Driving Growth. Fueling Innovation. Advancing Purpose.
About the Directorate
Established in February 2025, the Directorate of Research, Grants, and Resource Mobilization serves as a strategic engine powering the mission, growth, and development of Africa Renewal University.
Operating under the supervision of the Vice Chancellor and aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan (approved in 2024), this office works at the intersection of research leadership, grant acquisition, and sustainable resource mobilization.
Our goal is not only to ensure the financial health of AfRU—but to anchor that growth in mission-aligned, purpose-driven initiatives that transform both our campus and the communities we serve.
Our Mandate
The Directorate is responsible for:
- Developing and executing research, grant, and fundraising strategies that drive university growth
- Mobilizing financial and non-financial resources in line with AfRU’s strategic objectives
- Coordinating and enhancing the quality of institutional research
- Supporting the formulation of innovative, fundable grant proposals
- Building systems and partnerships that secure AfRU’s future and expand its reach
Target: Grow the student body from 600 (2025) to 3,900 by 2029 through strategic development.
Strategic Focus Areas
1. Grant Management & Proposal Development
We seek, manage, and steward grant funding to support research, infrastructure, innovation, and community engagement projects.
2. Resource Mobilization
Through local and global partnerships, donor relations, and institutional campaigns, we pursue sustainable resource mobilization strategies to support AfRU’s expansion and operational excellence.
3. Action Research
We support applied research efforts—particularly in critical areas such as health, education, technology, and leadership—that generate real-world solutions and policy insights
4. Institutional Strategy & Policy Development
We are leading the development of:
- A comprehensive Research Policy
- A University-wide Resource Mobilization Policy and Guidelines
- A renewed Research & Innovation Strategic Plan
- A university-wide Fundraising Strategy
Our Alignment with the Strategic Plan
All efforts of the Directorate are guided by the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, with a specific focus on:
- Enhancing the financial resilience of the institution
- Ensuring growth through quality research and academic programs
- Strengthening institutional capacity to meet the rising demand for Christian higher education
- Operationalizing a development roadmap that reflects AfRU’s unique identity and vision for the region
Partnerships & Collaboration
The Directorate works across faculties, schools, and external partners to:
- Identify funding opportunities
- Develop joint proposals
- Manage donor relationships
- Ensure compliance with grant regulations
- Build strategic networks for knowledge exchange and institutional advancement
Work in Progress
We are currently working on
- Finalizing a university-wide Fundraising Strategy
- Reviewing and modifying the current Research Agenda
- Drafting new Research & Innovation Strategic Plans
- Developing policies that guide both institutional research and external resource mobilization
We are laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable Africa Renewal University—one that continues to grow in size, in quality, and in impact.
