The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) AFRICA EAST | Eastern Africa | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2019 | Seq No: 8 | ARCHIVED on 24-Sep-2021 | ISR46672 | Implementing Agencies: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 05-Jul-2018 Effectiveness Date: 24-Sep-2018 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 01-Jun-2021 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 19-Apr-2021 Original Closing Date: 30-Jun-2024 Revised Closing Date: 30-Jun-2024 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) To strengthen the institutional capacity for quality and sustainable doctoral training, research and innovation in transformative technologies in sub- Saharan Africa. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1: Capacity Development for the operation and management of the Scholarship, Research and Innovation Fund:(Cost $15.00 M) Component 2: Scholarships and research grants for ASET:(Cost $9.00 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions Overall, there is significant progress towards reaching the Project Development Objective (PDO), which remains relevant and achievable. The COVID, the shift to digital technologies, the need to prepare for green recovery, demonstrate that it is necessary to build long term scientific- technical capability in Africa. Based on an assessment of the key performance indicators (KPIs) it is expected that the PDO will be achieved by project completion. Component 1: Capacity development for the operation and management of the Scholarship, Research and Innovation Fund. A consultancy firm, Lions’ Head Global Partners, completed a feasibility study to inform mechanisms for establishment of the RSIF permanent (endowment) fund and proposed innovative fund-raising strategies. To establish a viable fund, the study recommends a minimum of US$8 million should be mobilized for the Permanent Fund before its legal establishment, considering the costs to establish and run the Fund. Contributions to the RSIF general fund have continued to increase, currently US$36.7 million. Selection for additional RSIF African Host Universities is ongoing and will be completed by August 31, 2021. The four additional AHUs to be selected will have PhD programs in ICTs including big data and artificial 9/24/2021 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) intelligence; energy including renewables; climate change; and minerals, mining, and materials engineering. A total of sixteen Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with Internal Partner Institutions (IPIs) to mainly support placement for the scholars’ sandwich program, which is part of the RSIF doctoral training. Component 2: Scholarship and Research Grants for ASET. A total of 185 RSIF scholars (65 females) were selected in Cohorts 1, 2 and 3. This number includes 21 scholars in Cohort 3 who are partially confirmed because of the contribution from Nigeria, which is still being processed. A study on gender interventions under the RSIF was completed. To operationalize some aspects of the strategy, a mentorship program is being developed targeting female scholars, with an aim of achieving 100 percent retention and completion of the doctorate program by female scholars. Six research projects were approved during the first call for research and innovation grants. RSIF scholars are engaged in the six research projects. The second call for the grants was launched in April 2021 and will be concluded by November 2021. icipe was awarded US$4.7 million by the European Union to support additional research and innovation grants under the RSIF project. More details on the above interventions can be found in this link: https://www.rsif-paset.org/ Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Substantial Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial Substantial Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Moderate Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Low Low Low Stakeholders Moderate Low Low Other -- -- -- Overall Substantial Moderate Moderate Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improved institutional capacity for sustainable doctoral training, research and innovation in SSA IN00991986 ►Growth of Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 9,000,000.00 20,000,000.00 36,700,000.00 65,000,000.00 9/24/2021 Page 2 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 The US$36.7 million includes committed Governments' contributions for which disbursements or transfers are being processed. Comments: IN00991989 Growth of Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (General Fund) (Amount(USD), Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 9,000,000.00 20,000,000.00 36,700,000.00 50,000,000.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00991991 Growth of Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Permanent Fund) (Amount(USD), Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00991992 ►Number of PhD scholars that have enrolled in RSIF programs (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 16.00 82.00 185.00 96.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 The total PhD scholars includes 21 scholars from Nigeria in the third cohort, awaiting formal award of their contracts. Comments: The details of the current scholars, including their specific areas of research can be found in this link: https://www.rsif-paset.org/current-students/ IN00991994 Number of PhD scholars that have enrolled in RSIF PhD program (female) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 4.00 30.00 65.00 30.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Improved institutional capacity for quality doctoral training, research and innovation in SSA IN00991987 ►Number of implemented networks between host universities and international partners for PhD training and research collaboration (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Five (5) RSIF networks have been initiated and partnership agreements are not yet concluded. The five Comments: networks are: (i) Artificial Intelligence and Big Data led by the University of Rwanda and the University of 9/24/2021 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Gaston Berger; (ii) Dryland related issues led by Bayero University; (iii) Materials and Mining Science and Technologies (MaST) led by the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology; (iv) Solar Energy network led by the University of Rwanda; and (v) COVID-19 research led by Sokoine University of Agriculture IN00991988 ►Number of students/staff that take cross-cutting courses, entrepreneurship and/or research commercialization courses supported by the project. (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 470.00 470.00 120.