As Lewis Carroll famously observed:If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.This reminds us that no institution can aspire to sustainable financing without a clear vision of what it wants to do. I have been involved in scientific research, particularly agricultural research, for more than four decades. As a researcher, member of science academies, director general of the Africa Rice Center/CGIAR, and Senegal’s minister in charge of agricultural research, I have observed one constant: financial partners support institutions they trust, not just projects that make promises. This trust is given to well-run institutions. That makes them more resilient to financial instability and better positioned to attract long-term partnerships. Trust is built on five pillars: a credible strategic plantransparent and accountable governance qualified researchers, competent technicians and capable managersadequate infrastructuredemonstrable impact.In a world where resources are becoming scarce, the real competition is no longer only among projects. It’s among the institutions that carry them.A clear strategic planThe first step towards sustainable financing is a clear and credible strategic plan. Research institutions must show that what they do is in line with national, regional and global priorities. They must also show that they respond to the real needs of farmers, businesses, policymakers and society at large.Strategic planning gives direction and accountability. It enables institutions to set scientific agendas, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure that research outputs translate into development benefits.Institutional credibilityModern research financing requires high standards of transparency, accountability and compliance. Administrative and financial management is a big part of credibility. Funding partners pay close attention to budget management, procurement procedures, compliance requirements and project monitoring. They expect institutions to have:reliable financial procedurescertified financial statementsindependent audits effective governing bodies. Institutions with efficient administrative systems present lower risks to partners. They are therefore more attractive candidates for long-term funding.It’s a good idea to have a variety of funding sources. Public funding, research contracts, private-sector partnerships and competitive grant mechanisms are all part of a sustainable financing strategy.The credibility of an institution is also reflected in its ability to work with others. Partnerships with universities, international research centres, private-sector actors, farmers’ organisations and local authorities improve the science and make it more relevant to society.These things are not mere formalities. They are the foundation of institutional trust.Scientific critical massResearch is a collective enterprise. It requires diverse abilities, collaboration between disciplines, and continuity over time.So it’s essential to have scientific critical mass. Institutions must show that they have enough qualified researchers, competent technicians and capable managers.Scientific quality is reflected through:peer-reviewed publicationstechnological innovationspatentsrecognised expertise national and international partnerships.Equally important is the ability to transform research outputs into practical innovations. This can be done through technology transfer, advisory services, incubation, science communication and knowledge dissemination.Research that fails to reach its users has less value.Institutions that consistently invest in people are generally attractive to donors, even when budgets are tight. Adequate infrastructureBeyond human resources, research institutions need infrastructure. To produce knowledge, they must have laboratories, experimental stations, digital platforms, scientific equipment and information systems.Development partners view these assets as signs of being able to get work done. Institutions without adequate infrastructure often find it difficult to get useful results from funding.ImpactImpact has become the new currency of research.Over the past two decades, the criteria for funding research have changed. Donors are no longer satisfied with reports describing activities alone. They want to see measurable outcomes and impacts.Research institutions need to create:credible performance evaluation systemsfunctional monitoring and evaluation frameworks clear indicators of results and impact.In agriculture, research is assessed according to its contribution to productivity growth, climate resilience, food security, nutrition, and value creation.Studies have shown that investments in agricultural research generate substantial economic, social and environmental returns. They can also strengthen food security and resilience.Where it’s workedThe African Centres of Excellence programme illustrates the link between funding and impact. The programme, supported by the World Bank, promotes research and innovation excellence in Africa. Funding is linked to measurable performance and results: educational quality, scientific publications, partnerships, innovations, and graduate employability. Read more: Agriculture in Africa: science and research can’t make an impact without investment and good policies AfricaRice, a CGIAR centre dedicated to rice research and development in Africa, is another example. The institution has demonstrated impact on African rice systems. It has also built its reputation through sound governance, scientific excellence and extensive partnerships. This credibility has enabled it to mobilise sustainable funding. In turn this has made it stronger as a centre of excellence serving food security across the continent.Pape Abdoulaye Seck does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.