FOSTER Project

The FOSTER Project – Fostering Digital Transformation of Science in Kenya and Tanzania (Project No. 101178078) is a 36‑month Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) initiative funded under ERASMUS‑EDU‑2024‑CBHE, Strand 2. The project brings together universities and research institutions from Kenya, Tanzania, and the European Union to strengthen an inclusive, collaborative, and responsible Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem through the systematic adoption of Open Science (OS) principles. The project responds directly to the priority of Digital Transformation in Sub‑Saharan Africa, supporting the digital economy and research connectivity by improving data infrastructures, research governance, digital inclusion, and citizen engagement in science. It draws on European best practices in Open Science while addressing the socio‑economic and institutional realities of Kenyan and Tanzanian higher education systems. At its core, FOSTER promotes Open Access, FAIR data principles, responsible research and innovation, citizen science, and institutional reform, positioning universities as catalysts for national development and community‑driven research. The FOSTER Project is implemented by a strong multinational consortium comprising higher education institutions and regional organisations from Kenya, Tanzania and Europe. The partnership brings together complementary expertise in Open Science policy, digital research infrastructures, curriculum development, citizen science, and project management, ensuring effective knowledge transfer between European Union institutions and Partner Country universities in East Africa.

2. Project Objectives

The FOSTER project aims to strengthen an Inclusive, Collaborative, and Responsible Science, Technology, and Innovation ecosystem through the implementation of Open Science principles and values in Kenya and Tanzania.

SO1

Promote Open Science culture and build national and university consensus among key actors in each partner country by Month 36.

SO2

Enhance university transition for sustainable Open Science practices in each partner country by Month 21.

SO3

Advance university Open Science infrastructure in each partner country by Month 21.

SO4

Embed Open Science in university policies and strengthen national regulatory frameworks in each partner country by Month 36.

SO5

Foster Citizen Science initiatives in each partner country by Month 36.

3. Expected Deliverables

Across the project lifecycle, the consortium will produce the following core deliverables:

I

Open Science Country Profiles for Kenya and Tanzania.

II

Advanced Needs Analysis on Open Science capacities.

III

Open Science Infrastructure Development Plans.

IV

Formal and informal Open Science curricula embedded at Master’s and PhD levels.

V

University-level Open Science policies including strategy, open access, data management, rewards, and recognition.

VI

Science Shop 2.0 Model to institutionalise citizen science.

VII

National and institutional recommendations for mainstreaming Open Science.

FOSTER Project © 2026 | Advancing Open Science in Kenya & Tanzania