What funders can do to strengthen transdisciplinary research for sustainable development in Africa
Date
2025-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
FARA
Abstract
Description
This policy brief provides research funders with practical guidance on good funding practices for transdisciplinary research (TDR) in Global North-South collaborations. It is based on a dialog between German and African actors as well as expert interviews. Funders are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals when investing in solution-oriented research for sustainable development in Africa. Complex sustainability challenges can be addressed by a transdisciplinary research approach which integrates knowledge from research and practice. Setting the funding conditions right is crucial to enable the creation of evidence-based, actionable knowledge through research-practice collaboration. To maximize the impact of transdisciplinary research, current funding frameworks must be adapted to the specific needs of such collaborative research.
Keywords
Citation
Aarnoudse, E., Fischer, B., & Terlau, W. (2025). What funders can do to strengthen transdisciplinary research for sustainable development in Africa. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Accra, Ghana. Pages 1-9.