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CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS

I. Introduction

Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) is launching a Call for Research Proposals as part of Performance Contract with  the Ministry of Education. The proposed research work must be conducted in Kenya and must have an immediate application and impact. Applicants should articulate how their activities fit in the process of industri­alization and possibly the flagship projects stipulated in the Kenya Vision 2030 or alternatively how they are pegged to specific Sustainable Develop­ment Goals.

Objectives of the Call

  1. a)Improved management of the diverse resources, products and services to address national needs and support economic development
  2. b)Increase the role of scientific research and technological innovation in contributing to self sufficiency
  3. c)Promote collaborative and multidisciplinary solution-based research.

The current call for proposals will open on18 th January 2016 and close on 8th February 2016. Attention should be given to justifying the scale and duration of the proposed work relative to the grant objectives and the requirements of the proposed program of work. Proposals should have the potential to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the respective area. Projects that demonstrate innovative and promising approaches will be selected. This fund is not meant for postgraduate scholarship but aims to support projects that will generate data which is publishable. In the event of a publication, MUST should be appropriately acknowledged.

II.Scope of Potential Projects and Thematic Areas

Project proposals should address at least one of the following areas as outlined:

(a) Environmental management, climate change and pollution

(b) Renewable and non-renewable resources

(c) Innovation and Technology transfer

(d) Emerging communication technologies

(e) Food security

(f) Agricultural mechanization

(g) Community development and ecotourism

(h) Applied informatics

(i) Public health

(j) Social entrepreneurship and business start-ups

(k) Mathematical modeling and optimization

(l) Plant sciences

Collaborative and multi-disciplinary proposals are encouraged

III. Eligibility

Individuals eligible to receive funding must meet the following criteria:

  1. a)Be permanent staff or a student in the University.
  2. b)Not core members of the Research, Printing and Publication Committee.
  3. c)Not members of the University Management Board.
  4. d)Must disclose any other source of funding.

Proposals from more than one individual as co-applicants will be considered so long as Principle Investigator meets the criteria above. Students can collaborate with lecturers to submit proposals. Proposals must also clearly indicate which individual will take lead responsibility for project management and contractual obligations.

Eligible Costs

The proposed costs of the project must be reasonable and in line with budgetary guidance provided below. Applicants may request for up to KES. 500,000 for a one-year project. Applicants should identify appropriate resources to achieve expected results within the project’s timeframe. Applicant must also commit 10% of their total budget to Monitoring, evaluation and publication.

Eligible costs include the costs for carrying out project activities and be incurred by the researchers within implementation period, the cost of small equipment to be used directly in the project and the cost of consumables and supplies.

Ineligible costs will include  Debts and provisions for losses, interest owed, items already financed in another framework, project or by another donor, preparation costs in relation to the project proposal  and miscellaneous costs.

After completion of the project, items bought will revert to the

University.

IV.Application Procedure

Applicants are required to submit a hard copy and a soft copy of proposal (signed electronically) which should not exceed fifteen (15) pages in (Times New Roman font size 12, 1.5 spacing). It must contain the following sections:- (i) Title of the project (ii) Summary (iii) Problem statement (iv) Justification (v) Up-to-date scholarly knowledge (vi) Objective(s) (vii) Methodology (viii) Expected outputs (ix) References (x) Itemized budget (xi) Work plan (xii) M & E logframe.

Schedule

18th January 2016 Call for Proposals Launched
8th February 2016 Deadline for proposal submission by 17:00 HRS
9th –23rd Feb 2016 Proposals evaluation and short-listing

Notification of successful applicants

8th March Award of grants

Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.

Proposal review

The proposals will go through a compliance review, an internal Research Committee selection and external review. The reviewers will classify the proposals into: Accept as presented, Accept with minor revisions, Accept with major revision or Reject.

 

Award of grants

Grant letters will be prepared for each approved proposal and signed by the Vice Chancellor. The grant award letter will be accompanied by a Research Grant Contract from the Research Office specifying the amount of the grant, purpose and responsibility of the university in monitoring the use of the grant funds and reporting requirements. Successful applicants will present their work during a one-day workshop on grantmanship to be organised by the Research Office.

V. Monitoring and Evaluation

The Research Office will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of progress made according to the indicators outlined in the project M & E logframe. In addition, awardees will need to submit progress and end of project technical and financial reports.

VI.Further Information

For enquiries and clarifications please contact the Research Office through the contacts provided below. The verdict of the selection panel is final.

Please send your proposal to: Research Office, MUST.  P. O. Box 972 – 60200 Meru, Kenya.

Tel: +254-20-2069349; 2092048/064; +254-61-2309217 Fax: 064-30321   Email: research@must.ac.ke