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: 7 | ARCHIVED on 05-Apr-2021 | ISR45970 | 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: 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 $9.00 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions This is an interim ISR. An in-depth review of the project will be conducted during the Mid-Term Review (MTR) planned for April 19 to 23, 2021. A full ISR will be prepared before May 31, 2021. Component 1: Capacity development for the operation and management of the Scholarship, Research and Innovation Fund. A consultancy firm, Lions’ Head Global Partners, completed the final draft of a feasibility study to inform establishment of the proposed RSIF permanent (endowment) fund. The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) Governance structures will discuss the final study and guide the next steps. Regarding Government's contributions, these have increased to US$ 20 million. The project was awarded a Euro 4.2 million grant by the European Union to support the project's research and innovation windows. A third ‘call’ for RSIF' African Host Universities (AHUs) was launched in October 2020 with an aim to expand sufficient places for climate change, energy including renewables, food security and agribusiness , ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence for the rapidly expanding numbers of RSIF PhD scholars. The selection process is expected to be completed by March 30, 2021. Eight projects were awarded from the first ‘call’ of innovation 4/5/2021 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) grants for implementation of six projects for Institutional Innovation Capacity Building Program Grants ( ICBP), and two projects for the Cooperability Grants (CGs). Component 2: Scholarship and Research Grants for ASET. Overall, the fifteen scholars from the first cohort are performing well (academically) and have remained motivated despite the COVID-19 challenges. The first cohort of the doctorate RSIF scholars are expected to complete their studies by February 2022. The second cohort of sixty seven (67) scholars are also progressing well despite the COVID-19 related challenges. Selection of the third cohort of RSIF Scholars is progressing, although substantially delayed due to remote working arrangements with the concerned applicants, the AHUs and the independent review panels. A total of 2,202 applications were received (378 female, and 857 faculty) representing forty (40) African countries. The project expects to select about 116 candidates by April 30, 2021. The number of scholars selected is based on the contributions by Countries. The new scholars will be joining the program from August 2021. Under this component, six (6) research projects were approved for the RSIF research grants during the first call for research and innovation grants. A second call of the research and innovation grants will be launched by April 30, 2021. 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 Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Substantial 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 IN00969734 ►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 20,000,000.00 65,000,000.00 4/5/2021 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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 The US$20 million Government's contributions for which disbursements or transfers are being processed. icipe and the consultancy firm, Lion's Head Global Partners, have prepared the feasibility study for the establishment of the RSIF Permanent Fund, which has been completed and submitted to the PASET Comments: Governance structures for guidance on the next steps. Once the study is approved, a fund manager will be recruited to initiate operationalization of the permanent or endowment fund. IN00969737 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 20,000,000.00 50,000,000.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00969739 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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00969740 ►Number of PhD scholars that have enrolled in RSIF programs (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 16.00 82.00 82.00 96.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Selection of the third cohort of 116 scholars is ongoing, and will be completed by April 2021. The details of the current scholars, including their specific areas of research can be found in this Comments: link: https://www.rsif-paset.org/current-students/ IN00969742 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 30.00 30.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Improved institutional capacity for quality doctoral training, research and innovation in SSA IN00969735 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 4/5/2021 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Five (5) RSIF networks have been initiated and partnership agreements are being concluded. This indicator will be updated in next ISR, when the agreements are concluded and the networks are established. The five networks are: (i) Artificial Intelligence and Big Data led by the University of Rwanda and the University of Gaston Berger; (ii) Dryland related issues led by Bayero University; (iii) Materials Comments: 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 IN00969736 ►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 0.00 264.00 470.00 120.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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, Comments: mental health for RSIF scholars; nanotechnology and biomaterials for cancer detection and treatment; and innovation and entrepreneurship. IN00969738 ►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 17.00 35.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe is supporting the RSIF scholars and supervisors at AHU to write high quality articles, and is also Comments: supporting the AHUs and scholars with linkages to relevant international journals. IN00969741 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 3.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Overall Comments PDO Generally, implementation of the PDO indicators is on track, expect for the resource mobilization to the permanent fund. A fund manager will be recruited to oversee this task. Selection of additional scholars is on track , and agreements for new networks are expected to be signed in the cause of this FY. The COVID 19 related challenges led to some initial delays in selection of the third cohort of scholars, and finalization of agreement for the target networks. The relevant implementation is progressing relatively well through virtual engagements with the concerned institutions and panels. