National research priorities (NRP) are the research themes of focus during a development period (e.g. five years). These are targeted interventions with the most significant socio-economic impact by using available limited resources. The NRP are created in every five years term.

The NRP updates the National Research Agenda (NRA), which sets the research priorities from 2016, retaining and emphasizing areas of relevance. In addition, the NRP contributes to the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025 and the Five-year development Plan (FYDP) III 2021/2022-2025/2026 to industrialize the economy and move to a higher middle-income status. The NRP incorporates national and institutional policies and strategies that influence R & D, such as the Tanzania Long Term Perspective Plan (2011/2012-2025/2026), the CCM Ruling Party Manifesto 2020-2025, and the Integrated Industrial Development Strategy (IIDS) 2025.

The NRP addresses international obligations and features its subscription to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Vision 2050, East African Community Vision 2050, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development 2015

The NRP is drafted to respond to dynamic societal needs, provide creative solutions and set the pace for socio economic transformation. The anticipated research outputs are expected to improve skills and build capacity, give to new knowledge, technology, products and processes that will improve the existing ones and enhance job creation, generate revenues and eventually achieve a sustainable industrial-based economy.

The NRP consists of six broad research priorities as outlined below

Human Capital Development and Quality Livelihood

Research in this area serves to complement and enhance ongoing initiatives by providing evidence to ensure cost-effectiveness, efficiency and innovation in the sectors of education, health, settlement, water and sanitation as well as on food security and nutrition. The objective is to attain quality livelihood for every Tanzanian and transform the current pace of growing the population into skilled human capital for the industrial-based economy in a sustainable manner. Sub-themes for this area are as follows;

a)Education – research in this area should focus to address the following.

• Quality and relevant curriculum development and implementation.
• Improving access and retention of quality education at all levels.