Foster Project
Welcome to the FOSTER Project!
The FOSTER Project is a three-year initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme under the Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) Action.
Our mission is to drive digital transformation in science and education in Kenya and Tanzania by advancing Open Science through:
- Better data infrastructure
- Inclusive research
- Citizen science initiatives
- Digital inclusion
By building strong policy frameworks, infrastructure, and collaborations across higher education institutions and governments, FOSTER is shaping a more open, collaborative, and innovative scientific future.
How We Won the Grant
FOSTER was competitively awarded funding under the Erasmus+ CBHE programme after demonstrating its strong vision to transform science systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project stood out because it:
- Aligns with EU priorities on Open Science and FAIR data principles.
- Brings together a unique consortium of 9 partners from Kenya, Tanzania, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and
- Proposes a practical roadmap that combines capacity building, policy reform, and infrastructure development to sustain long-term
This recognition highlights the global importance of investing in digital transformation for science in Africa.
Project Details
- Acronym: FOSTER
- Full Title: Fostering Digital Transformation of Science in Kenya and Tanzania
- Project: Ref. nr. 101178078
- Coordinator: Daystar University
- Duration: 36 months (01 January 2025 – 31 December 2027)
- Funding Scheme: Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education
Objectives
- Promote an Open Science culture at national and university
- Enhance university transition for sustainable Open Science practices.
- Advance Open Science infrastructure in
- Embed Open Science in institutional policies and regulatory
- Foster Citizen Science initiatives in Kenya and
Work Packages (WPs)
- WP1: Project Management & Quality Assurance
- WP2: Building National & Institutional Consensus on Open Science
- WP3: University Transition to Open Science Practices
- WP4: Embedding Open Science in Institutional Policies
- WP5: Dissemination, Exploitation & Impact Maximization (Led by ESAMI)
ESAMI’s Role in FOSTER
ESAMI is the lead partner for WP5 – Dissemination, Exploitation, and Impact Maximization. This means ESAMI is responsible for:
- Developing and executing the Dissemination & Exploitation Strategy.
- Coordinating project-wide communication, visibility, and branding.
- Publishing newsletters, updates, and impact stories.
- Driving the Sustainability and Impact Maximization Plan to ensure results continue beyond the project’s lifecycle.
- Ensuring strong stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally.
Through its leadership in WP5, ESAMI plays a central role in making FOSTER’s achievements visible, impactful, and sustainable.
Updates & Events
Kickoff Meeting (2025)
The project was launched with all partners outlining strategies for digital transformation and Open Science
Workshops & Training
Upcoming capacity-building workshops in Slovenia and Spain (October 2025) will focus on Open Science practices, citizen science, and institutional policy
Infrastructure Roadmap
Drafting of the Open Science Infrastructure Development Plan and university transition models is underway.
Check back here for regular updates on events, milestones, and opportunities to engage.
Newsletters & Resources
Official Project Website
Visit the FOSTER Project website for in-depth details on partners, work packages, activities, and results.
ESAMI FOSTER Newsletter – Vol 1. Issue 1 (2025)
Available on the ESAMI website, this issue highlights project updates, events, and engagement opportunities.
Future newsletters will feature:
- Progress reports on each work package
- Success stories from Kenya and Tanzania
- Highlights from international workshops and conferences
- Upcoming training opportunities
Why It Matters
The FOSTER Project is not just about technology, it’s about empowering African universities and researchers to embrace Open Science, connect with global networks, and make research more inclusive, accessible, and impactful for society.