Window VII – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Overview

Window VII recognises that robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) is essential for demonstrating impact, improving programme quality, and building an evidence base for research and innovation policy in The Gambia. This window funds MEL system development, impact evaluations, learning platforms, and knowledge management initiatives that serve the broader NRIF grantee community and Gambian development sector.

Eligible Activities

• Design and implementation of MEL frameworks and data collection systems for research and innovation programmes
• Independent impact evaluations of completed or ongoing NRIF-funded programmes
• Development of sector-level indicators and measurement frameworks
• MEL capacity building: training grantees in data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Learning events, communities of practice, and peer-learning platforms
• Data visualisation and reporting tools for programme management
• Theory of change workshops and logic model development
• External evaluations and value-for-money assessments

Learning and Dissemination

All Window VII grantees are expected to produce at least one publicly available knowledge product (e.g., evaluation report, learning brief, policy brief, or case study) by the end of the grant period. NRIF will support dissemination through its knowledge hub and annual learning symposium.

Eligible Lead Applicants

• Research institutions, universities, and think tanks with demonstrated MEL expertise
• Professional evaluation firms and consultancies registered in The Gambia
• Civil society organisations with a track record in evidence generation and policy engagement
• NRIF grantee organisations seeking to strengthen their internal MEL systems (for MEL capacity-building grants)

Independence Requirement

• Applications for independent impact evaluations must come from organisations that have no institutional conflict of interest with the programme being evaluated
• Self-evaluations of an applicant's own programmes are not eligible under this window

Conditions

• All evaluations must adhere to the AEA, UNEG, or OECD DAC evaluation standards
• At least one knowledge product must be made publicly available and submitted to NRIF's knowledge hub
• Data collection activities must comply with The Gambia's Data Protection Act