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    24May, 2023
    Bilateral Call Application Guidelines for Collaborative Research Proposals in sustainable economies and societies: Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Renewable Energy

    Call Opening Date: 24th May 2023

    Call Closing Date: 24th 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 24th 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.
    Download Proposal Template
    Download Detailed Guide
    • 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)

    31Oct, 2022
    Science and Technology Merit Awards 2022 Call for Entries

    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 11th 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.

    26Aug, 2022
    Information for Researchers No. 54 | 5 July 2022 African-German Scientific Exchange: “Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture”

    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:

    Poster template:

    Platform for poster upload:

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

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

    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:

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

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

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

    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.

    21Jul, 2022
    CALL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND/OR TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING UNDER THE 2022-2023 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION YOUTH FUND (STIYF)

    Call Opening Date:      20th July, 2022

    Call Closing Date:        16th 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”

    1. 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.
    1. be locally developed or adapted and as far as possible utilising local raw materials.
    1. 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.
    1. 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, 16th 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

     

    21Jul, 2022
    CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING UNDER THE STRATEGIC RESEARCH FUND (SRF)

    Application Period: 20th July, to 23rd 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, 23rd 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

     

    7Jan, 2022
    DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIPS (PPPs) IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (R&I) FOR ZAMBIA – RE-ADVERTISED

    Call Opening Date:     5th January, 2022

    Call Closing Date:       4th February, 2022

    1. BACKGROUND

    The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), established by the Science and Technology Act No. 26 of 1997, is a statutory body through which Government directs policy in the development and application of science and technology in the country. The Council is mandated to promote, regulate and coordinate research and innovation, mobilise resources for science, technology and innovation (STI) and advise Government on STI matters, among other functions.

    The 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.

    With the increasing focus on research for impact to crystalise the STI development and commercialisation agenda, the NSTC recognises the importance of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in Research & Innovation (R&I) and fostering strategic linkages between research and industry. To this end, the NSTC secured a Grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, under the auspices of the SGCI, to fund the operationalization of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Research & Innovation (R&I) in Zambia. The Grant, is based on a co-funding arrangement between the IDRC on one hand and the NSTC on the other.

    In fulfilment of NSTC’s specific function of determining broad directions, stimulating co-ordination and initiating special projects in science and technology, the NSTC is applying part of the said funds to develop a Framework for Public-Private-Partnership in Research and innovation for Zambia.

    • OBJECTIVES OF THE CALL

    The main objective is to support the country’s agenda of transforming the economy into a knowledge-based economy for sustainable socio-economic development 

    The specific objectiveis to develop a Framework aimed at promoting PPP in R&I in the country.

    • RATIONALE OF THE CALL

    In Zambia, PPPs have been traditionally linked to investments in infrastructure such as roads, shopping malls, housing units etc. The NSTC now wishes to promote PPPs in the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.  This is in line with the SGCI’s theme three (3), which aims to support Science Granting Councils (SGCs) to establish partnerships as well as foster public-private linkages in research for accelerated socio-economic development. In advancing this aim, the SGCI commissioned a paper on Research and Innovation entitled ‘Towards Effective Public-Private Partnerships in Research and Innovation: A Perspective for African Research Granting Councils’ which was presented to the Science Granting Councils at the 2017 SGCI Annual Africa Regional Forum. The paper emphasizes the need for Science Granting Councils to establish partnerships with the private sector through creation of practical and working networks that are much more than mere channels of information exchange, but pathways for creation, exchange and utilization of knowledge in the research and innovation ecosystem.

    The Council is therefore calling for proposals to develop a framework for promoting Public-Private-Partnerships in Research and innovation for Zambia.

    • GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION
    • Scope of the Call 

    The framework to be developed must address the following:

    1. Provide an in-depth insight on PPP in R&I
    2. Develop mechanisms to promote PPP in R&I
    • Funding Ceiling and Expenses

    The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is Four Hundred Thousand Kwacha only (ZMW400,000.00).

