Amid the ongoing grant funding crunch in Africa, universities that can prove their ability to manage funds ethically and transparently are more likely to have a competitive advantage in the funding marketplace.

Unisa is such a university. On 28 January 2026, the institution was awarded Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Platinum Certification – the highest level of certification – by the Global Grant Community and the African Academy of Science.

This internationally recognised framework assesses whether an institution has robust systems, policies, processes and people in place to manage external grant funding responsibly.

"GFGP Platinum Certification has important implications for Unisa, especially in today’s constrained funding environment," says Carin Niemand, Acting Manager: Budgets and Grants in Unisa’s Directorate of Research Support.

"Funders increasingly require assurance that institutions can manage funds responsibly and accountably. This certification strengthens Unisa’s credibility and reputation with external funders, donors and partners, both locally and internationally," she says.

"It also positions Unisa as a trusted and funder-ready institution, improving our competitiveness for large-scale grants, strategic funding opportunities, and multi-institutional and international collaborations."

Part of a growing continental movement

Unisa’s achievement places it among a growing, but still limited, number of African universities that have sought independent certification of their grant-management systems under the GFGP framework.

Institutions such as the University of the Free State in South Africa and several universities in Kenya have also pursued GFGP certification as part of broader efforts to strengthen financial governance, transparency and funder confidence.

"However, achieving platinum-level certification remains relatively rare and signals a high degree of institutional maturity in managing complex, large-scale and multi-partner research funding."

Niemand, who led the Unisa team during the two-year certification process, says she appreciates all the support and assistance she received from across the university. "This outcome reflects strong collaboration between the Research Support Directorate, Finance Department, colleges, research administrators and institutional governance structures," she adds. "It is very much a collective achievement."

Rigorous process led by auditing firm

Unisa’s certification was achieved through a rigorous, independent assessment conducted by auditing firm KPMG.

The process included a detailed review of Unisa’s policies, standard operating procedures and financial controls, as well as an assessment of grant management roles and responsibilities across finance, research and colleges.

The audit team’s work also entailed evaluating Unisa’s grant contracting, fund management, reporting and oversight mechanisms.

According to Niemand, the auditors looked for evidence of consistent application of these processes in practice, across the full life cycle of external research funding. This includes pre-award readiness, contracting and compliance, financial management and controls, and monitoring, reporting and audit readiness.

"The assessment confirmed that Unisa not only has the required frameworks in place, but that these are embedded, operational and effectively implemented across the institution," Niemand says.

What certification means for Unisa researchers

Niemand says Unisa researchers are encouraged to reference the institution’s GFGP Platinum Certification in funding proposals, consortium bids and partnership engagements where funders require assurance of robust grant management and financial controls.

"The certification may be cited in institutional capability statements, due-diligence responses and accreditation documentation, and a copy of the certificate can be included where appropriate," she says. "Researchers are advised to present the certification as evidence of Unisa’s institutional systems and governance, rather than as a substitute for funder-specific requirements."

The current certification is valid until January 2029, when Unisa will have to apply for renewal, according to Niemand. "Maintaining GFGP Platinum Certification will require ongoing institutional commitment, continuous improvement and collaboration across the research and finance ecosystem."

* By Clairwyn Rapley, Directorate of Research Support