships and commercialization opportunities.
• Capacity building and human capital development.

Application Requirements
Applicants shall submit:

• Completed application form.
• Technical proposal.
• Detailed work plan.
• Itemized budget and budget justification.
• Curriculum vitae of principal investigators and team members.
• Ethical approval plan where applicable.
• Letters of collaboration or support where relevant.

Evaluation Criteria
Applications shall be assessed based on:

• Relevance to the theme and national priorities.
• Scientific and technical quality.
• Innovation and originality.
• Feasibility and value for money.
• Potential for policy influence.
• Potential for commercialization and industrial uptake.
• Sustainability and scalability.
• Expected societal impact.

Submission Procedure

Applications should be submitted electronically to: Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Gulu University
Email: drgt@gu.ac.ug
All submissions should clearly indicate: “Application for the Research and Innovation Fund (RIF), 2026.”

Important Dates

Submission Deadline: 8th October, 2026
Review Period: 12th October – 30th October, 2026
Announcement of Successful Applicants: 13th November, 2026
Project Commencement: 20th November, 2026

Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru
Vice Chancellor
Gulu University