Call Opening Date:     5^th January, 2022

Call Closing Date:       4^th 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 4^th 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