Opening Date:            11^th September 2023

Closing Date:              10^th October 2023

BACKGROUND

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of the Republic of Zambia and Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Ghana are participating in the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub Saharan Africa (SGCI). The SGCI seeks to strengthen the capacities of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) in supporting research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to socio-economic development of the countries. The Initiative is jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the UK´s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The SGCI works through Cooperating Technical Agencies (CTAs), among them being the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS). The ACTS is an intergovernmental research think tank focused on strengthening the capacity of African countries to harness application of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa.

In contributing to national research systems in the two countries, NSTC and MESTI are partnering to jointly manage a Grant from IDRC/FCDO, being disbursed by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)-led Consortium of collaborating Technical Agencies (CTAs) of the SGCI. The grant will support applied research projects in Ghana and Zambia and will encourage the participation of female researchers.

The broad thematic area of focus for this Bilateral Joint Call is Food Production and Processing / Agro-processing specifically focussing on enhancing the Tomatoe, Pineapple and Mango value chains in Ghana and Zambia. The Call will support research projects addressing one or more facets of food production and processing /Agro processing such as processing, preservation, storage, value addition and other post-harvest management of tomatoes, pineapples and mangoes.

RATIONALE OF THE BILATERAL COLLABORATIVE CALL 

Sustainable Development Goal No.2 envisages to achieve food security through improved nutrition and promotion of sustainable agriculture. It further looks to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, through secure and equal access to land, productive resources and financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition. The goal also seeks to ensure sustainable food production systems through implementation of resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production that help maintain ecosystems.

In line with these global aspirations, Zambia in its National Agriculture Policy 2012-2023 has a vision to develop a competitive and diversified agricultural sector driven by equitable and sustainable agricultural development through promoting sustainable increase in agricultural productivity of major crops with comparative advantage. Similarly, Ghana in its Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Development Strategy (AAGDS) has an objective of accelerating agricultural growth in order to enable it contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Zambia and Ghana are endowed with a variety of agricultural produce, which sometimes goes to waste due to limited food conservation and value addition processes. Investing in applied research in food processing and value addition offers economic, social and environmental benefits. Adding value to agricultural products contributes to sustainable development, poverty reduction and improved food security while promoting innovation and economic development in the food sector. To contribute towards efforts to enhance value addition in food production in the two countries, NSTC and MESTI seek to fund collaborative research projects in the area of Food production and processing / Agro processing, specifically focussing onenhancing the Tomatoe, Pineapple and Mango value chains.

Processing tomatoes, pineapples and Mangoes will transform these raw agricultural products into high value products that would create new market opportunities and result in both economic and social benefits. It can contribute to food security by improving the shelf life and reducing post-harvest losses. Value addition to tomatoes, pineapples and mangoes can promote the coordination and integration of various players along the value chain and enable the two countries to diversify their export portfolios.

The Bilateral Collaborative Call aims at fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two countries, with the view of promoting value addition to fruits and vegetables produced in the two countries, to increase industry competitiveness, job creation and reduce poverty. The specific objectives are to:

• contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable food processing/agroprocessing products, technologies, and practices;
• address key challenges and opportunities in food processing/agroprocessing, particularly in the tomato, pineapple and mango value chains;
• promote collaborative research, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and networking among researchers in the two countries.

ELIGIBILITY

• This Call is open to Researchers in Public and private science and technology Research and Development (R&D) Institutions/Centres and Institutions of Higher Learning in Ghana and Zambia. Institutions/centres in Zambia must be registered with NSTC. Consortia of female researchers are encouraged to apply;
• Each research proposal must have two research teams in both countries, led by Principal Investigators based in Ghana and Zambia. The Principal Investigators shall be the main applicants and will bear the overall responsibility for the project including its technical and administrative co-ordination as well as the timely delivery of scientific and financial reports.
• Principal Investigators must hold a PhD degree, preferably in a related field of the proposed thematic area, must demonstrate previous research in the area of the proposed work and must have the ability to provide mentorship to research teams;
• The research team must have significant capacity, capability and leadership in the proposed field and must include early career researchers;
• The projects must have a Private Sector partner(s) in both countries and a collaboration confirmation letter from these partners must be submitted;
• Applications must be supported with a letter from the host institutions in Ghana and Zambia. Proposals without institutional letters of support will not be considered.