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe has continued to develop and deliver short courses to RSIF scholars and AHU tutors. The areas covered include communication of science; research methods, data management and analysis, information literacy and reference management, monitoring and evaluation, safeguards, mental Comments: health for RSIF scholars; nanotechnology and biomaterials for cancer detection and treatment; and innovation and entrepreneurship. IN00991990 ►Number of research papers submitted by staff members or scholars supported by the project for publication to internationally indexed journals (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 17.00 37.00 35.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe is supporting the RSIF scholars and supervisors at AHU to write high quality articles, and is also supporting the AHUs and scholars with linkages to relevant international journals. Comments: IN00991993 Number of research papers submitted by staff members or scholars supported by the project for publication to internationally indexed journals (Female authors or co-authors) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 3.00 8.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Overall Comments PDO Overall, there is significant progress towards reaching the PDO, which remains relevant and achievable. There is a challenge in the implementation progress towards establishment and growth of the regional scholarship and innovation Permanent Fund. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Capacity development for growth and management of a scholarship, research and innovation fund IN00991995 ►Permanent Fund established (Yes/No, Custom) 9/24/2021 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Considering the costs to establish and run the Fund, it is recommended that a hold be placed on the legal establishment of the Permanent Fund until the minimum funds have been raised. According to the feasibility study, a minimum of US$ 8 million should be mobilized for the Permanent Fund before its legal Comments: establishment. The status of resource mobilization to the Permanent Fund will be reviewed after one year (in August 2022) to inform the way forward on two indicators, ‘growth of RSIF Permanent Fund’ and ‘establishment of the permanent fund’. IN00991997 ►PhD scholarship and research grants administration unit established (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe has established the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) with core staff including the RCU Manager; Research and Innovations Grants Manager and Officer; Grants Resource Mobilization Specialist; Doctoral Comments: Scholarship Officer; and Capacity Building Officer. icipe is utilizing existing staff for functions such as procurement, financial management and legal services. IN00991999 ►Number of RSIF host institutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 4.00 11.00 11.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 The third 'Call' for additional four RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs) closed in November 2020. There are delays in completing the selection because of the pandemic. On-site reviews and virtual meetings with the shortlisted AHU's leadership were completed in July2021. The updated timeline for the selection Comments: of the third cohort of AHUs is August 31, 2021. Additional information for the AHUs can be found in this link: https://www.rsif-paset.org/partners/#host- institutions IN00992001 ►Number of partner institutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2.00 13.00 16.00 15.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 A total of 16 MoUs are now signed with international partner institutions (IPIs) to support the sandwich program for the scholars and collaborative research. Comments: Details of the partnerships can be found in this link https://www.rsif-paset.org/partners/#partner- institutions IN00992003 ►Number of RSIF host institutions that start the international accreditation process at the PhD program level or at the institution level (Number, Custom) 9/24/2021 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 6.00 6.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe conducted an assessment of accreditation of the target programs at AHUs and developed an action plan to support the AHUs to initiate and attain the required accreditation. The required support for accreditation is incorporated in the overall capacity building strategy for AHUs. Implementation of the Comments: action plan is ongoing. IN00992004 ►Number of host universities with an online application system in place (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 9.00 9.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 The online links are available for the following nine (9) AHUs: (i) University of Ghana; (ii) Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology; (iii) Kenyatta University; (iv) Bayero University; (v) University of Nairobi; (vi) University of Port Harcourt; (vii) University of Rwanda; (viii) Sokoine University of Comments: Agriculture; and (ix) University of Gaston Berger. University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d`Ivoire) is still establishing the online application portal. IN00992005 ►Number of cross-cutting training courses/workshops for RSIF scholars and researchers (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 12.00 12.