The National Research Fund (NRF) has attained the Platinum Tier Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Certification, the highest level of international recognition for excellence in research grant management. The achievement affirms NRF’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of research funding.

The certification follows a rigorous assessment process undertaken throughout 2025, during which NRF completed a comprehensive pre-certification assessment and an independent audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a licensed GFGP certification body for Africa. The assessment evaluated the Fund’s governance, financial management, procurement systems, human resource management, internal controls, and grant administration against internationally recognized standards. Organizations seeking Platinum certification must demonstrate compliance across the most comprehensive requirements of the GFGP Standard, including more than 300 assessment criteria covering governance, financial controls, procurement, and human resource management.

The GFGP Standard, developed by the Global Grant Community under the stewardship of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), is the world’s first international standard dedicated to financial grant management. It is designed to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance financial accountability, and increase confidence among research funders by ensuring grant-making organizations operate with the highest standards of integrity and governance.

The Platinum certification certificate was officially presented to NRF by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in the presence of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak.

Speaking after receiving the certification, NRF Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dickson Andala described the recognition as a significant milestone for the institution.

“This is a great achievement for NRF and will go a long way in strengthening governance in our research grant management. Achieving the highest level of GFGP certification demonstrates our readiness to manage research funding in line with global best practices while advancing our strategic vision of strengthening Kenya’s research and innovation ecosystem.”

The certification positions NRF among leading institutions that have demonstrated world-class grant management systems, enhancing its credibility with development partners, research institutions, and international funding agencies. It also reinforces NRF’s capacity to mobilize and manage competitive research funding that addresses Kenya’s national development priorities.

As NRF continues implementing its strategic agenda, the Platinum GFGP Certification marks another important step in building a trusted, transparent, and globally competitive research funding institution that supports excellence in science, technology, and innovation.