Researchers have been reminded that persistence, mentorship, collaboration and pro-activeness are keys to sourcing and winning grants for research project(s).

The reminder was given today (Tuesday, 8th October, 2024) at a program facilitated by the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), National Centre For Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) Branch, Ilorin.

The Guest Speaker and Executive Director, Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Prof. Lateef OLADIMEJI, ably represented by Assistant Director (Research), NSPRI- Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Otitodun, harped on the secrets and global best approaches to access grants from governmental, non-governmental, corporate bodies, and/ international donor agencies for research project(s).

“Grant sourcing requires, transparency, dedication, and you put in all your best in it, as i said earlier and I’m still saying again, you can get it but you just need to give attention to details. Do what the funding body requires of you, look for funding bodies interested in what you do then put in your application with mentorship, research team of same mind and trust in God” said the Guest Lecturer

According to the Chairman ASURI, NCAM Branch Ilorin, Comrade Opadotun Opeyemi, said the program was designed to make Union members think on other sure ways to secure funds outside government for research work, assuring to set up teams to implement lessons learnt from the program.

“Now funding my research, I don’t need to rely on government funds as a government worker, I can as well go out there, get a good research team, and the research will be funded.

After this programme we break our team of researchers into interest groups. we Identify areas of food security and start sourcing for funds” Comr. Opadotun added.

Amongst others present at the event is the Executive Director, NCAM, Engr. (Dr) A.R Kamal, who was represented by the Director, General Services, NCAM, Dr. Mrs. Oluwakemi Oyeniyi, in reaction, appreciated the organisers and resource fellow, adding that “it’s a timely event”; some past and present excos, and members of ASURI,   and agricultural researchers.