10 - Selection Report 2023–2024 CODESRIA Meaning-Making Research Initiatives (MRI)

Following the resumption of programme activities at the Council in the latter half of 2023, the Research Programme successfully launched the third edition of the Meaning-making Research Initiative (MRI) grants. The first edition was held in 2017, followed by a double edition for 2018–2019. Both editions were concluded by 2022 and the final set of papers and books that were judged publishable have now been published. The last of these set of articles are contained in Africa Development, Volume 48, No. 3, 2023 at https://doi.org/10.57054/ad.v48i3. The Meaning-making Research Initiative (MRI), launched in July 2017, serves as the Council’s primary vehicle for advancing research in the social sciences and humanities. In November 2023, three categories of calls (General, Special Call for Female Scholars, Advanced Senior Scholars) were advertised in English, French and Portuguese. The calls were specifically designed to align with the objectives of CODESRIA’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan. This report provides information on the selection process, in the process also highlighting important lessons that applicants might find beneficial. It is divided into five sections: Analysis of Applications; Selection Process; Selected Proposals; Selection of Resource Persons; and Evaluators’ Insights.