1.0 Introduction

Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) is launching the 9^th internal call for research proposals as part of its mandate.

1.1 Objectives of the Call

1. Improve research output in forms of information, products and services that address national needs for socio-economic development.
2. Increase the roles of scientific research and technological innovation in contributing to achievement of national and international goals.
3. Promote collaborative and multi-disciplinary solution-based research with tangible outcomes
4. Inculcate the culture of research and development through mentorship and peer learning

2.0 Categories of Fundable Research Proposals

This call consists of two (2) types of research proposals and their funding limit is as indicated.

1. Multi-disciplinary research    Ksh. 2,000,000
2. Individual project                   Ksh. 500,000
3. Student projects                    KSh 250,000

3.0 Thematic Areas

All research proposals should address at least one of the following thematic areas

1. Any of the 17 SDGs with specific deliverables
2. Any of the 3 pillars of the Kenya Vision 2030 with specific deliverables
3. Any of the Big Four Agenda with specific deliverables
4. Miraa research
5. Arid and semi-arid lands areas research

This call emphasizes on establishment of a strong link between the academic rigor and practical knowledge product that is useful for local, national and international consumption. The applicants are required to demonstrate tangible and short-term research outputs that will have significant outcomes on the beneficiaries.

4.0 Eligible Applicants

Individuals and groups eligible to apply for the research project funding are,

1. Full time academic staff (including staff on contract, technicians in academic division, library staff and TFs) of the University up to grade 13
2. Current postgraduate student in the University – Postgraduate students must have completed coursework successfully.

The following individuals and/or groups are not eligible to apply,

1. Members of the University Management Board
2. Members of research committee
3. Beneficiaries of the 8^th call
4. Beneficiaries of any previous internal research grant which is incomplete or previous beneficiaries with no tangible output

Postgraduate students should submit their research proposals with their supervisors as principal investigators because of overall project management and contractual obligations. Their research proposals should be submitted with a covering letter from their Supervisor

4.1 Eligible Cost

1. The research fund shall cover costs of research permit, data collection, analysis of results, publication, conference registration fees, conference participation costs and facilitation for the researchers.
2. Subsistence allowances during the research period should not exceed 20% of the total amount awarded.
3. The researchers can allocate up to 10% of the total budget to community extension component of the research.

The research fund shall not support any other costs outside those identified in (a). After completion of the project, all capital items bought by the research fund will revert to the University.

5.0 Plagiarism

1. All research proposals shall be subjected to plagiarism test at the University library and the Directorate of Quality Assurance.
2. The plagiarism report must be signed by both dedicated officers as in (a) and the researcher for transparency purpose.
3. Cut-off acceptable plagiarism levels of the proposals will be determined by the University Librarian and Directorate of Quality Assurance guided by the industry practices.

6.0 Deliverables from the Researcher

All successful grantees are expected to deliver as follows,

1. Submit mid-term progress report that is six (6) months after receiving the grant.
2. Publish at least one (1) paper from the research project in a peer reviewed journal. Researchers must acknowledge financial support from Meru University of Science and Technology in their publication(s).
3. Submit a soft copy of the published paper to the Directorate of Research Development and Extension.
4. Submit end of the project report in soft copy (electronically signed) and make a seminar presentation at the end of the research project. Any patent(s) made out of the research finding must be co-register between the University and the grantees.

7.0 Research Proposal Format

The proposal should not exceed fifteen (15) pages in Times New Roman, font size 12, and spacing of 1.5. It must contain the following sections:

1. Title of the research project
2. Statement of problem
3. Specific study objective(s)
4. Research questions/hypotheses
5. Justification of the study
6. Up-to-date literature review
7. Methodology
8. Expected outputs and outcomes
9. References
10. Work plan/log frame
11. Itemized budget

8.0 Schedule for Proposal Processing

Following schedules will guide the processing of the research proposals

Deadlines	Actions
15th  October, 2021	Call for research proposals launched
15th November, 2021	Deadline for proposal submission
16th November – 16th January, 2022	Proposal evaluations – internal & external
16th February, 2022	Award of grants

 

8.1 Duration of Research

The duration of the research is one (1) calendar year

9.0 Proposal Review Method

Each research proposal will be reviewed by an independent internal and external reviewer. Decision to award an applicant or not will depend on an average score arrived at from the independent scores given by the internal and external reviewers as well as pass mark determined by the Research and Innovation Committee guided by the available financial resources. The proposals will also be subjected to ethical review where necessary. Each successful grantee will be required to sign research grant contract obtained from RDE.

10.0 Monitoring and Evaluation

The Directorate of RDE will monitor research projects based on the indicators outlined in the project work plans/log frame. The Directorate of research will ascertain the compliance with the proposal and expected research impact using standardized M&E tool

11.0 Application Procedure

Applicants are required to submit a soft copy (signed electronically) of the proposal and plagiarism report through: research@must.ac.ke within the deadline provided.

For enquiries, contact the Directorate on research@must.ac.ke