National Research Council of Sri Lanka : Research Grants, Guidelines & How to Apply.

National Research Council of Sri Lanka :

Research Grants, Guidelines & How to Apply

Global Competitiveness Index 2014/15Sri Lanka ranked 73 out of 144 countries

Sri Lanka Ranked 46/144

Funding for Research

Funding Research

(1) Entitlement funding/ non-competitive funding

(2) Competitive Funding

(3) Foreign Funding

About NRCFounded in 1999

Formally established in 2007, as a special agency by H. E. the President of Sri Lanka by powers vested in him by Article 33

Presently the NRC is under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research

To assist the government to plan, coordinate and facilitate Research and Development in Science and Technology so as to build a vibrant national scientific and technological community.

Functions of the NRC

The main functions of the NRC are to call, assess and fund research proposals and to develop systems of national recognition and awards for successful research and innovations by Sri Lankan scientists.

Functions of the NRCFunctions of the NRC

15 Scientists representing different disciplines, and from different geographical locations

1 Eminent persons from the private sector

NRC secretariat supported by a small staff

Functions of the NRC

Programmes

In order to achieve its objectives the NRC has the following Programmes:

1. Investigator Driven Research Grant Programme (since 1999)

2. Private-Public Partnership Programme (since 2012) 3. Target Oriented Multidisciplinary Research Programme (since 2013)

4. Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications (since 2001)

5. Other programmes : Outreach Programmes

: Public Awareness Programme

Investigator Driven Research Grant Programme

9

2010 2011 2012 2013 20140%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

VALUE OF RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED 2010-2014

1 - MEDICAL SCIENCES / FOOD & NUTRITION

2 - AGRICULTURE / PLANTATIONS / LIVESTOCK & FISHERIES

3 - ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY / INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY / PHYSICAL SCIENCES & ELECTRONICS

4 - ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT / GEO SCIENCES / CHEMICAL SCIENCES / OTHERS

Rs. Mn. 209.35(51 Projects)

Rs. Mn. 215.61(58 Projects)

Rs. Mn. 208.57(44 Projects)

Rs. Mn. 298.01(29 Projects)

Rs. Mn. 60.90(19 Projects)

Investigator Driven Research Grant Programme (since 1999)

To facilitate research by awarding grants to individual scientists on a competitive basis which will contributed towards enhancing scientific knowledge

Fund innovative projects with a relevance to national development and S & T capacity strengthening.

Only a few proposals now request funds for major equipment, indicates that most laboratories are now reasonably well equipped. 2015

Output : Journal Publications in SICE IF ≥ 1Outcome : Knowledge creation 10

Advertise in Dec/Jan by newspaper advertisement, circulating to R & D institutes and on NRC web-site

P.I. should be from a Public InstituteMinimum qualification M.Phil.Supports Postdoctoral fellowships Funding for equipment/consumable/travel/

publication cost and allowance for RAEquipment remains the property of the NRC

Investigator Driven Research Grants Programme (I/D)

There is only one set of application formsA signed declaration from the Head of the

InstitutionThree set of completed application with soft copy

should reach us on or before the deadline. (Feb.)Grant is for a period of 1 – 3 yearsAll financial transaction should follow N.P. A.

GuidelinesNRC should be acknowledged in all publication

that arise from this research

Investigator Driven Research Grants Programme (I/D)

Grant Application Form

Application

A. Proposal Summary

B. Admin. Information

C. Scientific Information

D. Financial Information

Notes

Eligible Institutes

Guideline

Investigator Driven Research Grants Programme (I/D)

Section A – Proposal Summary

- Title of Project/ Abbr. Title / Keywords/ Duration / Starting Date/ Grant Type

- Principal Investigator’s: Information →Name, Address, Position, Function, age, academic qualifications, 5 key publications, Postgraduate students supervised, sabbatical leave, C.V.

- Names of co-investigator/s, Research Partners Est.

- Summary of the financial support requested

Section B - Administrative Information

– Has this/similar proposal been funded by any other funding organization

– Any restriction on dissemination of results (3% royalty claim)–Declaration by the Head of Organization

-Present state of knowledge - List of cited references- Define the research problem

-Objectives ( Specific /Realistic /Time bound)-Scientific hypothesis( research question to be tested)-Your experience in the proposed research area- Significance of the research(any step forward in the field )

-C.8 Description of the Proposed Research Title/Proposal summary/Details description of research

(methodology, experiment designs, sample size, sample collection .……, data analysis Etc.)

