NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION (NACOSTI)

APPLICATION FOR A RESEARCH LICENSE

Target Group

All persons intending to undertake research in the country

Requirements

Application for a Research License is submitted online by visiting the link https://research-portal.nacosti.go.ke/

The application shall be accompanied by:

1. Photograph  - The size of the passport photo is 2*2 inches (51*51 mm) head must be between 25-35 mm from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. It should be coloured and in JPG or PNG format and below 450 pixels.
2. Identification Document  - This entail national Identification Card (ID) for Kenyans and bio page for passport, alien ID for Non-Citizens. This should be in pdf format.
3. Introductory Letter  - The applicant should submit a letter from relevant institution that is signed by an authorized officer. The letter should include name, title of research, research sites, duration of study and other relevant information.
4. Affiliation - Non-Kenyans who intend to undertake research in the country must be affiliated to a local relevant institution. The institution should have the capacity to host, monitor, evaluate and report on the research project. This should be demonstratable through their current human resource, facilities and mandate. The affiliation letter should be signed by an authorized officer and be valid for a period of one year.
5. Grant Letter  - The applicants are expected to upload a grant letter from the funding agency to support the amount indicated for funding of the project. The letter should include name of recipient, title of the project, amount and other relevant information.
6. Ethical Approval  - Applicants should submit an approval letter from an Accredited Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee. Link: https://www.nacosti.go.ke/accredited-isercs-in-kenya  
7. Clinical Trials - Applications seeking clearance to conduct clinical trials must submit approval from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
8. Genetic Resources and Derivatives - Applications to conduct research on genetic resources and derivatives must submit Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT); Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) where applicable.
9. Research Proposal - Applicants are required to upload an approved research proposal in pdf format. This should include: Title, Abstract, Literature Review, Problem statement, Objectives, Justification, Methodology, Workplan, Budget, Expected output, Mode of dissemination of the Findings, References/bibliography Research Instruments and relevant Annexes.
10. Payment - Payments for research licensing should be done via e-Citizen.

Payment Details

MIGRATION TO E-CITIZEN PLATFORM
The National Commission for Science and Technology (NACOSTI) wishes to inform all stakeholders that, following the Presidential Directive on digitalization of payment for government services, the Commission has migrated the services for research licencing to the E-citizen Platform, effective November 17, 2023. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition period.

Kenya Shillings Account

other available payments via eCitizen

US Dollar Account

Service Charges

The same fee applies for renewal of Research License and Research license payments are non-refundable

Conditions of the Research License   

According to Legal Notice No. 108: the Science, Technology and Innovation (Research Licensing) Regulations, all persons issued with a license must abide by the following conditions:

1. The Licence is valid for the proposed research, location and specified period.
2. Neither the licence nor any right thereunder shall be transferred, assigned, or disposed of in any manner, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, through transfer of control of the licence to any person.
3. The Commission reserves the right to cancel the research licence at any time during the research period if in the opinion of the Commission the research is not implemented in conformity with the provisions of the Act or any other written law.
4. Upon request of the Commission, the licensee shall, at any time before expiration of the licence, submit written statements, signed under oath or affirmation if appropriate, to enable the Commission to determine whether or not the licence should be modified, suspended, or revoked.
5. The Licensee shall inform the County Governor and County Commissioner in the area of research before commencement.
6. Excavation, filming, movement, and collection of specimens are subject to further permission from relevant Government Agencies.
7. The Commission reserves the right to modify the conditions of the Licence including cancellation without prior notice.
8. The Licence does not give authority to transfer research materials.
9. The Commission may monitor and evaluate the licensed research project for the purpose of assessing and evaluating compliance with the conditions of the Licence.
10. The licensee shall adhere to such procedures, standards, code of ethics and guidelines as may be prescribed by relevant legislation.
11. The Licensee shall upload a copy of their final report onto a platform designated by the Commission within one year of completion.
12. Applications for renewal of the research licence should be received at least two months prior to the date of expiry.

Duration of License  

The validity of the License shall be one (1) year from the date of issuance.  

Renewal of License  

In case the research project has not been completed within the stipulated period, the researcher may apply for renewal of the License and pay the requisite fee. Under the circumstances, the researcher is expected to apply for renewal by attaching a progress report instead of a proposal. The progress report must indicate the objectives and activities that have been accomplished while indicating the research work that is yet to be undertaken.

That Submission of a request for renewal of approval should be at least thirty (30) days prior to expiry of the approval period.

Conduct of Research

All persons granted research licenses must abide by the conditions of the License and all applicable Regulatory and Legislative framework.

Reports

A Licensee shall upload a copy of the final research report to the Commission within one year of completion.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Commission may conduct or cause to be conducted an evaluation of research carried out under the Act for the purpose of assessing and evaluating compliance with the conditions of the license.

Rejection and Appeal 

If the application does not meet the conditions required under the Act, the Commission shall reject the application and communicate the reasons to the applicant. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Commission under these Regulations, may appeal to the Cabinet Secretary within thirty days of being notified of the decision.

Licence Renewal

In case the research project has not been completed within the stipulated period, the researcher may apply for renewal of the License two months before expiry and pay the requisite fee. Under the circumstances, the researcher is expected to apply for renewal by attaching a progress report instead of a proposal.