Note: Applicants have the responsibility to find research partners in the collaborating country.

SCOPE OF FUNDING  

i.     The maximum funding amount per research project is 550,000.00 Ghana Cedis for the research team in Ghana and not exceeding ZMW800,000.00 for the research team in Zambia.

1. Submission of Applications
   1. In Ghana:
2. Application must be uploaded to https://grants.mesti.gov.gh/

• In Zambia:
• Application must be through the NSTC Online Grants Management System (OGMS) at nstcms.nstc.org.zm. Applications that are not submitted via the online application system shall not be accepted.

A guide on how to use the OGMS is available on the NSTC website www.nstc.org.zm.

• All attachments uploaded on the Online Grants Management System must be in PDF format.

• The deadline for submission of proposals is 10^th October, 2023. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

CONTACT DETAILS:

For further information and inquiries, contact

In Ghana:

Wilfred Edem Dennis

Telephone: +233 243274389

Principal Research Officer (MESTI)

E-mail: wilfred.dennis@mesti.gov.gh

Mr. Cephas Adjei Mensah

Director, Research, Statistics and Information Management and HORC (MESTI)

Telephone: +233 244888566

E-mail: cephas.mensah@mesti.gov.gh

In Zambia:

Phica N. Jalabani

Telephone: +260-211-255854

E-mail: pnjalabani@nstc.org.zm

Atridah Mulonga

Telephone: +260-211-255854

E-mail: amulonga@nstc.org.zm

For more details, find the full call in the attachment Above.

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APPLICATION PERIOD: 4^TH SEPTEMBER 2023 – 13^TH OCTOBER 2023

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 13^TH OCTOBER 2023 at 23:59Hrs

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Namibia and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Zambia, within the framework of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), invites interested researchers from Namibia and Zambia to respond to this Call.

Strategic thematic area: Climate-smart Agriculture

Focus Area: Agriculture with focus on Climate-smart agriculture technologies that are to provide a means to respond to the challenges posed by climate change.

Call Objective: The objective of the call is to minimize the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector throughutilizing climate smart technologies and techniques that will enhance market access for agricultural producers.

Project Location: Namibia and Zambia  

TO APPLY: visit www.ncrst.na and www.nstcms.nstc.org.zm for detailed Call Guidelines and online application.

For more information, please contact:

Namibia:             Oswald Mughongora,     Telephone: +264 61 431 7000;    E-mail: omughongora@ncrst.na

Zambia:                Phica N. Jalabani,             Telephone: +260-211-255854;     E-mail:pnjalabani@nstc.org.zm

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Introduction to writing and publishing your research

A critically important part of any research project is telling others about what your research found.  On 5th September 2023, 11–12 AM Central Africa Time, Springer Nature, in partnership with the National Science and Technology Council of Zambia, is hosting a webinar on scientific and scholarly publishing for Zambian researchers.

In this webinar, we’ll introduce you to the fundamentals of publishing your research results, from understanding the structure of a typical research paper to deciding where to submit it. We’ll explain the peer review process and the procedures that will lead to your paper being published.  And we’ll describe the training resources that are available to you through Nature Masterclasses Online to learn more about how to write clear and impactful research papers and to ensure that your research is read by those who need to hear about it.

To attend the webinar, please register here: https://forms.gle/Ao2CUiMsaqk5dfXw9  

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1.0       BACKGROUND

The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) of the Republic of Malawi, the National Science and Technology Council of Zambia (NSTC) and the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) are participating in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) Phase II-plus. During this phase, NCST, NSTC and RCZ are jointly administering a Grant aimed at managing collaborative research calls in the application of artificial intelligence in agricultural and health service delivery in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Initiative is funded by the African Centre for Technology Studies.

Under this collaborative agreement, NCST, NSTC and RCZ purpose to strengthen research collaborations between researchers in the three countries on application of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture and delivery of health services. It is the vision of this joint collaboration to strengthen the sustainability of health and agricultural systems through artificial intelligence in pursuance of sustainable economies and societies.

