The National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) opened the calls for proposals on 15 June 2026, which has 12 windows for different categories of university researchers, TVet centers and students among others. The grand launch also witnessed the launching of D100 million endowment funds from philanthropists, the government, private sectors and individuals to support meaningful research for the country. Present on the occasion were the IOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Makie Taal and IOU DVC (Academics) Prof. Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad.
In his speech, the NRIF Executive Officer, Prof. Momodou, said that for the African Universities Union the target is 1 percent of GDP, however it is currently 0.007 in The Gambia but they planned to increase it to 0.5 by 2030. He thanked the government for the seed funds given and invited all to contribute to this noble cause. During the formal launching, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, commended the effort of NRIF leadership and promised that only credible and justifiable proposals would be funded.
In the same vein NRIF launched its digital Platform to ensure transparency and accountability.