KEMRI and Wellcome Forge Stronger Partnership to Enhance Research Funding Success.

On April 16, 2025, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) hosted a high-level engagement with representatives from the Wellcome. The meeting convened KEMRI’s leadership, scientists, and researchers to explore funding opportunities and strengthen institutional partnerships between both Institutions.

The engagement aimed to enhance understanding of Wellcome funding schemes, clarify the application process, and establish clearer expectations for grantees. Both current and aspiring researchers participated, creating a forum where experienced grantees could share insights with early career scientist on the funding landscape.

The Wellcome team, led by Executive Director for Equity Mr. Jimmy Volmink and Senior Manager for Major International Programmes Ms. Yolisa Nalule, was officially welcomed by KEMRI’s Ag. Director General Dr. Mariciannah Onono and Ag. Director Research and Development Prof. Nelly Mugo.

Capturing the essence of the meeting, Dr. Mariciannah Onono stated, “The meeting is for us to demonstrate the work we are doing with the Wellcome funding, to share our aspirations regarding what we would like to see getting funded from the projects that we have, and also to learn from the Wellcome team regarding what’s in their portfolio, what makes a successful application, and what the review process looks like, so that we can be more competitive,”

On his part, Mr. Volmink painted an encouraging picture of the deep relationships the Wellcome has built with research institutions, emphasizing their mission make positive impacts in terms of research outputs and improvements in the health sector as a whole. He reflected on the longstanding partnership, saying, “We just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with you, which sets us on a path for several years to come, to work together to do even greater things than we’ve done before,” and reaffirmed that Wellcome is making efforts to embed equity in all its work.

A key highlight of the engagement was a webinar led by Senior Research Managers Ms. Victoria Pelly and Ms. Georgia Walton from the Wellcome Discovery Research team. They outlined three core funding schemes: Early Career Awards (ECA) for researchers ready to develop their research identity, Career Development Awards (CDA) for researchers with potential to be international research leaders, and Discovery Awards (DA) is open to established researchers and teams aiming to pursue bold and creative research. They happen three cycles a year, with July, 2025 being the nearest timestamp. They emphasized that proposals must have a clear link to human life, health and well-being and can come from any discipline; public health, humanities and social sciences and the physical sciences. Researchers were encouraged to seek peer feedback for a diversified and constructive perspective.

Ag. Director of Scientific Programmes, Partnerships and Grants Management (DSPPGM), Dr. Rose Bosire in her presentation, shared insights into KEMRI’s current funding landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for diversified funding sources. She noted that while the government contributes 40 percent of KEMRI’s annual budget, a significant portion of this support is allocated to human resource costs, leaving limited resources for scientific research. Since 2019, KEMRI has secured eight grants from the Wellcome, amounting to Kes. 247.9 million, a number the Institute aims to grow.

Dr. Bosire outlined five strategic aspirations designed to strengthen KEMRI’s research funding capabilities and ensure long-term sustainability. These include: enhancing institutional grants management processes; diversifying funding sources, with a focus on attracting more Wellcome support; expanding collaborative partnerships, particularly in grants management, compliance, capacity building, and support for early-career scientists; implementing end-toend automation to streamline the entire grant lifecycle; and developing best practices to make the grants and partnerships department financially self-sustaining.

She also highlighted the role of the One Stop Shop program, which provides centralized assistance across all phases of the grant process. This system is central to KEMRI’s vision of becoming self-sustaining and evolving into a regional hub for grant coordination.

The meeting featured presentations by four KEMRI researchers funded by the Wellcome, each sharing insights from their respective projects.

Dr. Cecilia Mbae representing Prof. Sam Kariuki presented on a comprehensive cholera surveillance and intervention project conducted in Nairobi’s Mukuru informal settlement. The study aimed to understand the environmental and behavioural pathways contributing to cholera transmission. The project identified multiple cholera hotspots using clinical and environmental sampling and implemented interventions such as safe water storage and hygiene education. It also includes a clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of delayed oral cholera vaccine doses. The project has significantly contributed to public health knowledge and preparedness.

Dr. Bernard Abong’o presented a study on housing modifications aimed at reducing indoor heat and malaria transmission in low-income communities. Conducted in Kisumu and Kwale, the study introduced passive cooling techniques such as reflective roof painting and cross-ventilation as well as mosquito-proofing methods like screening windows and doors. The study tracks health indicators such as sleep quality, malaria incidence, and productivity. By focusing on cost-effective, community-informed solutions, the study demonstrates a scalable model for addressing dual climate and health challenges in vulnerable populations.

Ms. Sarah Karanja presented findings from a project aimed at increasing eye care access in underserved populations using the Peek digital platform. The study, conducted in Meru and Kwale counties, focused on identifying and addressing barriers that prevent patients’ particularly young adults aged 18 to 44 from attending referral clinics after initial screening. By integrating enhanced patient counselling at the point of referral and sending SMS reminders on the day of appointments, the project significantly improved attendance rates. The intervention demonstrated the effectiveness of tailored communication and follow-up in improving health service uptake. The project is now being proposed to address other non-communicable conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, applying the same model to increase access and equity in primary healthcare delivery.

Dr. Godfrey Bigogo presented data from a study assessing the national burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in children under five years of age. Through hospital-based surveillance across multiple sites, the team found that RSV has become the leading cause of viral pneumonia in infants. The study also highlighted a large number of undetected cases in community settings. In response, the team explored the readiness of Kenya’s healthcare system to deliver RSV prevention tools, such as monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccines. They analysed vaccine delivery windows, facility capabilities, and optimal strategies for rollout. The study provides critical evidence to inform national immunization planning and supports ongoing global efforts to integrate RSV protection into routine maternal and child health services.

Throughout the meeting, collaboration was emphasized as a critical factor for success. All presenters highlighted the role of local and international partnerships in strengthening proposals, ensuring effective implementation, and delivering real-world impact. In addition, a strong recommendation was made to establish a structured mentorship system within KEMRI. Successful grantees were encouraged to guide new applicants through the proposal and implementation process. “researchers must work collectively, share knowledge, and support one another in navigating complex funding environments,” urged Dr. Onono.

To further boost institutional learning, meeting participants called for regular internal brainstorming sessions focused on grant writing, post-award compliance, financial reporting, and navigating funder expectations. These efforts aim to build a stronger foundation for long-term research growth and competitiveness.

The meeting closed on a hopeful note, with both KEMRI and Wellcome reaffirming their commitment to mutual growth and continued collaboration. With improved internal coordination, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, KEMRI is charting a path toward increased success in global research funding.