2.0       RATIONALE AND SCOPE OF THE JOINT CALL

In a bid to promote the utilisation of emerging technologies in the socio-economic development of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe there is need to leverage these technologies on our existing capacities so as to improve livelihoods. Research collaborations on artificial intelligence in health and agriculture can drive innovation, solve real-world challenges, and bridge the gap between research and implementation. In that regard, the contribution of artificial intelligence in generating sectoral and organizational efficacies and efficiencies is key to developing nations which seek immediate solutions their health and agriculture systems. By bringing together experts from various national boundaries, diverging fields and involving industry stakeholders from the three countries in the research process, it is envisaged that this programme can develop more effective and practical artificial intelligence based solutions that have the potential to transform the health and agriculture sectors of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

3.0       THEMATIC FOCUS

Researchers in the area of artificial intelligence and machine learning directed to health and agriculture in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe will collaborate to prepare trilateral research proposals focusing on either artificial intelligence application in health systems and agriculture. Project proposals submitted under this call may include, but are not limited to, the following research areas:

• Value addition and precision farming;
• Yield production improvements;
• Nutrition Research;
• Microbial Research;
• Medical imaging and diagnostics;
• Precision medicine;
• Healthcare operations and management; and
• Drug discovery and development.

4.0     EXPECTED OUTCOMES

It is expected that interventions of the projects will improve the utilization of emergent technologies in the above stated areas of health and agriculture sector of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Projects should also aim within their proposed duration to enhance the capacity of researchers and relevant sectors in the practicability of artificial intelligence.

5.0     FUNDING LEVEL

The budget limit for project activities in the proposal will be not more than the local equivalent of USD 45,000.00for the research team in Malawi and Zambia, while in Zimbabwe the budget limit for project activities will be USD 45,000.00. Budget modalities will include three separate budgets, one for each team representative of their respective countries. Collaborative research projects will be implemented for a period not exceeding nineteen months (19 months) from 1^st October 2023 to 31^st July, 2025. Permissible budget items include the following:

• Material costs, if they are directly linked to the research project, in particular material of enduring value, the cost of expendable items, field expenses, travel expenses or third party charges.
• Direct costs incurred through the use of research infrastructure linked to the research.
• Costs of organizing conferences and workshops in connection with the funded research.
• Costs of national and international cooperation and networking activities directly associated with the funded research.

The mode of application and submission of the full application package (i.e with all the required attachments) shall primarily be through the web-based online grants management system of both NCST at www.grants.ncst.mw; RCZ at https://rczgrants.org/ and NSTC at https://nstcms.nstc.org.zm/web/ . Application packages submitted via email will NOT be accepted under this Grant scheme.

Any enquiries from Malawi researchers should be directed to Mr Kondwani Gondwe at kgondwe@ncst.mw. Enquiries from Zimbabwe researchers should be sent to Ms Zolisa Gumede at zgumede@rcz.ac.zw .Enquiries from Zambia should be sent to Atridah Mulonga on srf@nstc.org.zm.

Call Closing Date: 28^th August, 2023

For more details, download the full call details below.

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GIZ: Think SADC – e-learning program for Agricultural Management of natural resources via climate-smart agricultural technologies in the context of climate change: TEAM3C project Invites you to the upcoming virtual stakeholder engagement see the invitation below for your attention. Follow the workshop link  STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP – 30 May 2023 (arc.agric.za) to learn more about the event and registration.

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Call Opening Date: 24^th May 2023

Call Closing Date: 24^th June 2023

1.0 BACKGROUND

The Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI) of the Republic of Mozambique and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) from the Republic of Zambia are science granting councils participating in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) for Sub Saharan Africa.

The SGCI seeks to strengthen the capacities of the participating SGCs in supporting research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to socio-economic development of the countries. The Initiative is jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (SIDA), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the UK´s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

In contributing to their national research systems, the SGCs (in the two countries) secured a Grant from the International Development Research Centre under the auspices of the SGCI which aims at supporting research projects in sustainable economies and societies.

