The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with the Gates Foundation, is implementing the Good Grant Practice Virtual Academy to improve financial governance and grant compliance in African organizations.
Running from March to December 2025, the program aims to equip research and non-research organizations with the skills and systems needed to manage donor funds effectively.
A key component of this initiative is its delivery through the APHRC Virtual Learning Academy (VLA), ensuring that training remains accessible and scalable for organizations across Africa. Through the VLA, interactive training modules, peer-to-peer learning, and expert-led mentorship are provided to support the adoption of best financial management practices.
Key Objectives
The initiative intends to:
- Improve financial management systems and processes.
- Enhance transparency and accountability in grant management.
- Increase the number of African organizations securing direct donor funding.
- Establish a Community of Practice (CoP) for continuous learning.
- Support organizations with GFGP self-assessments and certification.
Training Approach
A combination of online and in-person learning are being used for the tinitiative including:
- Training: Self-paced courses are offered through the APHRC Virtual Learning Academy, along with virtual sessions and in-person workshops.
- Technical Assistance: One-on-one mentorship and virtual consultations are provided to help organizations apply learned skills and progress toward GFGP certification.
- Community of Practice: An online platform has been established to facilitate knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and collaboration in improving grant management practices.
Courses Offered
A comprehensive curriculum has been developed to strengthen financial governance and enhance organizational sustainability. Each module requires approximately two hours of study.
Courses offered include:
- Introduction to GFGP
- Financial Management and Controls
- Budgeting
- Risk Management
- Human Resource Management
- Governance
- Grant Management and Compliance
- Procurement
Through the initiatives, organizations will be able to strengthen their financial systems, meeting global grant management standards.
About APHRC
APHRC is a leading research-to-policy institution focused on generating evidence, strengthening research capacity, and engaging policymakers to drive action on health and development in Africa. APHRC works in areas such as human development, health and well-being, population dynamics, and urbanization.
About the Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation is a global nonprofit committed to reducing poverty, improving healthcare, and expanding education opportunities worldwide. Established in 2000, it partners with organizations and governments to advance solutions in global health, development, and policy advocacy.
