Round 2 process

For the West Africa round, although 87 proposals were submitted, very few of these met the criteria or demonstrated potential for achieving sustainable impact. Many were proposals for more research rather than putting existing research into use; others lacked private sector partners or any viable plan for sustainability after RIU funding ended; many were for conventional donor-funded projects rather than for sustainable models to put research into use. As a result 82 proposals were rejected, and five considered further.

Of these five, it was eventually decided that for three of them there were major flaws or gaps in the concept notes: these three proposals were therefore also rejected but detailed feedback was provided and suggestions made for taking the proposals forward through other initiatives. For the remaining two proposals, RIU decided to invite the teams behind the proposals to develop business plans. To facilitate this process, RIU provided detailed feedback and highlighted areas of concern that required further attention.

With just two shortlisted Best Bets from the West Africa round, the process to be used will be modified from that used in Nairobi. RIU is keen to see whether a 'virtual' rather than a 'real' Best Bets process can achieve the same or similar results.

Eventually one proposal was funded:

• Registration and distribution of biological agents in Ghana

Summary of the West Africa process

• as for the East African call, adverts were placed in selected newspapers in the region and also on the RIU website. In addition a feature about the Best Bets was also produced and broadcast on various radio station in the region
• again, as for the East Africa call, the 85 proposals received by the deadline were screened in a process in which RIU was assisted by the London-based Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA) - an economic and financial policy advisory business. This process eventually resulted in a shortlist of two proposals
• the two shortlisted proposals were provided with detailed feedback highlighting areas requiring particular attention and were invited to develop business plans. To facilitate this, a format for the business plan and guidance was provided as well as a grant for $2,500. The deadline for submission of completed business plans is 9 April 2010
• the 83 unsuccessful proposals were also provided with feedback
• in April an independent, expert panel, reviewed the plans
• one application was accepted as an RIU Best Bet - the registration and distribution of biological agents in Ghana and subject to due diligence will be funded

An important task for RIU is to consider why the West Africa round produced fewer high-potential Best Bets than the East, Central and Southern Africa round. Lesson derived from the first two rounds of Best Bets will be used to inform similar initiatives in the future.