2.0 RATIONALE AND SCOPE OF THE JOINT CALL

Sustainable development means that the needs of the present generation should be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Economies must be productive to meet the needs of the world’s growing population. Societies must be inclusive, providing opportunities for decent work for all, reducing inequalities and effectively eliminating poverty. In implementing sustainable development strategies, it is important to foster international cooperation among countries. In this context sustainable economies and societies: Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Renewable Energy was identified as research priority area to develop collaboration between Mozambique and Zambia.

To contribute towards efforts to enhance the implementation of sustainable economies and societies in the two countries, FNI and NSTC will fund collaborative research projects in this area. The objective of this Bilateral Joint Call is to generate critical knowledge that will help in strategic development and utilization of sustainable economies and societies to increase industry competitiveness, improve service delivery and reduce poverty.

3.0 THEMATIC FOCUS

The researchers in the two countries will collaborate to prepare joint research proposals in the priority area named below. The FNI and NSTC will, therefore, co-fund demand-led, collaborative research projects that address issues of relevance in the following priority areas in which research project proposals are invited;

a) Sustainable economies and societies: sustainable agriculture practices e.g. organic farming, green enterprises, crop rotation, increased crop diversity, integrated pest management (IPM), integration of livestock and crops, sustainable agroforestry practices, and precision farming),

b) Renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass energy etc)

APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY

The application guidelines and other requirements including eligibility criteria are downloadable from any of the following website and links;

www.fni.gov.mz/ http://gms.fni.gov.mz/sistemamonitoria/

5.0 SUBMISSION AND PROCESSING OF PROPOSALS

Submission of an application package should be in a form of electronic copy. The deadline for submission is 24^th June, 2023. Application package shall include full proposal specified herein; Principal Investigator’s covering letter; letter of support from the institution of the Principal Investigator; and CVs of the Principal Investigators. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. When the full application package is duly completed save the document as “last names of principal investigators–NSTC-FNI Call for Proposals 2023”. The electronic copy should be in PDF.

• The Joint full application package should be submitted electronically in the prescribed template to the following:

• Upload on FNI website for principal investigators from Mozambique, and Email to nstc@nstc.org.zm for principal investigators from Zambia.

• All applications will be reviewed based on their quality and merit. A full proposal template is downloadable below.

• All documents (full research proposal, CV, detailed budget, letters of support) have to be submitted in PDF.

• The review, selection of proposals and communication to applicants is expected to be done by 31 August 2023.

• All proposals will be received and processed in confidentiality with acknowledgment of intellectual property rights of the applicants.

• Decision of NSTC and FNI will be final.

6.0 ENQUIRIES

Any enquiries from researchers shall be directed as follows;

a) Enquiries from researchers in Zambia should be directed to Atridah Mulonga on amulonga@nstc.org.zm and Phica Jalabani on pnjalabani@nstc.org.zm (Telephone +260-211-255854).

b) Enquiries from researchers from Mozambique should be directed to Dirce Madeira on dirce.madeira@fni.gov.mz or dmadeiramac@gmail.com (Tel No. 258-845-633807) and Edson Faria on edson.faria@fni.gov.mz (Tel No. 258-844-122705)

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The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), gives annual Science and Technology (S&T) Merit Awards in the male and female scientists categories, to recognize their outstanding achievements and contributions in advancing the socio-economic development of the country through research and development in science and technology.

The NSTC is hereby inviting Zambian scientists/researchers, to enter the 2022 S&T Merit Awards. candidates are required to complete and submit the Individual S&T Merit Award Application Form, which can be accessed by following the link below:

https://nstc.org.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-Individual-ST-Merit-Award-Application-Form.doc

Applications should be submitted to zsc2022@nstc.org.zm by Friday 11^th November 2022.

For more information, visit the NSTC website or Facebook page. For inquiries, contact Ms. Nsama Mataka or Mr. Raphael Zimba on Tel: +260-211-255854, E-mail: nmataka@nstc.org.zm;  rkzimba@nstc.org.zm

NSTC – Committed to the promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation for improved quality of life in Zambia.