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 In total, 12 short courses were developed and are being delivered through a blended mode (face to face and online). The courses, which are available online, are: (1) Introduction to Research Communications; (2) Introduction to Digital Storytelling; (3) Introduction to Research Ethics; (4) Introduction to Information Literacy and Reference Management; (5) Grant Writing; (6) Introduction to Grievance address Comments: mechanisms, Sexual harassment; (7) Strategies for a Successful PhD; (8) Introduction to PhD proposal writing; (9) Introduction to research methods and statistics, data analysis and management; (10) Introduction to communication and social media for RSIF scholars as RSIF Ambassadors; (11) In-depth Information literacy and Reference Management; and (12) Monitoring and Evaluation. IN00992006 ►Number of scientific and technological journals and databases that can be accessed by RSIF scholars and researchers (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 11,250.00 20,000.00 184,000.00 20,000.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Comments: The 11 AHUs signed annual running agreements with the Research4Life (R4L) program that allows them to access ~140,000 resources including peer-reviewed international scientific journals, books and databases provided by leading science publishers. These include around 30,000 journals, books, and reference works that focus on ASET. In addition, the AHUs accessed more than 8,000 articles following 9/24/2021 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) most journals granting access to articles during the COVID-19 pandemic. RSIF is also supporting subscription of over 40,803 e-books and 3,210 journals for the 11 AHUs. The total access through R4L and RSIF supported subscriptions is ~184,000 resources. IN00992007 ►Innovation grants administration unit established (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 A Research and Innovation Grants Officer was recruited in April 2019 and is anchored in icipe’s BioInnovate Africa Program which has established grant and administrative processes for the Comments: implementation of innovation grants. IN00992008 ►Number of firms that co-finance innovation grants (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 2.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Two private companies were co-applicants to the awarded innovation grants to two AHUs, University of Rwanda and University of Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Additional companies are expected to participate in Comments: subsequent 'Calls' for research and innovation grants. IN00992009 ►Number of innovation grants awarded to RSIF host universities (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 8.00 6.00 6.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Six projects for Institutional Innovation Capacity Building Program (ICBP) grants were awarded in the first "Call" for innovation grants in May 2020 to support strengthening of innovation environments at RSIF AHUs. Project Grant Agreements have been signed between icipe and all grant project teams. Implementation of the grant activities is slow because of the pandemic and related restrictions. Comments: A second 'Call' for the innovation grants was launched in April 2021. Grants awards are expected by November 2021. IN00992010 ►Number of innovation grants awarded to faculty of RSIF host institutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 2.00 5.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 9/24/2021 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Two innovation grants (named Cooperability Grants), which required collaboration with private sector, were awarded to faculty at AHUs in May 2020. Additional grants will be awarded during the second 'Call' Comments: for the grants, which was launched in April 2021. Grant awards are expected by November 2021. Scholarships and research grants for ASET IN00991996 ►Number of RSIF scholars who graduate PhD programs (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 82.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Considering the COVID-19 related challenges, graduation of the first cohort of RSIF scholars, which was expected from October 2021 at the earliest, was delayed. Timely completion of the sandwich program, Comments: and finalization of research activities was affected by COVID 19 pandemic. IN00991998 Number of RSIF scholars who graduate PhD programs (female) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 26.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00992000 ►Number of research grants awarded to faculty of RSIF host institutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 6.00 6.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 Six (6) research awards were awarded to faculty of RSIF at AHUs in May 2020. Project Agreements have been signed with all project teams and Year 1 workplan activities have been initiated albeit slowly due to in-country and university COVID 19 restrictions. A second 'Call' for research grants, was launched in Comments: April 2021. Grant award expected by November 2021. IN00992002 ►Number of research grants awarded to RSIF scholars (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 15-Mar-2021 30-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 The call for proposals for the award of research grants to RSIF scholars (junior investigator research award) will be published in 2022 upon the graduation of the first cohort of scholars to meet the eligibility Comments: requirements of the research grant. Overall Comments IR 9/24/2021 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Generally, the intermediate results indicators (IRIs) are on track to being achieved. Remedial actions have been identified for the four lagging IRIs ( establishment of the permanent fund; AHUs that start international accreditation; firms that co-finance innovations grants; and innovation grants awarded to faculty of AHUs). Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P165581 IDA-D3470 Effective USD 15.00 15.00 0.00 7.84 6.99 53% P165581 TF-A8639 Effective USD 3.80 3.80 0.00 1.11 2.69 29% P165581 TF-B1033 Effective USD 5.20 5.20 0.00 0.40 4.80 7.7% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P165581 IDA-D3470 Effective 05-Jul-2018 01-Aug-2018 24-Sep-2018 30-Jun-2024 30-Jun-2024 P165581 TF-A8639 Effective 25-Oct-2018 27-Oct-2018 27-Oct-2018 30-Jun-2024 30-Jun-2024 P165581 TF-B1033 Effective 27-Aug-2019 22-Sep-2019 22-Sep-2019 30-Jun-2024 30-Jun-2024 Cumulative Disbursements 9/24/2021 Page 9 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) PBC Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % PBC ID PBC Type Description Coc PBC Amount Status Coc for PBC Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 9/24/2021 Page 10 of 10