Research & knowledge
Connect scholars around development questions and help credible evidence reach the people who can use it.
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Global Research, Advisory and Innovation Network
From scholarship
From scholarship
to enterprise.
Connecting African scholars and researchers with the partners and pathways to turn knowledge into practical solutions.
Discover GRAIN03Connected pathways
Research · Advisory · Innovation
Research ✦ Advisory ✦ InnovationStart a conversation
Advisory & projects
Bring research into feasibility, strategy and project preparation for institutions and partners.
Explore the approachInnovation & enterprise
Build the skills and connections that can help promising ideas become practical ventures.
Explore the approachKnowledge in actionWhy GRAIN
A network built around useful knowledge.
Africa's scholars produce ideas with the potential to improve lives and strengthen institutions. GRAIN is being developed to help those ideas travel further — from research questions to evidence, and from evidence to projects that can be tested and grown.
- Research informed by Africa's development priorities.
- Collaboration across scholarship, public institutions and industry.
- A pathway from knowledge to practical application.
A continent built by its own scholars.
GRAIN vision · 2026–2027 strategic direction
Our model
Connect. Develop. Apply.
01 / CONNECT
Bring knowledge together
Build relationships between African scholars, universities, industry and institutions across regions.
02 / DEVELOP
Strengthen ideas
Shape research and concepts through mentoring, evidence and practical project thinking.
03 / APPLY
Move toward impact
Connect strong ideas with the partners and pathways needed for decisions, projects and enterprise.
In the community
Events & conversations
Past event · August 2026
Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Startup Success Summit
The summit in Herne, Germany brought together conversations on ideas, enterprise and impact. Its programme listed GRAIN among the sponsors.
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What we're thinking about
Strategic direction
From scholarship to enterprise: GRAIN's direction
The network's strategic direction links research excellence with advisory work and pathways for innovation.
Read the story
Event note
GRAIN on the 2026 summit programme
The event poster listed GRAIN as a sponsor and its coordinator among speakers at the Herne gathering.
Explore eventGRAIN FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GRAIN?
GRAIN stands for the Global Research, Advisory and Innovation Network. It is being developed to connect African scholars and researchers with partners working on the continent’s development challenges.
What is GRAIN’s primary objective?
GRAIN aims to turn research into useful evidence, practical advice, viable projects and enterprises. It seeks to help scholars apply their work to real challenges.
What is GRAIN’s vision?
A continent built by its own scholars.
What services will GRAIN provide?
GRAIN’s planned work covers research and knowledge sharing, advisory and project development, and innovation and enterprise support. This includes connecting researchers, applying evidence to decisions, and helping promising ideas develop into projects and ventures.
Connect with GRAIN
Have an idea worth exploring?
Start a conversation about research, project development or innovation.