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Pre-Call Announcement: Initiation of Cooperation in the Area of Agriculture between Sub-Saharan African and German Researchers

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) invites interested scientists from all Sub-Saharan African countries and researchers at all universities and research institutes in Germany, explicitly including universities of applied sciences, to take part in a scientific exchange in the field of agricultural sciences with special emphasis on the sustainable intensification of agriculture. The invitation is issued in close cooperation with the Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI) of the Republic of Mozambique and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of the Republic of Zambia.

This initiative covers all (interdisciplinary) research questions that are primarily concerned with agriculture. Subject areas include (integrated) animal production and cropping systems, animal and plant breeding technologies, soil and plant microbiome interaction, abiotic and biotic plant stressors, digital methods in agriculture, livestock farming and animal disease control as well as socioeconomic aspects of agriculture.

Aim of the Initiative

The aim of the initiative is for participating researchers to identify joint interests in the area of agricultural research and initiate new collaborative ventures.

Structure of the Initiative

The initiative comprises three consecutive steps:

1. Identification of collaboration partners through previously submitted posters reflecting the researchers’ expertise, research interests and ideas for collaborative research projects;
2. the subsequent opportunity to submit DFG proposals to support the Initiation of International Collaborations;
3. a Status Workshop in Bonn/Germany to convene all researchers funded under this call.

Eligibility: Qualified researchers from all Sub-Saharan African countries and Germany are invited to take part in the initiative (as a rule they should hold a doctorate and have a track record in their respective research field). Applicants from German research institutions are required to fulfil the DFG eligibility requirements.

(1) Invitation to Submit Posters

Submitted posters should reflect the profile of the researcher as well as showing their expertise, experience and contact details. At the same time, the posters should highlight current research interests and ideas for joint research projects. Posters that show solely the results of previous research projects are out of scope and will not be considered. Posters must comply with the template provided below. Researchers are required to submit their posters in either English or French by 30 September 2022. The submission of posters is a prerequisite for participation in the subsequent call for proposals.

Only posters that comply with the eligibility requirements (i.e. the duty to cooperate in the case of participants from Germany) and the scope of the initiative will be accepted and uploaded to a poster platform. The posters will only be accessible to participating researchers and to the partnering funding agencies. When the poster platform goes live, participating researchers will be invited to view all posters, contact potential collaboration partners, develop joint research ideas and prepare a DFG proposal for the Initiation of International Collaboration.

(2) Call for the Initiation of International Collaboration

The call for the Initiation of International Collaboration serves to establish and facilitate collaborative relationships between researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany. For this purpose, three different modules are available: “Exploratory Workshops”, “Trips Abroad” and “Guest Visits”. In general, the DFG can only fund bilateral or multilateral Sub-Saharan African/German projects under this initiative. More details regarding the specifics of this call will be provided to the participants of the poster platform in October 2022. For further information on the programme and instructions for proposal preparation, please refer to the “Guidelines on Proposals for Grants to Support the Initiation of International Collaboration” (DFG form 1.813). Proposals must be submitted in English by 28 February 2023.

All proposals must include at least one applicant from Germany and one cooperation partner from Sub-Saharan Africa who have both previously submitted a poster. However, proposals can only be submitted by researchers from Germany. Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa act as cooperation partners and can also receive funding.

(3) Status Workshop

Approved travel funds from the funding for the Initiation of International Collaboration must be used to enable Sub-Saharan African project partners to participate in a Status Workshop in Bonn in the week of 8 to 12 April 2024. This workshop will be organised centrally by the DFG with the aim of assessing the need for a possible joint call for project proposals and collect lessons learnt regarding the framework within which such Sub-Saharan African/German collaborations can evolve.

Participation in the workshop will be limited to applicants from Germany and their cooperation partners from Sub-Saharan Africa with funding under the Initiation for International Collaboration.

Further Information

This call for proposals is also available in French:

• www.dfg.de/download/pdf/foerderung/internationales/ african_german_call_agriculture_fr.pdf

Poster template:

• www.dfg.de/download/pdf/foerderung/internationales/ african_german_call_agriculture_template_en.rtf

Platform for poster upload:

• https://events-dfg.aloom.de/african-german-scientific-exchange-sustainable-intensification-of-agriculture  

Guidelines on Proposals for Grants to Support the Initiation of International Collaboration with Proposal Preparation Instructions (DFG form 1.813):

• www.dfg.de/formulare/1_813 

Please note the DFG’s data protection notice on research funding, which can be viewed and downloaded at:

• www.dfg.de/privacy_policy

If necessary, please also forward this information to those individuals whose data will be processed by the DFG due to their involvement in your project.