    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 fees
    2. Research materials and supplies
    3. Research equipment and accessories
    4. Local travel and associated costs
    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

       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  

    The planned maximum project duration shall not exceed six (6) months.

    • Eligibility

    This Call is open to:

    1. Public and private Institutions and organization.
    2. The team leader must have a minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field and must have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in similar undertakings.

    Females and differently abled persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

    • How to Apply

    Applicants must submit a Proposal by way of completing the prescribed Application Form, which is available on the National Science and Technology Council website;(www.nstc.org.zm) and submit electronically to: srf@nstc.org.zmcopied to nstc@nstc.org.zm. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. Applicants can also request for the Application Form from the following E-mail address: nstc@nstc.org.zm.

    The Closing Date for submitting applications is 4th February, 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered

    • REVIEW AND SELECTION OF PROPOSALS
    • Proposals will be evaluated and reviewed by independent experts. Selection of projects will be on merit and priority, taking into consideration the following:
    • Potential significant contribution to advancing PPP in R&I
    •  Quality of the proposal;
    • Multidisciplinarity of the team;
    • Originality and innovativeness of the proposal;
    • Collaboration and capacity of the research team
    1. The decisions of the Approvals Committee shall be final.

    The application form may be found by following this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K2nX1x_qil7USOdu0ACFRoIiWHs4Yfxo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113609586638016125870&rtpof=true&sd=true

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

    2Nov, 2021
    CALL FOR INNOVATIONS – NTBC
    CALL FOR PARTICIPATION TO DEVELOP A DIGITAL APPLICATION FOR DELIVERING PRODUCTIVITY, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY INTERVENTIONS TO ENTERPRISES IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY
    The Ministry of Labour and Social Security with support from the Commission of African Union (AU) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is implementing a project aimed at enhancing mainstreaming of Productivity, Occupational Safety and Health and Social Security amongst enterprises in the informal economy.
     Zambia’s workforce is largely informal (estimated at 68.6 percent by the 2019 LFS Report) and is predominantly characterised by low productivity.  In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, technology has been identified as one of the key ways of mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic. However, the digital use/capabilities of enterprises in the informal economy is very low and thus they have failed to leverage on technology to build resilience and improve productivity.
    In view of the above, the NTBC in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is running a contest to identify skilled and innovative youth(s) that will develop a digital application for delivering productivity, occupational safety and Health and Social Security interventions.
    It is envisioned that the digital application will serve as a platform for mentorship programmes, information dissemination, training and advisory services.
    To participate in the contest, applicants must:
         I.        Be Zambian Nationals;
       II.        Be 35 years and below;
     III.        Have good working knowledge of ICT applications and be able to provide ongoing/after sales maintenance services;
     IV.        Submit a prototype(s) in order to participate in the contest.
       V.        Once selected, be available and willing to work under the guidance of Government ICT Experts.
     VI.        Applications can be submitted as individuals or groups/Teams (i.e. whether in the informal or formal sector}.
    Youths meeting the above-mentioned requirements are hereby invited to attend an information session to be held virtually on 8th  November 2021 to discuss the terms of reference and provide all the necessary information required.
    Kindly contact the following numbers to register for Zoom meeting. Mrs Pamela Kapaya Muhongo on: 0977622191 or Mr James Mwale on: 0973501866 or via Email: lchuulu@ntbc.co.zm or  info@ntbc.co.zm
     
    Proposals and a prototype of a digital platform can be submitted no later than 12th November, 2021 to:
    The Director
    National Technology Business Centre (NTBC)
    New Government Complex
    Independence Avenue
    P.O Box 51310RW                                  
    Lusaka
     
    Or via Email: info@ntbc.co.zm
    Please note that the terms of reference can be downloaded using the links below;
    https://bit.ly/2Z4LLCN
    Or
    https://ntbc.co.zm/ToR_System_Requiremts.docx
    17Sep, 2021
    CALL for scientific and/or technological innovation project proposals for funding under the 2021-2022 science, technology and innovation youth fund

