1. Integration of Nuclear Science and Technology Programme
This programme entails a regular review of the Country Program Framework regarding the programming of technical cooperation between Kenya and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Part of the programme involves the coordination of IAEA funded activities in the country. Kenyan institutions cooperate with the Agency on a number of contracts and an agreement.

2. Research Clearance/Authorization Programme
The objective of this programme is to ensure that the proposed research activities do not infringe on the national security, cultural heritage and other international and national treaties and agreements in, among others, the field of environmental conservation. Research clearance and authorization is undertaken by Research Division. The Division receives documents and processes the applications for issuance of Research Permits to successful applicants.

Within the Program has been the effort to enhanceResearch Registry.This entails the capture and maintenance of data on clearance of research, research grant applications and funded research/innovation activities. The registry is intended to be a searchable database available to both local and international collaborators and researchers.

3. Management of the ST&I Fund
The Council has restructured its Research Grant Programme to establish a Foundation for a revolving and sustainable source of income for financing of research. Research activities funded under this arrangement are usually monitored by the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Division.  At some stage, the Unit carries out sensitization workshops to popularize ST&I Grant in all provinces and guide researchers on the best practice for writing proposals and how to successfully implement projects funded under ST&I Grant.

The sensitization on Science, Technology and Innovation Fund activities are undertaken through, among others, field seminars and talks to institutions, the annual national conference and exhibition for the dissemination of research results and innovations in the country.

4. Space and Environmental Science Activities
The activities entail the preparation and coordination of African Resource environment and Management Satellite Constellation (ARMC) - a collaboration between the Governments of Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with the objective of establishing an African Satellite. Also, is the championing, in collaboration with Ministry of State for Defence, the establishment of National Space Agency (NSA).

5. Science and Technology Databases, Information Documentation and Dissemination– involve the promotion of the development of databases, the documentation and dissemination services for scientific and technological information to ensure sustainable growth and application of sciences and technology information. Among some of the sub-programmes include;

a) . Compilation of a database on technical capacity and capability for health research

b). Knowledge Sharing Platform- comprising of an information management system to enable researchers, policy makers, students, members of the  public and any other interested parties to access information about on-going research, approved proposals, reports of concluded studies and funding. For the health sector, this is done by the schedule in collaboration with the Consortium for National Health Research (CNHR).

6. Promotion of Awareness, Collaboration and Partnerships in Science, Technology and Innovation

a). The Council coordinates the Square Kilometre Array African Bid (SKA) in Kenya. SKA  The SKA is a global collaborative effort to create the most  advanced radio astronomy station at one location with several sites providing a sensitivity of 10,000 times over any other equipment that so far exist. Africa and Australia are in the bid and an announcement of the location will be made later this year.

b). Promotion of ICT integration in development

c). National Biotechnology Awareness (BioAWARE) Initiative - National Biotechnology Awareness creation strategy is an initiative that promotes access to accurate, evidence-based biotechnology information with the aim of achieving a well-informed and knowledgeable society that can make informed decisions on the use of biotechnology and its products through awareness creation process. The government recognizes the advances in biotechnology and its contribution to improved health, increased yield in agriculture, safe environment, alternative energy source and industrial growth but the is need to communicate on the benefits and challenges of modern biotechnology. The biotechnology information gap results from:

d). Nurturing ICT Entrepreneurship - The Entrepreneurship Programme aims at identifying and supporting the development of local promising ICT ideas/innovations into globally competitive businesses in all areas including: software and hardware products; ICT enabled Services and processes

e). International infrasound and hydro-acoustic monitoring -This involves coordination of the management of international infrasound and hydro-acousticmonitoring activities of theComprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization in Kenya.

f ). The Council’sNational and Regional Round tables on STI aims at providing a platformfor sharing views, information, and analyses related to harnessing science and technology for sustainable development. Issues discussed upon which reports are prepared and analysed include legal and regulatory frameworks, public-private cooperation, Skills and manpower and technologies. This platform is a source of information that helps identify issues to address and the likely collaborators/partners locally and internationally.

7. Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity Development Programme – that entails:

a). ST&I skills assessment and Competence Audit-is being undertaken to generate advise on Scientific and technical manpower requirements and availability.

b). Development of a policy on access and participation of youth, gender variation and vulnerable groups in ST&I.

c). Establishment of Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) National Focal Point –to ensure compliance by Kenya to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. The Convention is on the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition and retention of microbial or other biological agents or toxins, in types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes.

d). ICT Capacity Building - aims to catalyse the development of ICT capacity focusing on human resources, infrastructure and in the country through a collaborative public-private sector engagement aimed at encouraging and promoting emerging sectors of the industry and entrepreneurship, to stimulate broad-based industry growth, and to promote international competitiveness. Within this programme, NCST seeks to work collaboratively and in partnership with private, governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure adequate capacity focusing on:

1. Provision of advice on the required enabling environment for ICT research, development and integration;
2. Development of ICT-for-development strategies including e-strategies and the promotion of the strategies’ implementation;
3. Advising on human resource development, human capital requirements across the country for industry workforce in the short-, medium- and long-term;
4. Promoting ICT literacy, skills and competencies development among school going children, the workforce and the general public; and
   5. Enhancement of literacy, skills and competencies of professionals and of ICT managers in ICT among for application in various areas of application

e). The assessment of Bioinformatics Capacities and Capabilities – throughbaseline survey targeting performance management of bioinformatics, an interdisciplinary field that applies the techniques of computer science, applied mathematics and statistics for solutions to health, agriculture, environment, energy problems amongst others.

f ). The development of policies and bills on various areas of science, technology and innovation to facilitate the proper management of the sciences and their integration in national development. Lately, NCST has, in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders prepared draft policies and bills on:

i). Bioscience  - that addresses the key issues on Biological diversity threats; sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation  of biological and genetic resources for fair and equitable sharing of benefits accrued from their  use; open access to database and inventory on national biological and genetic resources with emphasis on knowledge-based bio-economy for social economic growth and global competitiveness; advocates for  safe, secure and ethical research and development of the biological resources.