- Duration/Action plan/Expected output/Expected outcomes

Section C – Scientific Information

Section D – Financial Information

-Budget - Major equipment(>500,000/= per item) - Minor equipment(<500,000/= per item) - Consumables - Allowance for RA (only for 24 months) - Travel (local only )

-Publication cost ( upto 250,000/= )

Major Equipment : Justification/Competence/ Tech. Specifications/Quotation –CIF + 25% taxes

-List of major equipment presently available

Standard Procedure for ID Grant Program

Call for grant proposals for upcoming year

Applications close

Application directed to the relevant Panel of Council Members for selection of evaluators

Panel 3 Engineering, Electronic, Physical Sciences, ICT and Computer Sciences

Panel 1 Medical Sciences, Food and Nutrition

Panel 2 Agriculture, Plantation, Veterinary, Livestock and Fisheries

Panel 4 Ecology & Environment, Natural Resources, Water management, GIS Chemical Sciences & others

Evaluation by appropriate Evaluators*

Post-evaluation screening by relevant group of Council Members

Final screening by the Council

Grant Awarded Grant not awarded

Performance of research is evaluated by Performance Evaluation Committee annually and at the end of the grant period

Annual Report Final Report

Decision given by the Council

Decision given by the Council

Continue grant Close grant

PI informed based on performance A - Excellent B - Good C – Unsatisfactory* D – Poor*

Private-Public Partnership Programme (since 2012)

To promote and facilitate partnerships between Scientists in the Public R & D Institutions / Universities, with the Private Sector.

Focusing on demand driven researchThese projects clearly identify the research areas to

be addressed with commercial potential.It could be a innovative product /process /service

/value addtion/technology transferSharing of facilities, human resources, cost and

knowledge with private sectorTranslation of public research knowledge to private

sector usage 23

Advertise annually Dec./Jan. Applications close in April, takes a longer time to

finalize a grantNRC matches the funds put up by the private sector

for the project. Tax benefits, to the private sector on R & D

expenditureThere will be a 3% royalty fee on product sales Output- Product/Process/Service

Private-Public Partnership Programme (since 2012)

Same mode of advertising Jan. to April Expression of Interest – E.o.I. Information of Partners/R & D Activity/Funding/Declaration

PPP Detailed Application A. Proposal Summary – Public/Research & Private/Industrial Partner

B. Commercial Information- Present markets/targets

C. Scientific Information D. Financial Information – Contribution separately

E. Administrative Information – Non-disclosure agreements, other funding sources, dissemination of research results,

Private-Public Partnership Programme (since 2012)

Standard Procedure for PPP Grant Program

Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) for upcoming year

Screening of the EoI by Council Members

Call for detailed proposals of selected EoI

Evaluation of detailed proposals by Council nominated evaluators

Meeting with Selected Private–Public Partners

Grant awarded Grant not awarded

6 month Reviews by Council appointed reviewers

Final Review by Council appointed reviewers

Meeting with Selected EoI Applicants

Ongoing projects: Walla Patta Resin ProductionManufacture of respiratory care products Development of repellent Investigation the effects of a water purification

system in Vavuniya. Developing a roofing sheets

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Private-Public Partnership Programme (since 2012)

Target Oriented Multidisciplinary Research Programme (since 2013)

To have a multidisciplinary approach to address a critical national issue in order to find a viable solution

Research Area : Ten focus areas have already been identified,where immediate R & D interventions are needed.

“National R & D Investment Framework for 2015-2020” www.nastec.lk

Grants up to Rs 50 million each. Awarded for a period of five-years.Clearly identify the problem to be solved or targets to

be achieved 28

Need to identify the pathway for the uptake of research findings and the agencies responsible

Tangible outcome at the end of the grant period is expected

A multi-sectoral and multi-centre approach in achieving the goals

There is Principal Investigator and Deputy Principal Investigator

Appointing of a Project Monitoring Consultant to monitor and evaluate grant activities

Target Oriented Multidisciplinary Research Programme (since 2013)

Target Oriented Multidisciplinary Research Programme (since 2013)

Same mode of advertising Pre-proposal Proposed project, objective, composition of the research team, budget, resources availableComprehensive Proposal Background Objectives

MethodologyBudget – Five years Action Plan – Objective/Activities on a annual basisResearch Team Deliverable 30

Call for Pre- Proposals

Applications for pre-proposals close

Screening of Pre-proposals by the Council

Rejected Short-listed for further evaluation

Short-listed applicants invited for discussion with NRC on procedure for submitting detailed proposals and evaluation

Evaluation of detailed proposals after presentation by applicants

Grant awarded Grant not awarded

Monitoring and Evaluation of performance by the Project Monitoring Consultant

After 6 months Annual Final

Standard Procedure for TO Grant Program

Target Oriented Multidisciplinary Research Programme

Five projects funded for 2014/2015 Improving dairy industry to achieve self sufficiency in

milk Developing a polyvalent anti-venom for snake bite Community mobilization and integrated vector

management for control of dengue Interdisciplinary study on chronic kidney disease of

uncertain etiology (CKDu) in the north central region Ensuring food security through developing climate

smart agriculture techniques

32

Research PlanFocus on a research idea

WHAT is the research problem ? WHAT do you intend to do ? WILL it fill gaps of knowledge ? WHY is this work important – society or industry ? WHETHER this work has already been done ? WHETHER you have the skill and knowledge to do it ? WHAT resources you need, is it cost effective ? HOW much of time will it take, can achieve the targets in time ? WHAT will be the output and outcome ?

Keep in mind that the proposals are evaluated by experts in your field, so be specific at all time.

Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications (since 2001)

It is a Presidential Directive, and one of our mandates, to develop a system of national recognition and award for scientific research.

This is based on publications in peer-reviewed, indexed journals with a Sri Lankan institution affiliation

This programme started in 2001 has encoraged scientist to publish in indexed journals

From 1991 to 2012 there has been a three-fold increase in indexed scientific publications.

The awards for 2013 will be held in November 2015. 34

President’s Awards for Scientific Publication selection criteria

1) A publication in the top 10% of Science Citation Index Expanded journals, ranked on their Impact Factor (≥ 1) under each journal category based on SCI categorization of journals

OR

2) Two or more publications in Science Citation Index Expanded journals with an Impact Factor of 1 or more.

Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications (since 2001)

Outreach Programs of 2014 Deployment of “Vidusayura” ship stimulator at Ocean

University – virtual environment for maritime education for mariners.

Launch of webiste for railway commuters to retrieve the real time information of the railway tarffic in southern railway line. www.slrail.lk

Public awareness programme on Thalassemia- educating school children

Awarness programme to doctors and health officials on Rickettsial infections in central provinces : with special references on species identification, diagnosis, transmission

36

Other Programmes

Other ProgrammesOutreach Programs for 2015

1st Quarter Programme : How to increase the yield in traditional and improved rice varieties by using bacterial inoculum.

2nd Quarter Programme : Prevention of child obesity and enhance the immunity by using porridge made out of traditional rice varieties.

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Our Strength ……………………..

Our Scientists……..

Capital Allocation vs Expenses (2010-2015)

39

Recurrent Allocation vs Expenses (2010-2015)

40

Facts... 16 Council Member who are eminent scientists

and from private sector

Capital funds allocated by the Treasury for 2014 was Rs. 240 million of which >98% was allocated for funding.

The recurrent budget for 2014 was Rs. 14.8 million, and 99% was utilized.

A aprroved cadre of 16 with 14 employed41

Facts... Performance Review Report by NASTEC for 2011-

2013, the overall performance of the NRC was judged as “Strong”.

The Auditor General’s Report for 2013 has given the final opinion on the NRC as “True and Fair”.

42

Our Strength ……………………..

Our Scientists……..

• Middle income trap• World index• S& T spending

Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications (since 2001)

45

Outputs of Completed Grants up to 2013

Year

Activity

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

                 No. of Research Grant Applications received 47 74 A A 199 152 169

No. accepted for funding

25 43 A A 79 61 28

Funds released from Treasury (Rs. Millions) B B 72.00 60.00 200.00 220.94 183.00

No. of Grants awarded

14* 5* 24 19 51 58 41

Outputs of Completed Grants up to 2013

OUTPUTS FROM COMPLETED PROJECTS

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

No. of Projects Completed 16 7 5 12 17

No. of SCI Publications 10 4 1 6 7

No. of SCI Publications (Pending) -

3 -

- 3

No. of Other International Publications 8 10 8 9 9

No. of Local Publications8 4

-

2 1

No. of International Conferences 28 5 6 12 22

No. of Local Conferences 56 21 9 36 22

Others (Newspaper articles, Book chapters etc.) 6 3 6 7 3

No. of Patents (Obtained & Pending)2

-

1 1 2

No. of postgraduate degrees completed

PhD s2 1

-

1 - 2

M Phil s 1 2 3 5 4

No. of Research with Utilization 7 3 3 5 3

(e) OUTPUTS UPTO 2014 - Completed Grants (Data as at 31-12-2014)

Activity Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

47 74 A A 199 152 169 150

25 43 A A 79 61 28 21

B B 72.00 60.00 200.00 220.94 183.00 82.64

14* 5* 24 19 51 58 41 23

- - 7 7 64 66 36 12

0 1 16 16 7 5 12 17

PhD s- - - - - - 1 2

M Phil s- - - - - - 4 4

PhD s- - 3 2 1 - - 3

M Phil s- - 3 1 2 3 1 -

- 2 14 10 4 1 6 7

- - - - 3 - - 3

- - 12 8 10 8 9 9

- - 5 8 4 - 2 1

- - 16 28 5 6 12 22

- - 40 56 21 9 36 22

- - 1 6 3 6 7 3

- - 1 2 - 1 1 2

- 1 5 7 3 3 5 3

* Funds Transferred from closed grantsA Not advertised for grants as there was a backlog of applicationsB Treasury did not release funding due to the situation in the country

No. of Research with Utilization

No. of completed (non NRC funded)

No. of SCI Publications

No. of SCI Publications (Pending)

No. of Other International Publications

No. of Local Publications

No. of International Conferences

No. of Local Conferences

Others (Newspaper articles, Book chapters etc.)

No. of Patents (Obtained & Pending)

OUTPUTS FROM COMPLETED PROJECTS

No. of completed (NRC funded)

No. of Projects Completed

No. of Research Grant Applications received

No. accepted for funding

Funds released from Treasury (Rs. Millions)

No. of Grants awarded

No. of PhD/M Phil fellowships given by NRC