Faced with the structural challenges of development in Haiti, the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) strengthens its commitment to national scientific research. Through the creation of the BRH Fund for Research and Development (FRD-BRH), the central bank intends to support rigorous and innovative work to inform public decision-making and promote sustainable, inclusive and data-based development.
The Bank of the Republic of Haiti officially established this week the BRH Fund for Research and Development (FRD-BRH), the result of a strategic reflection initiated since 2017 on the structural obstacles to economic growth, job creation and the overall development of the country. This initiative is part of the vision of a modern, innovative and focused central bank to anchor public action in science and rigorous data analysis.
According to the Governor of BRH, Ronald Gabriel, the Fund pursues a twofold objective: on the one hand, to finance scientific research projects of national interest in Haiti; on the other hand, to encourage the emergence of public policies and investment initiatives, both public and private, in sectors considered to be priorities. Through this tool, BRH aims to strengthen the role of research in designing sustainable solutions to the country's economic, social and technological issues.
In a context marked by the chronic weakness of research funding, the FRD-BRH aims to mobilize universities, research centres, scientific teams and independent researchers around key national issues. The areas concerned include economic and social development, climate change, the digital economy and scientific progress.
The official website of the Fund is a central pillar of the scheme. It ensures transparency in the selection process and facilitates access to information for the scientific community and the general public. Applicants can consult the Fund's missions, priority areas, governance and project submission procedures.
The application process takes place in five stages, from the creation of an online account to the full submission of the file, including the curriculum vitae, detailed budget, project summary and required legal documents. Applicants also have the opportunity to monitor online the evolution of their demand.
Projects are evaluated according to rigorous criteria relating to their scientific and social relevance, methodological coherence, financial feasibility, the level of qualification of researchers and their potential impact on public policies. Innovation and social utility are at the heart of the evaluation process.
Through the establishment of the BRH Fund for Research and Development, the central bank thus sends a strong signal to researchers and academic institutions: science and knowledge production are called upon to play a central role in building sustainable and structuring development for Haiti.
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