The SITE programme:

• Provides funding and support to individual innovators and teams. This includes grants, mentorship, and access to resources and networks.
• Builds and strengthens the science innovation ecosystem in Africa by working with governments, universities, businesses, and other stakeholders to create a more supportive environment for innovation.
• Promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa by raising awareness and inspire the next generation of innovators.

SITE works with a variety of stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs, universities, research institutions, and industry partners, to develop and implement these innovations.

The SITE pipeline:

The SITE pipeline is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the African innovation ecosystem.
To build an effective innovation pipeline, SITE is focused on providing:

• Discovery/Early research (1-3): This pathway would support basic research and the development of new scientific knowledge. This could include funding for proof-of concept grants, fellowships, and research projects.
• Translation-to-scale (TTS) (4-6): This pathway would support the translation of scientific discoveries into new technologies and products. This could include funding for proof-of-concept studies, prototyping, and early-stage clinical trials.
• Scaling (7-9) Entails commissioning and operationalization of innovations. Grant support towards translation and scaling of promising innovations, either emerging from existing portfolios or from new Phase I grants.
• Ecosystem partner connections: This pathway would support the development of new businesses and ventures based on new technologies and products. Valuable connections with industry, angel investors, other researchers/ innovators, venture capitalists and business development and other technical experts will yield funding, business development support, and mentorship.

---

Theory of change:

The SITE initiative theory of change encompasses four strategic pillars:

• Strategic Initiative #1Three tier model for translational sciences Attract and capacity build innovative science minds in priority areas that will generate solutions for Africa’s health and developmental challenges
• Strategic Initiative #2Think tank activitiesContinuously refine the SFA Foundation scientific agenda and undertake public and policy leadership and engagement for stakeholders buy-in
• Strategic Initiative #3SustainabilityImplement a sustainable and long-term funding strategy for innovative research ideas capable of local and global impact
• Strategic Initiative #4Optimised synergies and supportConsolidate science innovation ecosystem gains within the continent through several investments under the Science Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship programme