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components 4/5/2021 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Capacity development for growth and management of a scholarship, research and innovation fund IN00969743 ►Permanent Fund established (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 icipe and the consultancy firm, Lion's Head Global Partners, have prepared the feasibility study for the establishment of the RSIF Permanent Fund, which has been completed and submitted to the PASET Comments: Governance structures for guidance on the next steps. Once the study is approved, a fund manager will be recruited to initiate operationalization of the permanent or endowment fund. IN00969745 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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. IN00969747 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 The third 'Call' for additional four RSIF African Host Universities (AHUs) closed in November 2020. A total of 25 eligible applications were received. Selection of the additional AHUs is expected to be completed by April 31, 2021. Comments: Additional information for the AHUs can be found in this link: https://www.rsif-paset.org/partners/#host- institutions IN00969749 ►Number of partner institutions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2.00 13.00 13.00 15.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 A total of 13 MoUs are now signed with international partner institutions (IPIs) to support the sandwich program for the scholars and collaborative research. Comments: The RSIF IPIs are Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Institute of Green Bio Science and 4/5/2021 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Technology - Seoul National University (GBST-SNU), Korea, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, Virginia Tech CALS, USA, University of Greenwich, Natural Resources Institute, UK, ILRI, Kenya; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, Global R&DB Center (GRC), Seoul National University (SNU -GRC), Korea, University of Ghent, Belgium and IMT Mines Albi, France. Details of the partnerships can be found in this link https://www.rsif-paset.org/partners/#partner- institutions IN00969751 ►Number of RSIF host institutions that start the international accreditation process at the PhD program level or at the institution level (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 6.00 6.00 10.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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 action plan is ongoing. Six of the AHU obtained international accreditation through support under the ACE regional project: Comments: (1) African University of Science and Technology completed the process by HCERES, (2) University of Ghana started the process with AQAS, Germany, (3) University of Port Harcourt initiated the process with HCERES, (4) University of Rwanda initiated the process with ZEvA, (5) Bayero University initiated the process with HCERES, (6) University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny completed the process with HCERES IN00969752 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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 Agriculture; and (ix) University of Gaston Berger. Comments: University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d`Ivoire) has still establishing the online application portal. IN00969753 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Comments: In total, 12 short courses were developed and are being delivered through a blended mode (face to face and online). The course, 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 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) 4/5/2021 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) 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. IN00969754 ►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 20,000.00 20,000.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 The 11 AHUs signed annual agreements with the Research4Life (R4L) program that allows them to access about 85,000 resources (peer-reviewed international scientific journals, books and databases) provided by leading science publishers. These include 12,000 journals that focus on ASET. In addition, Comments: the AHUs have access to more than 8,000 articles following most journals granting free access to articles during the COVID-19 pandemic. IN00969755 ►Innovation grants administration unit established (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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. IN00969756 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-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 'Call' for research and innovation grants. IN00969757 ►Number of innovation grants awarded to RSIF host universities (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 8.00 8.00 6.00 Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Eight projects were awarded from the first ‘call’ of innovation grants (six projects for institutional innovation capacity building program grants-ICBP and two projects for the cooperability grants-CGs). A second 'Call' for the innovation grants, which will be launched by April 30, 2021. Comments: ICBP: Grants to support strengthening of innovation environments at RSIF AHUs. CGs: Grants to support strengthening of public- private partnerships that promote commercialization of research at AHUs. 4/5/2021 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) IN00969758 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Two innovation grants, which required collaboration with private sector, were awarded to faculty at AHUs. Additional grants will be awarded during the second 'Call' for the grants, which will be launched by April Comments: 30, 2021. Scholarships and research grants for ASET IN00969744 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Considering the COVID 19 related challenges , graduation of the first cohort of RSIF scholars was expected from October 2021. Timely completion of the sandwich program, and finalization of research Comments: activities was affected by COVID 19 pandemic. IN00969746 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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 IN00969748 ►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 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 Six (6) research awards were awarded to faculty of RSIF at AHUs. A second 'Call' for research grants, which will be launched by April 30, 2021. Comments: IN00969750 ►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 4/5/2021 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (P165581) Date 30-Apr-2018 16-Oct-2020 15-Mar-2021 30-Jun-2024 The call for proposals for the award of research grants to RSIF scholars (junior investigator research Comments: award) will be published after October 2021-upon the graduation of the first cohort of scholars. Overall Comments IR Overall, implementation progress towards achievement of the intermediate results indicators (IRIs) is satisfactory. There were delays at the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. However, icipe has adjusted accordingly by leveraging relevant online platforms and project implementation momentum has picked up again. Most of the processes required for achievement of some of the IRIs such as selection of AHUs and IPIs has shifted online. Training of the RSIF scholars in the short courses is also being undertaken on line. 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 5.11 9.64 35% P165581 TF-A8639 Effective USD 3.80 3.80 0.00 0.97 2.83 26% P165581 TF-B1033 Effective USD 5.20 5.20 0.00 0.20 5.00 3.8% 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 4/5/2021 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. 4/5/2021 Page 10 of 10