Setting research priorities across science, technology, and health sectors: the Tanzania experience

Sylvia De Haan,Rose Kingamkono,Bruno Kubata,Harun Makandi,Flora Tibazarwa,Hassan Mshinda,Neema Tindamanyire,Gabriela Montorzi

doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0002-2

Abstract

BackgroundIdentifying research priorities is key to innovation and economic growth, since it informs decision makers on effectively targeting issues that have the greatest potential public benefit. As such, the process of setting research priorities is of pivotal importance for favouring the science, technology, and innovation (STI)-driven development of low- and middle-income countries.MethodsWe report herein on a major cross-sectoral nationwide research priority setting effort recently carried out in Tanzania by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in partnership with the Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) and the NEPAD Agency. The first of its type in the country, the process brought together stakeholders from 42 sub-sectors in science, technology, and health. The cross-sectoral research priority setting process consisted of a ‘training-of-trainers’ workshop, a demonstration workshop, and seven priority setting workshops delivered to representatives from public and private research and development institutions, universities, non-governmental organizations, and other agencies affiliated to COSTECH.ResultsThe workshops resulted in ranked listings of research priorities for each sub-sector, totalling approximately 800 priorities. This large number was significantly reduced by an expert panel in order to build a manageable instrument aligned to national development plans that could be used to guide research investments.ConclusionsThe Tanzania experience is an instructive example of the challenges and issues to be faced in when attempting to identify research priority areas and setting an STI research agenda in low- and middle-income countries. As countries increase their investment in research, it is essential to increase investment in research management and governance as well, a key and much needed capacity for countries to make proper use of research investments.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12961-015-0002-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Identifying research priorities is key to innovation and economic growth, since it informs decision makers on effectively targeting issues that have the greatest potential public benefit
The African Union pledged that all countries in the region would aim to spend 1% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on Research and Development (R&D)
In 2010, a survey conducted by the African Union among 19 de Haan et al Health Research Policy and Systems (2015) 13:14 countries in the region found that only three countries – Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda – met this 1% spending goal, while R&D spending in the other 16 countries ranged between 0.2% and 0.48% [2]

Summary

Introduction

Identifying research priorities is key to innovation and economic growth, since it informs decision makers on effectively targeting issues that have the greatest potential public benefit. While the policies define the aims and values that guide national research and innovation development, the priorities inform on the key research and innovation areas where the country should focus its investment, while the management plan provides the operational. In 2005, Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, announced the commitment to spend 1% of the country’s GDP on R&D by 2015, a major increase from the 0.3% of Tanzania’s GDP expenditure for R&D at that time [3]. This pledge was upheld by the incumbent President, Jakaya Kikwete [4].

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Conclusion