Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”What is a CoP for grantsmanship and research management?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]A CoP is a voluntary group of individuals (or professionals) who share a passion for an activity, and learn how to improve on the performance and delivery of such an activity over time, by sharing knowledge and resources through regular interactions (Wenger, 2011). Community members may use online collaboration tools to share best practices, exchange real-time information and complete self-directed learning (Jones, 2013, How to Start, Grow and Manage a Learning Community of Practice. © D W Jones).
A CoP is characterized by (a) a domain of interest or focus (e.g. grantsmanship), (b) a community of practitioners (e.g. academics, researchers, research administrators as well as bursary and registry staff), (c) a systematic process of practice of the activity (e.g. grantsmanship), through knowledge exchange to actualize the agenda of the CoP, (d) a Code of Conduct among CoP participants, which lays out principles, standards, moral and ethical expectations that members adhere to, during all engagements in the CoP for grantsmanship.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What are the goals?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]Develop a web-enabled CoP for sharing knowledge, processes, data, tools and best practices on grantsmanship and research management in OAU
Design a governance model for a web-enabled CoP to inspire grantsmanship and research management in OAU
Identify and address significant knowledge gaps in grantsmanship, project life cycle and research management under a web-enabled CoP;
Inspire grantsmanship and research management in the digital and ICT age through access to online resources, tools and networks among ECRs and administrators in OAU;
Explore intra- and inter-institutional CoP model to nurture grantsmanship and research management for institutional development.
A web enabled CoP for grantsmanship as a platform for capacity building for all categories of grants, including mega- and high impact institutional grants.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”When is a CoP for grantsmanship and RM web-enabled?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]A web enabled CoP for grantsmanship as a platform for capacity building for all categories of grants, including mega- and high impact institutional grants.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”How is a operationalized?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]CoP Dashboard for the operationalization of the CoP for Grantsmanship
CoP activities through the Dashboard
Members’ database
Proposal upload, review/vetting and feedback
Q&A sessions on grant opportunities, proposal development, pre- and post-awards, sub-contracting, project clos-out, etc.
Access to grant databases (grants.gov, grantcraft, PAEPARD, terraviva, etc.)
Find funding/access to grants and fellowships opportunities through News feeds
Q&A on grants and grantsmanship, etc.
Guidance on the implementation of Research Project life cycle
Opportunity scanning for grants
Pre-award
Post-award processes and procedures
Project Close-out
Project cycle management
Global networks and collaborations on grantsmanship
OAU institutional fact sheets, data, metrics and templates
OAU institutional Data and Metrics on grants
Web-sites of granting agencies and foundations [via News feeds]
Mentorship: Shut-up and Write Philosophy
Navigating proposal submission gateways and portals [e.g. UKRI, EU, Wellcome Trust, TETFund, etc.]
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[su_spoiler title=”What are the deliverables?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]A web-enabled CoP for grantsmanship and research management is established and operational in OAU
Capacity building for grantsmanship and research management is enhanced through a web-enabled CoP
Mirroring the sites of major granting agencies, with Calls for Proposals instantly captured and disseminated
Expanded networks of practitioners of grantsmanship in OAU facilitated by a web-enabled CoP
Intra- and inter-disciplinary collaborations, linkages and partnerships for grantsmanship are enhanced through a CoP
Research administrators and ECRs are mentored and inspired with knowledge, skills and competence in grantsmanship, research management and administration.
Enhanced institutional capacity and reputation of OAU researchers, scholars and administrators in securing and managing grants and research project life cycles facilitated by a CoP.
A functional web-enabled CoP for grantsmanship becomes a blueprint for other Universities in Nigeria and in Africa.
A “One-Stop” site with access to tools and resources on grantsmanship and research management.
Embedding a culture of grantsmanship and research management in OAU through a web-enabled CoP.
Early, mid and senior career researchers and administrators in OAU are inspired with knowledge, skills and competence for high level competitiveness in grantsmanship and research management.
Enhanced institutional reputation and capacity for securing and managing all categories of grants.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”What are the risks and risk mitigation measures?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]e. Risks and Risk Mitigation
| Description of Risk | Action |
| 1. Initial apathy and/slow response by research and administrative staff towards the CoP initiative to drive grantsmanship at OAU, leading to low participation and consequently, slow pace of kick-off of the reform | (a) Sensitize and build high level institutional consciousness about the CoP strategy to drive grantsmanship in OAU
(b) Build incentives into the attendance and full participation of ECR in all the meetings of the CoP (c) Introduce “lunch and learn” (in conformity with COVID-19 protocols) (d) Appeals to Heads of Departments and units to adopt flexible schedules for ECRs and research administrators to ensure full participation in the CoP programmes. (e) Celebrate early wins (e.g. new IFS, TWAS, CODESRIA grantees, etc.), grantees, to inspire ECRs |
| 2. Workload of ECRs and administrators impinging on the time schedules and participation in CoP activities, leading to staggered participation in the reform, thereby hampering outputs and deliverables | (a) Comprehensive and advanced programme planning that accommodates the schedules of ECR and administrators for the entire Semester & Session
(b) Build-in the option of weekend participation, with incentives (c) Build incentives into full participation in the reform (d) Celebrate successful outcomes of grant applications, to inspire CoP participants |
| 3. Environmental factors (e.g. COVID-19 restrictions) hampering the conduct of physical meetings, leading to low initial commitment and participation | (a) Explore or switch to virtual modes of conducting meetings for the CoP
(b) Incentivize ECR with free credits (data) for internet access, based on full participation (c) Explore a hybrid model that combines physical (following COVID-19 protocols) and virtual meetings when physical meetings are not feasible |
| 4. Low initial success rates in grant application outcomes leading to low morale and impressions about grantsmanship, thereby affecting future participation by stakeholders | (a) Emphasize a consciousness of resilience and tenacity in grantsmanship
(b) Build-in morale boosters through some metrics on grants success rates (c) Connect actors with mentors who are successful grants’ people to guide and inspire ECRs and administrators |
| 5. Initial slow response by OAU hierarchy towards the CoP initiative to drive grantsmanship, leading to a slow pace of take-off of the reform, and endangering overall success |
(a) Institutional buy-in (ab initio) must be ensured and guaranteed (b) Focus on the gains at multiple scales (individual researchers, research teams, Department, Faculty and the University) |
| 6. Constraints in comprehending and harmonizing web contents with the operationalization of a CoP by ECRs and administrators, leading to slow initial take-off and enthusiasm for participation | (a) Intensive initial awareness programmes to link web contents on grants and project life cycles with CoP to build institutional capacity for grantsmanship
(b) All CoP programmes for capacity building for grantsmanship is inspired by web-contents and trend for grants (c) Provide incentives to participants who are motivated by web contents on any aspect of the project life cycle |
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[su_spoiler title=”What are the sustainability indicators for G/ship” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]Institutional buy-in [Institutional commitment to project ownership by HEIs]
Maintain global networks and linkages [e.g. IREX.org, START.org, Volkswagen Foundation, etc.]
Project Alumni networks of Research Administrators and ECR beneficiaries – continuation of project activities by a highly inspired generation of beneficiaries and practitioners of grantsmanship and research management
Sustained access to competitive grants (UASP/IREX, etc.) to expand on the current efforts
Expanded CoP for grantsmanship networks across HEIs in Nigeria, and in Africa[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]