For questions on this initiative and DFG collaboration with African countries, please contact:

• Franziska Meixner
  phone +49 228 885-2327
  franziska.meixner@dfg.de

For questions concerning DFG funding of projects in the field of agricultural sciences, please contact:

• Dr. Patricia Schmitz-Möller
  phone +49 228 885-2797
  patricia.schmitz-moeller@dfg.de

For questions concerning the Fundo Nacional de Investigação (FNI), please contact:

• Dirce Madeira
  dirce.madeira@mctestp.gov.mz
  dmadeiramac@gmail.com

For questions concerning the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), please contact:

• Nsama Mataka
  nmataka@nstc.org.zm

Note:

This text is available at
www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/announcements_proposals/2022/info_wissenschaft_22_54 
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item.

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Call Opening Date:      20^th July, 2022

Call Closing Date:        16^th September, 2022

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) administers the Science and Technology Innovation Youth Fund (STIYF). The Fund is implemented by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The Fund is aimed at assisting Zambian youths to develop scientific and/or technological innovations, with specific focus on innovations that are relevant to the creation of wealth and employment.

The NSTC is calling for project proposals on scientific and/or technological innovations for funding under the 2022-2023 STIYF funding cycle.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. Only scientific and/or technological innovations qualify for the Fund.

For the purpose of this Fund, an innovation is “a new or adapted idea, process, product or service that improves a way of doing something and can be commercially viable for the benefit of society”

2. The innovations must:
   1. Address some national priority areas highlighted in the National Development Plan (NDP), Vision 2030 or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); such areas as value addition to raw materials, engineering, mining, transport systems and infrastructure, water resources, manufacturing and industry, renewable & alternative energy, human and animal health, agriculture, livestock and fisheries, environment, construction and building, Information and Communication Technology, new and emerging technologies among others.

2. be locally developed or adapted and as far as possible utilising local raw materials.

3. Please, note that this Fund does not support starting of business ventures/projects; therefore, business plans/proposals such as rearing chickens and other livestock, vegetable growing, opening internet cafés, salons etc., will not be accepted.

4. For more information on the requirement, applicants must read the STIYF Guidelines available on the NSTC website (www.nstc.org.zm) and Facebook page .

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Zambians, resident in Zambia, aged 35 years or below. Applicants are eligible as individuals or as groups or organisations.

Females and differently abled youths are strongly encouraged to apply.

FUNDING

The funding per approved project shall not exceed Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Kwacha (ZMW250,000.00) for the period of the project.

DURATION OF THE PROJECT

Successful, approved projects shall commence in January, 2023 and the planned maximum project duration shall not exceed three (3) years.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted via the online NSTC Grant Management System at nstcms.nstc.org.zm. A guide on how to use the system is available on the NSTC website www.nstc.org.zm

Where it is not possible to use the online system, applications must be submitted electronically through E-mail to nstc@nstc.org.zm

The closing date for submitting applications is Friday, 16^th September, 2022.

A copy of the NRC must be submitted for applicants above the age of 16 years. In the case of a minor, the mentor/parent/guardian must submit a copy of their NRC.

EVALUATION, REVIEW AND SELECTION OF PROJECTS FOR FUNDING

Proposals will be evaluated and reviewed by independent experts. Selection of projects for funding will be on merit and priority, taking into consideration the originality, innovativeness, potential for Intellectual Property (IP) generation and potential to have impact.

Note:

1. Applications that do not meet ALL the requirements stated in this Call and that do not adhere to ALL instructions in the Application Form will not be considered.
2. Proposals will be selected on merit and priority and the decision of the Fund Management Committee shall be final.

For further information, contact NSTC on:

Telephone: +260-211-255854;

E-mail: nstc@nstc.org.zm

 

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Application Period: 20^th July, to 23^rd September, 2022.

