Partnership Models
How to partner with KMFRI
What each partnership model entails, what KMFRI needs from a prospective partner, what you can expect from the process, and how to start a conversation.
Three Models in Detail
What each partnership model actually involves
Research Collaboration
For universities, research bodies & scientific institutions
A research collaboration typically centres on a shared question or programme — joint field surveys, co-authored publications, mutual use of laboratory or vessel facilities, or a structured student/staff exchange. It is usually formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding or a Joint Research Agreement.
What KMFRI offers
Access to 12 field stations and RV Mtafiti research vessel
Co-authorship on resulting publications (role-dependent)
Laboratory access (subject to availability and agreement scope)
PhD and postdoctoral hosting under KMFRI supervision
Long-term monitoring datasets (via data sharing agreement)
What KMFRI asks from you
A clear, scoped research proposal or programme description
Institutional affiliation and ethics/IRB clearance where relevant
KMFRI co-authorship acknowledged in outputs
Contribution to field costs where infrastructure is shared
Agreement types
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Joint Research Agreement
Data Sharing Agreement (for data access only)
Student Hosting Agreement (postgrad or postdoc)
Funding & Co-Investment
For donors, foundations & development finance institutions
Funding partnerships range from project-level research grants to multi-year programme co-financing and capital infrastructure investment. KMFRI provides full accountability reporting, including financial documentation to audit standard, and integrates donor requirements into programme design from the outset.
What KMFRI offers
Full financial accountability and audit documentation
Programme design aligned to funder logframe or ToC requirements
Named senior scientist as programme lead and accountability contact
Quarterly and annual progress reporting
Impact documentation and visibility in KMFRI communications
What KMFRI asks from you
A clear statement of funding intent or call for proposals
Realistic timelines — KMFRI does not accept emergency funding tranches
Flexibility for scientific programme adaptation within milestones
Open data commitment for any datasets produced under grant
Agreement types
Grant Agreement
Sub-grant Agreement (KMFRI as recipient)
Institutional Data Sharing Agreement + MOU (combination)
Technical & Advisory
For government agencies, NGOs & private sector
KMFRI provides technical expertise, data, and advisory services to county governments, national agencies, NGOs, and private sector organisations — often without a direct funding component. Arrangements are typically lightweight, faster to establish, and may require no formal agreement for data-sharing under open licence.
What KMFRI offers
Open dataset access (CC BY 4.0, no agreement needed)
Expert consultation and technical review (fee-based or in-kind)
Policy brief preparation on request
SAWA aquaculture suitability data for county planning
EIA review support for blue economy investments
What KMFRI asks from you
Clear description of the technical need or question
KMFRI attribution in any output that uses KMFRI expertise or data
Fee payment (or agreed in-kind exchange) for consultancy time
Agreement types
No agreement (open data access)
Service Level Agreement (for paid consultancy)
Letter of Support / Technical Advisory Letter
From First Contact to Active Collaboration
What to expect when you reach out
KMFRI's partnership process is intentionally straightforward. Most conversations begin with an email and lead to a call within a week. Formal agreements follow once scope is established — not the other way round.
1
Send an inquiry
Email partnerships@kmfri.go.ke or use the form below. Describe your institution, your interest, and — briefly — what you're hoping to achieve.
Response within 3 business days
2
Scoping call with the right KMFRI contact
Your inquiry is routed to the directorate most relevant to your interest. A senior scientist or the Partnerships Coordinator will make first contact and arrange a call or meeting.
Typically within 1–2 weeks of inquiry
3
Scope and agreement drafting
Once there is a clear mutual interest, a proposed scope, outputs, and roles are documented. For MOUs and grant agreements, KMFRI's legal team reviews with the partner.
4–12 weeks depending on model
4
Agreement signing and programme launch
Agreements require Director-General sign-off. Once signed, the lead scientist is confirmed, timelines are agreed, and the programme begins.
Launch within 2 weeks of signing
Eligibility & Expectations
What KMFRI looks for in a partner
All partnership types
A legitimate institutional or organisational mandate relevant to KMFRI's work
Clear alignment with at least one of KMFRI's research themes or service areas
Willingness to acknowledge KMFRI's role in any outputs
A named contact person with authority to commit to the partnership
For research collaborations
Demonstrated research capacity in the proposed area
Ethics clearance for any work involving human subjects or endangered species
Commitment to open data wherever data is produced
Kenya research permit where required by law
Publication embargo periods acceptable to KMFRI must be agreed in advance
For funding partnerships
Alignment with at least one of KMFRI's six current funding priorities
Multi-year commitment preferred (minimum 2 years)
Acceptance of KMFRI's open data and publication policies
Standard donor due diligence documentation will be provided on request
Common Questions
Frequently asked by prospective partners
Can individuals (not institutions) propose a collaboration?
KMFRI formalises agreements at institutional level. However, individual researchers — for example, PhD students at an external university — can be named within an agreement held between their institution and KMFRI. The key requirement is a host institution willing to be a signatory.
Does KMFRI accept unsolicited research proposals?
Yes, but they are assessed against KMFRI's current scientific priorities. Proposals that align closely with an active KMFRI research programme are far more likely to proceed quickly. A scoping conversation before submitting a full proposal is strongly recommended — it avoids wasted effort on both sides.
Who owns data collected in a joint project?
Data ownership is agreed explicitly in the Joint Research Agreement before any fieldwork begins. KMFRI's default position is joint ownership with CC BY 4.0 publication. Proprietary data arrangements require Director-General approval and are agreed case by case — they are the exception, not the rule.
Can a county government partner with KMFRI directly?
Yes. County governments are among KMFRI's most important technical advisory partners. Common arrangements include KMFRI providing aquaculture suitability data (SAWA), supporting county fisheries extension programmes, or providing expert review of county blue economy strategies. These typically proceed as lightweight Technical Advisory Agreements or Letters of Support.
How long does an MOU typically take to finalise?
6–12 weeks from initial scope agreement to signed document is typical for a standard MOU between two institutions. The main variables are legal review timelines on both sides and the complexity of the scope. KMFRI has a standard MOU template that can be adapted to reduce drafting time significantly.
Can KMFRI be a sub-recipient on a grant that another institution holds?
Yes, and KMFRI frequently operates in this role within CGIAR, World Bank, and bilateral-funded programmes. Sub-grant agreements must comply with KMFRI's procurement and financial management policies, which are aligned to international standards and available for review on request.
Ready to start a conversation?
The simplest first step is an email. Tell us who you are, what you're working on, and what kind of collaboration you have in mind. We'll route your inquiry to the right person within three business days.