Education
Research in Kenya
Important Information for those intending to conduct research in Kenya
1. An application for a research permit, must be submitted in five (5) copies to reach the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, P.O. Box 30040, Nairobi, Kenya (herein referred to as the Ministry) at least two months before the date the Applicant intends to start conducting the research in Kenya.
2. The research clearance application forms must be accompanied by the following:
(a) Comprehensive curriculum vitae of all applicants (5 copies)
(b) A comprehensive project proposal, including details of objectives, hypothesis methodology, literature review and envisaged application of the research results (5 copies).
(c) A letter from the sponsor, if any (5 copies). Sponsor is the person or body providing primary financial and or material support towards the project.
(d) Three current passport-size photographs (not photo me) of the Applicant(s) duly endorsed by the sponsor or Referee.
3. The following non-refundable research application fees are payable to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, P.O. Box 30040, Nairobi, by the Applicant(s) in cash or local bankers cheque.
(a) Student Attachment ---------------US$100.
(b)Research (Academic) ---------------US$300.
(c)Research (Non-Academic) ----------US$400.
(d)Research Institutional --------------US$500.
(e)Research (Academic) ---------------Half of the rate concerned.
4. An Applicant who has been permitted to conduct research in Kenya must undertake to deposit a minimum of four bound copies of his/her research findings including notes and methodology with the Ministry, on completion of the research. If the research is to be completed outside Kenya, the raw, unfinished material must be endorsed by the affiliating institution and the relevant Government office before such materials may be taken out of Kenya. The final research reports must be submitted within a year from the indicated as the completion date on this application form unless an extension has been approved in writing by the Ministry.
5. For projects which take longer than a year, two copies of yearly progress report, duly endorsed by the affiliating institution, must be submitted to the Ministry.
6. Any loss or damage to materials or documents made available to a researcher, must be made good by him/her.
7. Materials, specimens, information or documents obtained in the course of the research work must not be used or be disposed of, in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the Republic of Kenya.
8. Research association/affiliation with a relevant Kenyan public research institution intended or finalized, must be shown on this application form (see Part II, No. 4). It is the applicant’s responsibility to negotiate for the affiliation and provide the necessary documentary evidence of this affiliation. No research permit will be issued until the affiliation is confirmed. A list of institutions approved for affiliation purposes is appended.
9. For short and medium-term projects, the research permit will be issued for a period not exceeding three years, subject to renewal for a further one year. An application for renewal, shall be submitted to the Ministry at least three months before the expiry of the permit. A renewal fee of half the original, shall be paid.
10. For long-term projects taking more than three years, applicants are advised to request for further information from the Ministry before submitting their application.
11. The Government of Kenya will have access to data and research premises of the project.
12. Persons who have not submitted satisfactory final reports on previous research work done in Kenya may not be cleared for new projects.
13. Attention is drawn to sponsoring institutions and referees on the shared responsibility of making sure that researchers sponsored by them, observe the foregoing regulations. A breach of the regulations, could result in refusal of permits for other researchers sponsored by the same institution.
14. Applicants intending to do research in Kenya should only come to Kenya after a written approval has been issued on their applications by the authorizing officer, i.e. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Any potential researcher that comes to Kenya on different visas i.e. visitors pass, tourist visa, business visa, etc. will automatically be disqualified from getting research status in the country. A research permit is not a certificate for citizenship.