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RESEARCH PLAN ASSESSMENT: THE RAW MATERIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS
EXPERIENCE
PROTOCOLS
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I feel highly delighted to be
invited to this seminar/workshop on optimizing skill in project
proposal writing organized by NIRPD |
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I am here representing a
colleague Dr (Mrs) Gloria Elemo who was the Deputy Director in
charge of research evaluation and monitoring division (REM) of RMRDC
for many years. |
I will therefore use this opportunity of presenting this paper on research plan
assessment, the RMRDC experience to also briefly present to you the Mandate and
Modality for assessing R & D funds from the council.
The RMRDC was
established vide decree 39 of 1987 with the mandate of stimulating industrial
growth through the development of locally sourced raw materials as industrial
input.
RMRDC since its
inception, embarked on programs/project to achieve its mandate, chief of which
is the National R & D program which was started in 1990.
Mandate of RMRDC
The RMRDC was established vide decree 39 of 1987 with the mandate of
stimulating industrial growth through the development of locally sourced raw
materials as industrial input.
RMRDC since its
inception, embarked on programs/project to achieve its mandate, chief of which
is the National R & D program which was started in 1990.
National R & D Program
The program is aimed at promoting the development of local raw materials and
industrial technology especially indigenous technology, by supporting major R &
D activities in Research Institutes (RIs) Universities, Polytechnics, Private
and public R & D outfits
Through the program,
RMRDC brings:
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The resources of the
scientific and technical community in both public and private sector
R & D laboratories to bear on national problems of development
and utilization of local raw materials |
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Build local capabilities and
capacities for sustainable industrialization through market driven R
& D |
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Value addition to primary raw
materials to meet industrial specifications |
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Generally stimulate increased
production |
RMRDC RESEARCH AREAS
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Agricultural raw materials
development and utilization. |
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Mineral raw material
development and utilization |
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New and advanced material
development and utilization (with special interest in Biotechnology) |
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Petrochemicals |
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Information technology |
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Bio fuels-ethanol and
Bio-diesel production (but not nuclear energy) |
Specifically in
Chemical and pharmaceutical sector
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Production of fine chemicals
such as phenolphthalein, benzophenone, Naphtha… etc that is
important in the pharmaceutical industry. |
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Production of alkyd resins
from local oils |
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Development of industrial raw
materials such as colorants for both food and pharmaceuticals,
pigments and fragrances from spices, flowers, tubers etc |
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Utilization of cattle bones to
produce edible gelatin etc |
BIOTECHNOLOGY
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production of industrial enzymes using microbes and
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Production of vaccines, antibodies and other
metabolites
GUIDELINES FOR
SUBMISSION OF R&D PROPOSALS (RMRDC)
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Call for proposal and
identical R&D problems are published in the national news papers |
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The program is opened to
researchers in both public and private laboratories |
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Multi-disciplinary research
teams preferred to individual researchers but both are welcome |
FORMAT FOR
APPLICATION
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Executive summary |
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Introduction |
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Objective/justification-
research problems, targets etc |
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Budgets linked to specific
phases: broken into capital recurrent, materials, equipment,
consumables etc |
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miscellaneous expenses |
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printing and photocopy,
equipment repairs etc |
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Literature review |
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Methodology |
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Facilities for project |
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Product specification/project
result |
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Accompanying documents:
institutional support, letter of reference, curriculum vitae etc |
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Submission of 10 copies of the
proposal |
ASSESSMENT OF
PROPOSALS
Generally, research proposals could be assessed using a number of different
criteria. Such criteria can be used not only by the researchers proposing a
project to assess its worth and determine if it is likely to be an effective
research program, but also by the funding organization to allocate funds.
Key criteria in proposal
assessment could include:
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How well the project meets the
strategic plans aspirations |
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How well it meets the
industries need for R & D |
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Potential benefits from the
R&D |
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Whether it is the most
effective and productive way of addressing the problem |
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The “soundness” of the science |
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The capabilities of the
researcher and the research provider |
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Availability of other
appropriate funds and commitment from these providers |
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Opportunities for leverage and
collaboration. |
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Avoidance of repetition and
duplication and how well the researcher is up to date (local and
international) in related field |
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Intellectual property issues
including freedom to operate |
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Information transfer and
adoption issues being addressed |
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Industry/government priorities
and policies and strategic goals addressed and whether the proposal
as well as the individual researcher is well focused and likely to
succeed. |
RMRDC ASSESSMENT
The assessment is
rigorous and thorough to ensue those projects to be sponsored are technically
feasible and have potentials for commercialization.
The council ensures before funding that the
Raw materials
Infrastructural facilities
Relevant man power are on ground to ensure that good results will be
achieved within specified timeframe
Prominent among
criteria used for assessment:
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NATIONAL IMPORTANCE |
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RELEVANCE TO RMRDC’S MANDATE |
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ARTICULATION OF PROJECT
(focus, justification, clarity etc) |
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TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY |
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CAPABILITIES OF RESEARCHER(S)
(track records) |
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AVAILABLE FACILITIES. |
STEPS
PRELIMINARY REVIEW
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the division upon receiving the proposals, go through them properly to ensure
that they follow the format and generally fulfill all conditions earlier
enumerated.
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send copies of the proposal to peer reviewers to score, rate and select in order
of
merit in case
of multiple proposals on same project.
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
(IN-HOUSE)
Using in-house professionals who are experts based on their professional
qualifications and experiences to further assess and short list the proposal
based on the criteria (6) earlier listed.
DEFENCE PANEL
The panel comprised of experts from the academia and the user industry is
constituted to interview the short listed proponent. The issue of soundness of
the science, the commercial feasibility, the budget, and the set
target/milestones are carefully examined during the interview
COUNCILS MANAGEMENT
Based on the recommendations of the defense panel, the council’s management
selects project for funding.
BOARD OF GOVERING
COUNCIL/FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The board of governing council usually approves council management
recommendation for funding the project. When such boards are not in place, the
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology performs similar functions.
Mode of release of
funds and monitoring of approved R&D projects
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Submission of letter of
consent
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Funds released in installment
according to agreed guidelines as follows: |
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submission of quarterly reports and accounting report
- verification of
the report by a monitoring committee
- final release of
funds based on final inspection, submission of final report and
product
- industrial test of
the products
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