    BACKGROUND
    The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Science and Technology.
    The Ministry of Science and Technology 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 2021-2022 STIYF cycle.
    ELIGIBILITY
    Applicants must be Zambians aged 35 years of age or below. Applicants are eligible as individuals or as groups or organisations.
    Female youths and differently abled persons are strongly encouraged to apply.
    DURATION OF THE PROJECT
    Successful and approved projects shall commence in January, 2022 and the planned maximum project duration shall not exceed three (3) years.
    FUNDING
    The funding ceiling is Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Kwacha (K250,000.00) per approved project.
    APPLICATION GUIDELINES
    i. 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”
    ii. The innovations must:
    NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
    Page 2 of 3
    a. Address some national priority areas highlighted in the Seventh National
    Development Plan (7NDP), 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 (preferably addressing emerging challenges of COVID-19), agriculture, livestock and fisheries, environment, construction and building, Information and Communication Technology, new and emerging technologies among others.
    b. be locally developed or adapted and as far as possible utilising local raw
    materials.
    iii. Please, note that the Fund does not support business projects; therefore, business proposals such as rearing chickens and livestock, vegetable growing, opening internet cafés, salons etc., will not be accepted.
    iv. For more information on the requirement, applicants must read the STIYF Guidelines available on the NSTC website (www.nstc.org.zm) and Facebook page .
    HOW TO APPLY
    Applicants must fill in and submit the standard Application Form, which is available on the NSTC website (www.nstc.org.zm), or requested for from E-mail: nstc@nstc.org.zm. For the Application form click here.
    Applications can also be written in the following format (Only where it is not possible to obtain an Application Form):
    i. General Information: This section should include the following: Title of
    Innovation/project, Category of innovation (corresponding with the priority areas listed in the guidelines above), Amount applied for in words and in figures, Applicant(s) full names, Sex, NRC or Passport No. Level of education, contact details i.e. Address, Telephone No., Mobile No., E-mail (if applicable). Signature and date.
    ii. Details of the Innovation: This section should clearly give details of the innovation by answering the following questions:
    a. Explain in detail how the innovation will work (attach diagrams where
    applicable) (35 points)
    b. Explain how you came up with the idea or where you got the idea from (15 points)
    c. What problem(s) in the community/society/country will your innovation solve and explain the benefits (20 points)
    d. What raw materials will be required to make your innovation and indicate the source of each of these raw materials (10 points)
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    e. Explain how your innovation is likely to affect the environment, whether
    positively or negatively. What measures will be put in place to address any
    negative environmental effects? (5 points)
    f. Explain the economic potential and sustainability of the proposed innovation. (10 points)
    iii. Provisional Budget (5 points): (The final budget will be developed with the assistance of an expert from an institution that will supervise your project (the Institution of Affiliation)). The provisional budget should list all items required to develop the innovation and estimate the cost for each item. The budget should include materials, cost of fabrication and other services, operational costs e.g. travel, meetings, communication, etc., Institution of Affiliation Administrative cost at 5% of the total budget, Monitoring and evaluation cost at 5% of the total budget.
    A copy of the NRC must be submitted for applicants above the age of 16 years. In the case of a minor, the mentor must submit a copy of their NRC.
    Applications must be submitted electronically to nstc@nstc.org.zm or mailed/delivered to:
    The Executive Secretary National Science and Technology Council
    Curriculum Development Centre Building Haile Selassie Road, Longacres
    P. O. Box 51309 Lusaka
    The Closing Date for submitting applications is: 22nd October, 2021
    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 and strong commercialization potential of the proposed project.
    Note:
    i. 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.
    ii. 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

    For the Application form click here.

    Please note that the form must be downloaded and filled in by applicants. Then it should be submitted to either nstc@nstc.org.zm or srf@nstc.org.zm via email.