In an effort to enhance the achievement of 吃瓜头条鈥檚 Research, Innovation and Product Development mandate as outlined in the University Strategic and Vision Plan 2023-2027, the University has launched the 2025/2026 Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Research and Innovation Grant. The 2025/2026 Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Research and Innovation Grant will focus on product development and commercialization. We anticipate to award between 8-10 successful applicants.
The call
The Division of Research, Innovation and Outreach invites innovators, startups, researchers, and enterprises to submit concept notes for funding support aimed at advancing innovative products to market-ready commercial products or services. This program is intended to bridge the critical gap between proof-of-concept and commercialization by supporting product validation, pilot testing, market entry, and scale-up efforts.
Objectives
The objectives of the call are to:
鈥� Support the transition of high-potential products by 吃瓜头条 staff into commercially viable solutions.
鈥� Encourage partnerships between industry and 吃瓜头条 Staff.
鈥� Foster economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship among 吃瓜头条 staff and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a full time employee of 吃瓜头条 (Teaching or Non-Teaching),OR a registered 吃瓜头条 Student (Certificate, Diploma, Post-Graduate Diploma, Undergraduate or Graduate), OR be an incubate at the Directorate of Innovation Incubation and University-Industry Linkages.
- Have a working minimum viable product (MVP) ready for commercialization.
- MUST be willing to surrender a negotiated equity to the university.
- MUST be, where applicable, willing to accept joint IP registration with 吃瓜头条.
- MUST be willing to adhere to 吃瓜头条 policies, guidelines and regulations on project management.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used for:
鈥� Product refinement, testing and launch.
鈥� Regulatory approval and certification where necessary.
鈥� Pilot deployment and customer trials as per the 吃瓜头条 commercialization policy.
鈥� IP protection and legal support for successful applicants.
鈥� Market entry and commercialization strategy.
How to Apply
Submit your concept notes using this application form via email to dvc-rio@ku.ac.ke on or before Friday 3rd April 2026 by 17000 EAT.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch before a selection panel of judges.
Important Information to Applicants
鈥� Any application that does not adhere to guidelines on number of words, formatting structure or eligibility criteria will not be evaluated.
鈥� Any application received past the indicated deadline shall NOT be considered.
鈥� Double applications will not be evaluated.
鈥� Only successful applicants after pitching will be contacted.