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS), administers the Strategic Research Fund (SRF). The Fund is implemented by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The SRF was established to support basic and applied scientific Research and Development (R&D) in identified strategic national priority areas. The Fund is further aimed at enhancing research capacity in Zambia. The NSTC is calling for Research Proposals for funding under the Strategic Research Fund 2022 – 2023 funding cycle.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION

1. RESEARCH THEMATIC AREAS 

Research Proposals must fall within the specified research fields under each thematic area given below. Proposals falling outside these thematic areas and research fields will NOT be considered.

• Agriculture and Forestry
  • Improvement in crop, livestock and fish productivity
  • Agricultural mechanisation
  • Early warning and surveillance systems
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation

• Agriculture, Water and Environment
  • Green and renewable energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • Water harvesting
  • Green growth and sustainable environment 

• Industry and Mining
  • Material science
  • Digital Transformation
  • Mineral value addition
  • Artisanal and small-scale mining technologies
  • Biodegradable packaging materials
  • Artisanal and Small and medium scale green manufacturing technologies

• Health
  • Supplementation and micro-nutrients fortification
  • Communicable and Non-communicable diseases
  • Disease control and prevention
  • Indigenous knowledge medicine and systems

FUNDING CEILING AND EXPENSES

The overall indicative amount made available under this call is Eight Hundred Thousand Kwacha only (ZMW800,000.00) per proposal, for the duration of the project.

Only ‘eligible costs’ can be covered under this grant. The categories of costs that are eligible and non-eligible are indicated below:

Eligible costs:

1. Research materials and supplies
2. Research equipment and accessories
3. Travel and associated costs
4. Specialised services
5. Intellectual property protection fees
6. Dissemination of results and publications
7. Institutional Administrative cost at 5% of the total budget
8. Monitoring and Evaluation cost at 5% of the total budget

  Non-Eligible costs: 

1. Salaries and Honoraria for the research team 
2. Institutional financial management costs such as audit fees
3. Insurance costs not related to the project.

• PROJECT DURATION 

Successful, approved projects shall commence in January, 2023 and the planned maximum project duration shall not exceed three (3) years.

• ELIGIBILITY 

The Call is open to researchers in public and private R&D institutions and Higher Learning Institutions, that are registered with NSTC in the funding cycle. Individual researchers that are not affiliated to institutions will be required to be affiliated to an NSTC-registered institution. Applications from institutions not registered with NSTC will not be considered.

Note:

• Researchers that are Principal Investigators on ongoing SRF-funded projects are not eligible to apply for funding of another project. However, they can participate as part of the research team.
• The research proposals should be practical and focused towards knowledge generation and problem solving in the identified priority research fields.
• Proposals that demonstrate a strong multidisciplinary and collaborative approach among researchers and institutions in Zambia are encouraged.
• Early career researchers, females and differently abled persons are strongly encouraged to apply.
• HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted via the online NSTC Grant Management System at nstcms.nstc.org.zm. A guide on how to use the system is available on the NSTC website www.nstc.org.zm

Note that applications that are not submitted via the online application system shall not be accepted.

Applicants must read the SRF Guidelines available on the NSTC website for further information before applying.

The closing date for submitting applications is Friday, 23^rd September, 2022.

• EVALUATION, REVIEW AND SELECTION OF PROJECTS FOR FUNDING

Proposals will be evaluated and reviewed by independent experts. Selection of projects for funding will be on merit and priority, taking into consideration the following:

• Scientific merit and quality of the proposed research;
• Evidence of the capacity and capability of the research teams and significant contribution to and leadership in the proposed field
• Demonstration of collaboration, inter and multi-disciplinarity of the proposed research
• Originality, innovativeness of the proposed research
• Potential for intellectual property generation, protection and commercialization
• Potential for human capital development for research and innovation
• Potential to have impact
• Consideration for gender and inclusivity dimensions

Note:

1. Applications that do not meet ALL the requirements stated in this Call and that do not adhere to ALL instructions in the Application Form will not be considered.
2. Proposals will be selected on merit and priority and the decision of the Fund Management Committee shall be final.

For further information and inquiries, contact NSTC on:

Telephone: +260-211-255854, E-mail: nstc@nstc.org.zm or srf@nstc.org.zm

 

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