Global Science: Capitalizing on Opportunities for Africa Anne C Petersen, PhD U 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 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 Director Subra Suresh said recently “Good science anywhere is good for science everywhere.” NSF now has a global research agenda NSF now has a global research agenda NSF just hosted the first meeting of the Global Research Council – a summit on merit review NSF just hosted the first meeting of the Global Research Council – a summit on merit review

Opportunities for African STEM Increased Economic Activity

Other STEM Opportunities African Govt/Academy/Academe African Govt/Academy/Academe African Union commitment to S&TAfrican Union commitment to S&T AAS, ASADI, national academy changesAAS, ASADI, national academy changes University efforts – PAU, other changeUniversity efforts – PAU, other change African diaspora African diaspora Some diaspora scientists returningSome diaspora scientists returning Those remaining away want to partnerThose remaining away want to partner Need continued focus: benefit AfricaNeed continued focus: benefit Africa Funding Funding Increased R&D efforts within AfricaIncreased R&D efforts within Africa Increased external funds to AfricaIncreased external funds to Africa Need increased investmentsNeed increased investments

ASADI

Yes Challenges Exist Major: Weaknesses in many African universities Major: Weaknesses in many African universities Too many universities for resourcesToo many universities for resources Insufficient research infrastructureInsufficient research infrastructure Too few PhD facultyToo few PhD faculty Women especially underrepresented – need all available talent Women especially underrepresented – need all available talent Minor: Minor: Research funding still scarceResearch funding still scarce Unstable politics in some countriesUnstable politics in some countries Global recession still affecting Europe and US (with effects on external funding)Global recession still affecting Europe and US (with effects on external funding)

Global R&D Spending Current Resources

Effective Approaches Most important: National goals with investment in R&D Most important: National goals with investment in R&D Example: China, Singapore, South Africa (Mbeki)Example: China, Singapore, South Africa (Mbeki) Close second: Bottom up commitments to build capacity Close second: Bottom up commitments to build capacity Example: Maori (NZ) 500 PhD ProjectExample: Maori (NZ) 500 PhD Project More research collaborations More research collaborations Example: Africa Array - Council for Geoscience, Wits U, Penn StateExample: Africa Array - Council for Geoscience, Wits U, Penn State More partnerships among institutions for education and research More partnerships among institutions for education and research Example: U Michigan UMAPS Program and this conference seriesExample: U Michigan UMAPS Program and this conference series

Additional Approaches Partnerships with Industry Partnerships with Industry Many willing to fund R&D in UniversitiesMany willing to fund R&D in Universities Systemic issue: faculty salaries high enoughSystemic issue: faculty salaries high enough Research Parks Research Parks Highly successful in many countriesHighly successful in many countries Must have upfront funding for Park and start up funding for emerging science companiesMust have upfront funding for Park and start up funding for emerging science companies Online Resources Online Resources Online data bases (eg Google, Minority World Universities)Online data bases (eg Google, Minority World Universities) Online capacity building (eg e-learning)Online capacity building (eg e-learning)

Resources to Accomplish Goals Usually only consider money Usually only consider money People: greatest resource for programs People: greatest resource for programs Human spirit - more powerful than anything else as long as we don’t impede or destroy it. Human spirit - more powerful than anything else as long as we don’t impede or destroy it. But will discuss funding opportunities But will discuss funding opportunities

Sustainability of Efforts Goal is sustainable efforts. Goal is sustainable efforts. Sustainability requires enduring, effective partnerships. Sustainability requires enduring, effective partnerships. Good partnerships require: Good partnerships require: mutual interestmutual interest mutual benefitmutual benefit mutual respectmutual respect mutual responsibilitymutual responsibility

Possible Sources of Funds Government (own country, others) Government (own country, others) Corporate (not to be underestimated) Corporate (not to be underestimated) Private philanthropy Private philanthropy FoundationsFoundations IndividualsIndividuals Other (eg, member fees, activity fees, fee for service/contracts, endowment) 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 : Information and resources on international grantmaking. The Foundation Center: The 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: A North America source of web based foundation funding information for non-profits. European Foundations European Foundation Centre: Funder and information source.

Summary Time of opportunity for African R&D Time of opportunity for African R&D Challenges remain but can be addressed Challenges remain but can be addressed Are existing approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness Are existing approaches that have demonstrated effectiveness Use diverse approaches for funding Use diverse approaches for funding Most important is to plan strategically for best outcomes Most important is to plan strategically for best outcomes

Thanks !