General objective:

The overall objective of the assignment is to support the development of a Ghanaian industry-academia research partnership model inspired by the French CIFRE scheme, with a specific focus on strengthening applied research, innovation and skills development in Ghana’s health sector.

Specific objectives:

To achieve this objective, the action will pursue the following specific objectives:

• SO1. To assess the Ghanaian higher education, research and health innovation ecosystem in order to identify the opportunities, challenges and enabling conditions for the development of a CIFRE-inspired model.

• SO2. To identify Ghanaian universities, public institutions and private sector actors that could be interested in, eligible for, and capable of participating in a CIFRE-inspired mechanism in the health sector.

• SO3. To design an adapted Ghanaian model, including its governance, implementation modalities, funding options and operational requirements, with consideration given to both PhD-level and potential Master’s-level pathways.

Expected results:

The achievement of these objectives is expected to generate the following results:

• Result 1. The Ghanaian context is assessed, and the institutional, regulatory and operational conditions for the development of a CIFRE-inspired model are identified. 

• Result 2. Relevant Ghanaian universities, ministries, research institutions and private sector actors in the health sector are mapped and assessed in terms of interest, eligibility and implementation capacity.

• Result 3. A Ghanaian CIFRE-inspired model for the health sector is designed, including its governance framework, implementation modalities, eligibility criteria, partnership arrangements and financing options.

Scope of work

The consultant will provide technical assistance to Expertise France in assessing the feasibility and designing a Ghanaian industry-academia research partnership model inspired by the French CIFRE scheme.

The assignment will focus on Ghana's health sector and will aim to strengthen collaboration between universities, research institutions, government stakeholders and the private sector in order to promote applied research, innovation and knowledge transfer.

Building on an analysis of the French model and the Ghanaian institutional landscape, the consultant will develop an operational model adapted to the national context. The assignment will also explore the feasibility of extending such a mechanism beyond doctoral programmes to Master's-level students where appropriate.

Throughout the assignment, the consultant will adopt a participatory approach, engaging relevant public and private stakeholders to ensure that the proposed model is technically sound, institutionally feasible and aligned with national priorities.

Tasks to be carried out

To achieve the above objectives, the beneficiary will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

Task 1 – Review of the French CIFRE model and international good practices

• Analyse the governance, financing, implementation arrangements and success factors of the French CIFRE scheme

• Review comparable international models promoting collaboration between academia and industry through applied research

• Identify key lessons that could inform the development of a Ghanaian model

Task 2 – Mapping and feasibility assessment

• Assess the Ghanaian higher education and research landscape, including the structure of public and private higher education institutions, postgraduate education pathways, research practices, industry collaboration mechanisms, and the role of applied research within the health sector

• Map relevant Ghanaian universities, research institutions and government bodies, funding institutions and private sector stakeholders involved in health research and innovation

• Conduct stakeholder consultations and interviews to assess needs, expectations, existing collaboration mechanisms and potential roles in a future CIFRE-inspired model

• Assess the institutional, legal, academic and financial feasibility of implementing a Ghanaian CIFRE-inspired model

• Identify existing initiatives, opportunities for synergies and key enabling conditions for the development of the proposed mechanism

Task 3 – Design of the Ghanaian model

• Develop an operational Ghanaian industry-academia research partnership model inspired by the French CIFRE scheme

• Define the proposed governance framework, institutional arrangements, eligibility criteria, partnership modalities, supervision arrangements and financing options

• Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders involved, including universities, government institutions, private sector partners and students 

• Define the implementation modalities and financing mechanism required for the future deployment of the model, including the main steps, resources and institutional responsibilities

• Assess the feasibility of applying the mechanism to doctoral programmes and explore potential adaptations for Master's-level programmes

Task 4 – Development of an implementation roadmap

• Develop practical recommendations for implementing the proposed mechanism

• Identify potential pilot institutions and implementation scenarios

• Prepare an indicative implementation roadmap, including key milestones, risks and enabling conditions

Task 5 – Validation and finalisation

• Present the proposed model and recommendations during a validation workshop with relevant stakeholders

7. Anticipated deliverables