A research chair is a programme created in Research and Development institutions (R&D), Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) and Industries which engages in specific responsive research whilst recognizing individual excellence, leadership and talent. The research chairs foster prestige and visibility associated with an individual. The research chair catalyses organizational expertise in a given area, attracts, retains, mentors, creates world-class networks, builds critical mass, establishes research and innovation infrastructure, commercializes innovations and establishes spin-off companies/industries contributing to the national research and innovation system.

Research chair programmes should address national research agenda and institutional research priorities, focus on achieving research excellence and building frontiers in specific fields.

The role of COSTECH on research chairs is of coordinating and monitoring the implementation of research chairs in Tanzania. The duration of a research chair shall be a minimum of five years subject to conditional renewal to a maximum of fifteen years. Examples of research chairs which have been established in Tanzania include, the Oliver R Tham bo Africa Research Chairs established at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Nelson Mandela-African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) which are focused on animal and human health. Likewise, the University of Dar es Salaam had research chairs on diverse disciplines.

In order to ensure that these research chairs are established and operate well, COSTECH has prepared the National Framework for Research Chairs which provides an overarching guide that sets minimum requirements for the establishment and management of research chairs in HLIs and R&D institutions.

For more information, please read the National Framework for Research Chairs.