Mountains of the Moon University, through the Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation (DGSRI), is pleased to announce the Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) Call for Proposals for the financial year 2026/27. This competitive grant supports high-impact, transformative research and innovations that address community challenges and contribute to Uganda’s national development agenda.
Per Project
Projects Funded
Months Duration
Key Dates: Call Opens July 7, 2026 | Deadline August 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EAT)
Why This Fund Matters
The MMU-RIF is a strategic initiative to position the University as a centre of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Supported by the Government of Uganda, the fund aligns with the MMU Strategic Plan 2025/26–2029/30, the MMU Research Agenda 2023–2028, and national priorities including NDP IV and Vision 2040. Projects are expected to generate practical solutions that improve lives, create jobs, and drive sustainable development.
Who Can Apply
The call is open to full-time academic staff at Mountains of the Moon University. The Principal Investigator must be an MMU staff member, and interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged.
Mandatory Team Composition: Each proposal must include at least one member from industry, one from the community, and at least one student. A strong mentorship component for young researchers is also required.
What the Fund Supports
The fund prioritises innovative ideas with potential for practical community impact. Projects should demonstrate clear links to national development priorities and MMU’s strategic focus areas, including agriculture, tourism, energy, and environmental sustainability. The fund is particularly interested in ideas that can be translated into marketable products, scalable services, or community interventions.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to MMU.RIF2026@mmu.ac.ug. Proposals should be written in Times New Roman, font size 12, single-spaced, with normal margins, and must not exceed 25 pages.
Proposals should follow the prescribed structure, including a clear problem statement, well-defined objectives, a practical methodology, a realistic implementation plan, and a detailed budget with justifications. Proposals sent directly to individual staff members will be disqualified to avoid conflicts of interest.
Expected Outputs
- Up to 10 innovations or startups commercialised or rolled out to the community
- Minimum 20 publications in Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed journals
- Increased research capacity for staff and students
- More graduates pursuing higher degrees
- Enhanced MMU visibility and industry linkages
Eligible Expenses
- Data collection, experimental work, and analysis
- Report writing and computing costs
- Equipment and research technology development
- Dissemination activities (piloting, exhibiting, etc.)
- Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Scopus-indexed journals
- Personnel costs for non-government payroll staff
Selection Process
All proposals undergo an eligibility check, followed by a rigorous blind peer review process with two external reviewers per proposal. Assessment is based on contribution to national priorities, clarity of the research problem, soundness of methodology, team strength, and budget feasibility. Only proposals scoring at least 60% are considered for funding. The final selection is made by the Research Grants Management Committee.
What Happens After Selection
Successful applicants will be notified via email and must participate in online financial grant management training, develop a procurement plan, and sign a contract with the DGSRI. All awardees will also attend a Human-Centered Design (HCD) workshop. Funds are released in phases, subject to proper accountability and achievement of key milestones.