Empowering Academic Excellence: The 2024 Grooming Centre Research Grants for Varsity Students
In a significant move to bolster education and combat poverty in Nigeria, Grooming Centre Nigeria, a renowned microfinance institution, has announced the commencement of its annual university research grant scheme. This initiative, aimed at both public and private-owned tertiary institution students nationwide, underscores the institution’s dedication to advancing rigorous educational pursuits and poverty alleviation efforts across the country.
Since its inception in 2019 as a corporate social responsibility endeavor focusing on education, the scheme has seen a remarkable increase in the number of beneficiaries. From starting with just 25 beneficiaries, it has grown substantially, benefitting a total of 393 students across the HND, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels over five years. This progression highlights Grooming Centre’s unwavering commitment to nurturing academic research and development.
During a recent news conference held in Lagos, Mr. Egulefu Chikezie, the Head of Project at Grooming Centre Nigeria, unveiled the details for the application submission for this year’s edition of the grants. He emphasized that the annual non-refundable grant is designed to foster and enhance evidence-based research and knowledge among tertiary school students in crucial economic fields. These include social enterprise, microfinance, inclusive finance, rural development, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on initiatives aimed at elevating individuals out of poverty.
The call for research proposals urges applicants to tailor their studies to the Nigerian context, ensuring practical innovation and promotion within the key areas of interest stated by the Centre. Chikezie also highlighted another facet of the Centre’s scholarship efforts, the “Lady Kate Scholarship Scheme,” which has awarded scholarships to approximately 3,000 senior secondary school students, showcasing the institution’s broad scope of support towards educational development in Nigeria.
Looking ahead to the 2024 grants, the Centre anticipates awarding 150 talented students (100 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates) who present compelling research proposals. Eligibility criteria mandate that applicants must be current students at NUC/NBTE-approved Nigerian universities or polytechnics and garner a written endorsement from their project supervisors. Proposals are required to span eight to 25 pages, covering an introduction, literature review, research methodology, and include the candidate’s personal profile, demonstrating originality and comprehensive data inclusion.
Mr. Alex Ajibo, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the scheme, insists on the importance of originality and the integration of substantial data in the research, pointing towards the program’s objective to genuinely contribute to academic knowledge and societal advancement. The window for proposal submission is until September 20, offering students ample time to ideate and articulate their research initiatives.
In her official declaration of the edition’s commencement, Ms. Ler Jonathan-Khaver, a member of the Grooming Centre’s Governing Council, expressed enthusiasm for the positive impact this grant is expected to make on the beneficiaries and, by extension, on Nigerian society. She encouraged aspiring applicants to seize this unparalleled opportunity to enhance their academic endeavors and contribute to meaningful economic research.
The Grooming Centre Research Grants represent a golden opportunity for Nigerian varsity students to explore, innovate, and contribute to pressing societal issues through academic research. As the application portal opens, this initiative stands as a testament to the significant strides being made in the journey towards educational development and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.
