Call Opening Date:            17^th August, 2020

Call Closing Date:              17^th September, 2020

1. BACKGROUND

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is one of the Science Granting Councils (SGCs) 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 NSTC under the auspices of the SGCI has attracted funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada to fund Research.

In fulfilment of one of NSTC’s specific functions of ensuring that gender concerns are integrated at all levels of science and technology development in the country, the NSTC is applying part of the said funds to understand the Gender dimensions in science, technology and innovation in Zambia.

Although gender mainstreaming has been a priority of Government, the challenges of participation of females in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) have been prevalent; with an apparent imbalance in the participation of females and males in Science, Technology and Innovation in the country as evidenced by the low number of females in STI careers. This situation necessitates affirmative action to incorporate gender dimensions and deliberately encourage females to participate in STI, as an expression of the recognition of the key role that females play in the development of STI and the commitment to inclusive STI development.

The Council is therefore calling for project proposals to research on Gender Dimensions in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Academia-Industry-Research & Development in Zambia.

The aim of this commissioned study is to get an understanding of the local context of gender in science, technology and innovation in academia-industry-research and development and support the advancement of gender equality in STI in the country.

• GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION

• Research Areas 

The research project must address the following:

1. Provide an in-depth insight on gender in science, technology and innovation in academia-industry-research & development in Zambia
2. Factors influencing gender dimensions in science, technology and innovation in academia-industry-research & development in Zambia
3. Evidence-informed decision-making support tools for advancing gender equality in STI in the country
4. Workable implementation mechanisms to address the issue of gender inequality in STI in the country

Note:

• Research proposals should be practical and focused towards problem solving in the identified priority research area.
• Proposals that demonstrate a strong multidisciplinary and collaborative approach among researchers and institutions are encouraged.

• Funding Ceiling and Expenses

The funding ceiling is Three Hundred Thousand Kwacha only (ZMW300,000.00).

The grant may cover the following expenses:

1. Research materials and supplies
2. Research equipment and accessories
3. Local travel
4. Special services
5. Dissemination of results and publications
6. Institutional Administrative cost at 5% of the total budget
7. Monitoring and Evaluation cost at 5% of the total budget

  The grant will not cover the following expenses: 

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  

The maximum project duration is twenty-four (24) months.

• Eligibility

This Call is open to:

1. Public and private science and technology Research and Development (R&D) Institutions/Centres and Institutions of Higher Learning that are registered with NSTC.

1. Individual researchers (shall be required to be affiliated to an NSTC-registered institution).

Females and differently abled persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

• How to Apply

Applicants must submit a Research Proposal by way of completing the prescribed Application Form, which is available on the National Science and Technology Council website;(www.nstc.org.zm). Applicants can also request for the Application Form from the following E-mail address: nstc@nstc.org.zm.

Applications must be submitted electronically to: srf@nstc.org.zm and copied to nstc@nstc.org.zm. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

The Closing Date for submitting applications is Thursday, 17^th September, 2020

• REVIEW AND SELECTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSALS
• Proposals will be evaluated and reviewed by independent experts. Selection of projects will be on merit and priority, taking into consideration the following:

• Evidence of significance of contribution to advancing gender equality in STI
• Scientific merit and quality of the proposed research;
• Multidisciplinarity of the proposed research
• Originality and innovativeness of the proposed research;
• Collaboration, and capacity of the research team

1. The decisions of the SRF Fund Management Committee shall be final.

For further information and inquiries, contact NSTC on Telephone: +260-211-255854, E-mail: nstc@nstc.org.zm.

Download the application form here.

Application Period:        17^th August, 2020 to 30^th September, 2020

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Higher Education, 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 2020 – 2021 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.

2. Improving production and productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries
3. Enhancing nutritive value of crops
4. Development of crop pests and animal diseases management technologies

• Free energy permanent magnet generators
• Distributed energy generation technologies
• Biosolid fuel production from organic waste/aquatic weeds

• Mining value chains and industrialization
• Sustainable small-scale mining technologies
• Environmentally friendly mining technologies

• FUNDING

The funding ceiling is Eight Hundred Thousand Kwacha (K800,000.00) per project for a duration of three (3) years.

• ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Call is open to researchers in public and private R&D institutions registered with NSTC in the funding cycle. Individual researchers 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.

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.

Females and differently abled persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

• HOW TO APPLY

A Research Proposal must be submitted by completing an Application Form obtainable from the NSTC website (www.nstc.org.zm) and can be requested from the e-mail address (nstc@nstc.org.zm).

Applicants must read SRF Guidelines for further application guidelines before applying. The SRF Guidelines are available on the NSTC website. 

Applications must be submitted electronically to: nstc@nstc.org.zm

The closing date for submitting applications is 30^th September, 2020. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

• 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 and strong innovation/commercialization potential
• Potential for human capital development for research and innovation
• Consideration for gender and inclusivity dimensions

For further information and inquiries, contact NSTC on Telephone: +260-211-255854, Fax: +260-211-257194, E-mail: nstc@nstc.org.zm or srf@nstc.org.zm

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.

Download the Application form here.