The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), through the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF), today marked a historic milestone with the official launch of the National Research and Innovation Fund at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.
The event, held under the theme “Awakening the Giants: A New Era of Disruptive Research and Innovation for National Transformation,” brought together Cabinet Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, development partners, representatives of the diplomatic corps, academia, researchers, innovators, students, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Honorable Professor Pierre Gomez, described the launch as a significant step in strengthening The Gambia’s research and innovation ecosystem. He noted that while the country possesses immense talent and innovative potential, sustained national progress requires institutions that can support, finance, and translate knowledge into practical solutions for development.
The Minister highlighted that the National Research and Innovation Fund was established under the NRIF Act 2025 as a semi-autonomous statutory body mandated to fund research and innovation, strengthen institutional and human capacity, and ensure that research contributes directly to national development priorities.
Professor Gomez further emphasized that the establishment of NRIF was guided by an extensive consultative process involving 177 participants from 108 institutions across government, academia, the private sector, civil society, innovation hubs, and development partners. He commended the NRIF Governing Board, Management, and Secretariat for their dedication in building an inclusive and responsive institution.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the official declaration of the NRIF Funding Windows and the launch of the inaugural Call for Proposals. Researchers, innovators, institutions, and entrepreneurs across the country are now invited to submit proposals aimed at addressing critical national challenges through evidence-based research and innovative solutions.
The Minister also officially launched the NRIF Endowment Fund, which seeks to establish a sustainable financial foundation for research and innovation in The Gambia. With a target corpus of GMD100 million, the Endowment Fund will support future generations of researchers and innovators while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Fund.
In his remarks, Professor Gomez called on government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and Gambians in the diaspora to contribute to the Endowment Fund and support the country’s research and innovation agenda.
Concluding the ceremony, the Minister formally declared the National Research and Innovation Fund fully operational with immediate effect, describing it as a critical platform for unlocking the latent potential of Gambian researchers, innovators, and students.
The launch of the NRIF marks a new chapter in The Gambia’s development journey, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to promoting research, science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable national transformation.
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