This month, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unveiled the Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS).
Tailored to advance the healthcare landscape, this initiative heralds a new era of possibilities for researchers, innovators, and healthcare practitioners.
Explore the avenues it opens for groundbreaking research and development, driving progress and transformation within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Read on:
About CBN Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS)
The CBN Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS) is a grant program that funds R&D activities in new and improved drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics of infectious diseases in Nigeria.
The program is part of the policy response of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the COVID-19 pandemic, which aims to strengthen the public healthcare system with innovative financing of R&D.
The HSRDIS is a collaboration between the CBN and the Body of Experts (BoE), a committee of experts from various fields of health sciences appointed by the CBN to oversee the implementation of the program.
The HSRDIS was launched in May 2020 by the then CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as part of the measures to diversify the Nigerian economy and reduce the dependence on oil revenues.
By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of how to apply for and utilize the HSRDIS grants to achieve your R&D objectives.
Features of the HSRDIS Grants

The HSRDIS grants have the following features:
- The grant amount is up to N550 million per project, depending on the category and type of the R&D activity.
- The grant is interest-free and non-repayable, with a tenor of up to 5 years.
- The grant can be used for various purposes, such as equipment purchase, consumables, personnel, and training.
- The grant is available for public and private entities, such as biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and research institutes.
Eligibility Criteria for the HSRDIS Grants
To be eligible for the HSRDIS grants, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a Nigerian citizen or a registered entity in Nigeria.
- You must have a viable R&D project or product development in the field of drugs, herbal medicines, or vaccines to prevent, control, and treat infectious diseases.
- You must have a bank verification number (BVN) and a valid identification.
- You must have an R&D proposal and a budget breakdown.
- You must have a good track record and a satisfactory guarantor.
Read full article: 10 Government Loans Available This Month
Application Process for the HSRDIS Grants
To apply for the HSRDIS grants, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the HSRDIS portal and fill out the online application form.
- Provide documents such as your R&D proposal, budget breakdown, CV, and guarantor’s details.
- Submit your application and wait for the verification and approval process.
- Receive your grant disbursement through your bank account.
3 Benefits of the HSRDIS Grants
The HSRDIS grants offer several benefits to R&D activities in Nigeria, such as:
1. Funding
The HSRDIS grants provide R&D activities with the funds they need to conduct their R&D projects or product development.
The HSRDIS grants have flexible terms and conditions, such as no interest, no repayment, and no collateral requirements, that make them attractive and accessible to R&D activities.
2. Quality
The HSRDIS grants also ensure the quality and safety of the R&D outputs, such as drugs, herbal medicines, and vaccines, by requiring the validation and approval of relevant health authorities.
3. Impact
The HSRDIS grants also positively impact the health and well-being of Nigerians by supporting the R&D of drugs, herbal medicines, and vaccines that can prevent, control, and treat infectious diseases in Nigeria and beyond.
The HSRDIS grants also contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and development by creating more jobs and income for R&D activities and related sectors.
Conclusion
Introducing the CBN Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS) marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
With its launch this month, the scheme sets the stage for accelerated innovation and progress in research and development.
As stakeholders seize HSRDIS’s opportunities, they contribute to advancing healthcare services and solutions nationwide.
Embrace this transformative initiative, harnessing its potential to drive positive change and improve healthcare outcomes for all.