Introduction

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a pan-African, non-profit, and public charity organisation that supports, strengthens, and promotes science and innovation in Africa. The SFA Foundation is committed to improving African people's quality of life and promoting research uptake in communities, industry, and the public sector. We serve the African research ecosystem by designing, funding, and managing programmes that support excellent science and innovation; and that build and reinforce environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and produce quality research that impacts development.

Background

The Research Management Capacity Strengthening (REMACS) Programme, implemented by the SFA Foundation, is designed to address critical gaps within the African research ecosystem and to cultivate a vibrant research culture and strong leadership across research institutions. The Programme aims to build the expertise required to establish and sustain robust research enterprises, strengthen institutional systems, and enhance the overall performance of research environments across the continent. REMACS focuses on overcoming systemic challenges that hinder the development of effective and sustainable research management systems. Its interventions are organized around three core pillars:

1. Institutional Development – Strengthening institutional systems, standards, governance frameworks, research impact mechanisms, and long-term sustainability.
2. Professional Development – Building the capacity of research managers through structured career pathways, training, mentorship, recognition programmes, and knowledge management platforms toward a professionalised research management ecosystem.
3. Enabling Environment – Supporting national research systems by engaging regulatory agencies, government departments, National Councils for Science and Technology, Science Granting Councils, and higher education networks to create a supportive ecosystem for research and innovation.

As part of its mandate, the REMACS Programme is responsible for leading the uptake, implementation, and institutionalisation of the Good Research Management Practice Standard across Africa and globally. This ensures that research organisations have the tools, competencies, and enabling environment required to meet international standards of research governance and excellence.

Introduction to the Good Research Management Practice (GRMP) Standard-ARS 1054:2025.

The GRMP Standard was developed through a collaborative effort between the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and the SFA Foundation under the REMACS Programme.

The standard was finalised, published, and officially launched on 16 October 2025, marking a significant milestone in strengthening research governance across the continent. A free-access version of the standard is available at: https://www.arso-oran.org/free-access-standards/.

The GRMP Standard is the first international standard for research management, positioning Africa as a global leader in defining excellence in research governance, integrity, and operational effectiveness. It provides a structured framework that enables research-performing organisations to implement robust systems, strengthen accountability, and enhance research quality and impact.

To facilitate widespread uptake and effective implementation of the standard, the SFA Foundation is leading the development of several supporting tools and instruments, including, a Certification Scheme. This is a comprehensive framework for auditing and certifying institutions that demonstrate compliance with the GRMP Standard and successfully integrate it into their research operations.

Further information on the GRMP Standard is available at: https://scienceforafrica.foundation/media-center/africa-launches-worlds-first-good-research-management-practice-standard

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Objectives of the Assignment

We are seeking consultancy services from a competent firm to deliver two assignments with distinct objectives as follows:

1. Assignment #1: Development of GRMP Certification Scheme: To design and validate a scalable, internationally credible GRMP Certification Scheme that ensures consistent, impartial, and risk-based certification of organisations’ compliance with the GRMP Standard, supported by robust governance arrangements, accredited certification bodies, and alignment with ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO 19011.
2. Assignment #2: Development of GRMP Training Scheme: To design and validate a scalable, internationally aligned GRMP Training Scheme that builds professional and common understanding of GRMP requirements through structured learning pathways, accredited training providers and GRMP experts, and quality-assured assessment and accreditation systems aligned with ISO 29993, ISO/IEC 17024, and ISO 10015.

Scope of Work

Assignment #1

• Develop the Certification Scheme document
• Establish robust governance frameworks for the Certification Scheme 
• Develop criteria for selection and recognition of competent Certification Bodies 
• Develop a Certification Bodies Licence Agreement 
• Produce high-quality promotional and communication materials 
• Develop a Weighting Framework 

Assignment #2

• Develop the Training Scheme document
• Develop a detailed governance framework 
• Develop criteria for licensing and approval of training service providers
•  Develop guidance document 
• Develop a certificates' framework 
• Establish an accreditation framework 
• Develop the systems and processes for the global public register 
• Develop mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and learning 

Further details on the scope of work are provided in the RFP Clarifications and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) attached to this RFP.

Deliverables

1. Inception reports 
2. Final Certification Scheme Documents
   • Scheme Governance Framework
   • Certification Bodies Selection and Recognition Criterion
   • Licence Agreement for certification bodies
   • Weighting Framework / Matrix
3. Final Training Scheme Documents 
   • Scheme Governance Framework
   •  Licensing and Approval Framework for service providers
   • Course Certifications and Guidance Framework
   • Expert Accreditation Framework
4.  Promotion and communication materials (two sets)
5. Two validation workshops 

Note: All materials MUST be delivered in high-quality editable formats.

Further details on the deliverables are provided in the RFP Clarifications and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) attached to this RFP.

Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy assignment is expected to be completed over a period of 9 months. Key milestones and deliverable due date will be agreed upon during the inception phase.

Instructions on the Proposal Submission Process

1. Proposal to be sent by email to [email protected] on or before 9 February 2026 at 5.00 pm (EAT)
2. Protect your proposal with a password and share the password on 10 February 2026 by 8.00 am (EAT)
3. The proposal to be marked as follows on the subject line:

RFP-002-2026 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING SCHEMES FOR THE GOOD RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (GRMP) STANDARD-ARS 1054:2025

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RFP Clarifications and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This Addendum forms an integral part of the Request for Proposals and shall be read in

conjunction with the RFP.

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