Our Impact
Instrumental Access promotes equity across the global scientific communitySince 2008, at 102 Instrumental Access institutions:
How We Measure Success
What does success look like? It’s different at every Instrumental Access institution because each one has its own vision and goals for research, teaching, and sustainability. We succeed to the extent that our equipment supports progress towards those goals.
As a data-driven team, we use metrics to inform and improve all aspects of our work. Across the Instrumental Access program, we measure outcomes and impacts in three areas:
1. Stronger Research
Instrumental Access equipment enables and accelerates research, resulting in evidence-based solutions to development challenges in health, food systems, energy, the environment, and many other areas.
2. Enhanced STEM Education
Equipment facilitates increased hands-on practical teaching, new and expanded postgraduate programs, and graduates better prepared to enter the STEM workforce in roles critical to development, like healthcare workers, farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
3. Sustainable Scientific Institutions
Equipment allows institutions to leverage additional funding and resources, making the scientific ecosystem self-sustaining. Benefits unlocked by Instrumental Access equipment include new research centers, improved ability to attract and retain students and staff, and opportunities for equitable participation in scientific collaborations.
Recognition as a Best Practice
Impact in Action:
Instrumental Access Success Stories
Expanding STEM Education: Equipment Brings New Life to a Chemistry Program in Need
Five years ago, the Chemistry Department at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education was losing students and outsourcing sample analysis to other facilities.
Now, thanks to Instrumental Access equipment, student attrition has dropped by half—and the department has qualified to begin both Masters and PhD programs.
Improving Global Health: Reclaiming Agency Over COVID-19 in Malawi
Because the Malawi University of Science and Technology received a 2018 Instrumental Access award, Dr. Gama Bandawe and his lab already had most of the equipment they needed to join the fight against COVID-19.
With additional support, Dr. Bandawe’s lab was able to implement a new diagnostics workflow. He and his team have now processed thousands of COVID-19 tests, filling an important need in Malawi’s pandemic response.
Instrumental Access Impact Update: COVID-19
Over the course of this year, our metrics and evaluation team connected with 19 Instrumental Access awardees who used their labs and expertise to contribute to their institutional, regional, and national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although campus closures, research project delays, and diverted funding disrupted many normal activities, Instrumental Access scientists used their tools and talent for the greater good.
Instrumental Access by the Numbers
Since the beginning of Instrumental Access, Seeding Labs has completed 134 shipments of equipment and supplies to 102 universities and research institutes in 39 developing countries worldwide.
These shipments distributed 351 tons of lab equipment from more than 200 generous donors and would cost an estimated $47 million to replace!
