Global Science: Capitalizing on Opportunities for Africa

Anne C Petersen, PhDU Michigan & Global Philanthropy Alliance

Invited Presentation UMichigan African Studies Center STEM-Africa Conference at KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana May 28-31, 2012

Global Science US National Science Foundation (NSF)

as example of Minority World science policy

NSF Director Subra Suresh said recently “Good science anywhere is good for science everywhere.”

NSF now has a global research agenda NSF just hosted the first meeting of the

Global Research Council – a summit on merit review

Opportunities for African STEM

IncreasedEconomicActivity

Other STEM Opportunities African Govt/Academy/Academe

• African Union commitment to S&T• AAS, ASADI, national academy changes• University efforts – PAU, other change

African diaspora• Some diaspora scientists returning• Those remaining away want to partner• Need continued focus: benefit Africa

Funding• Increased R&D efforts within Africa• Increased external funds to Africa• Need increased investments

ASADI

Yes Challenges Exist Major: Weaknesses in many African

universities• Too many universities for resources• Insufficient research infrastructure• Too few PhD faculty

Women especially underrepresented – need all available talent

Minor: • Research funding still scarce• Unstable politics in some countries• Global recession still affecting Europe and

US (with effects on external funding)

Global R&D Spending

CurrentResources

Effective Approaches Most important: National goals with investment

in R&D • Example: China, Singapore, South Africa (Mbeki)

Close second: Bottom up commitments to build capacity• Example: Maori (NZ) 500 PhD Project

More research collaborations• Example: Africa Array - Council for Geoscience, Wits

U, Penn State More partnerships among institutions for

education and research• Example: U Michigan UMAPS Program and this

conference series

Additional Approaches

Partnerships with Industry• Many willing to fund R&D in Universities• Systemic issue: faculty salaries high enough

Research Parks• Highly successful in many countries• Must have upfront funding for Park and start up

funding for emerging science companies Online Resources

• Online data bases (eg Google, Minority World Universities)

• Online capacity building (eg e-learning)

Resources to Accomplish Goals

Usually only consider money People: greatest resource for

programs Human spirit - more powerful than

anything else as long as we don’t impede or destroy it.

But will discuss funding opportunities

Sustainability of Efforts

Goal is sustainable efforts. Sustainability requires enduring,

effective partnerships. Good partnerships require:

• mutual interest• mutual benefit• mutual respect• mutual responsibility

Possible Sources of Funds

Government (own country, others) Corporate (not to be underestimated) Private philanthropy

• Foundations • Individuals

Other (eg, member fees, activity fees, fee for service/contracts, endowment)

Information on US Foundations

The Council on Foundation’s U.S. International Grantmaking Project: http://www.usig.org/

Information and resources on international grantmaking.

The Foundation Center: http://www.fdncenter.orgThe Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy. The Foundation Center collects, organizes, and communicates data on U.S. philanthropy; conducts research on the field; provides education and training on the grantseeking process; and provides public access to information and services through the website.

FoundationSearch: http://www.foundationsearch.com/A North America source of web based foundation funding information for non-profits.

European FoundationsEuropean Foundation Centre: http://www.efc.beFunder and information source.

Summary

Time of opportunity for African R&D Challenges remain but can be

addressed Are existing approaches that have

demonstrated effectiveness Use diverse approaches for funding Most important is to plan

strategically for best outcomes

Thanks!