This project aims to strengthen the capacity of science granting councils to fund and manage research and innovation in areas aligned with their national development plans and priorities. An overarching research framework based on the SGCI theory of change has been proposed to guide the councils and the collaborating technical agencies supporting their work in selecting the proposals to fund. The framework focuses on potential areas and activities linked to broad research objectives such as) putting research findings into economic and social use, promoting private sector partnerships in research and innovation and enhancing gender equality and inclusivity.