Guidelines For COVID-19 Call For Proposals

Competitive Research Programme
Guidelines & Details for Principal Investigators
1. Background:
Socio-economic progress of any nation is achievable by development and appropriate use of indigenous
technologies through application and commercialization of research. Socio-economic progress is the
most daunting task faced by the third world countries. Pakistan is a country blessed with tremendous
amount of natural resources. However, a strong and sustainable link amongst research organizations,
industrial community/end-users and funding institutions is somewhat lacking and has to be established to
achieve the objective of economic self-reliance which may directly enhance the quality of life in any
society.
Thus, ultimate aim of this grant is to give magnitude to R&D culture through improvement of existing
R&D institutions, effective collaboration between academia, R&D organizations and industry and
ultimately the economic development of the country. Therefore, keeping in view the constraints that lies
in the way of prosperous economy, the concept of the Competitive Research Programme is being
introduced to enhance the effectiveness of the public money by supporting basic / applied research of the
R&D organizations as well as the technological developments for the benefit of the economy.
The funding under this Programme is based on the following main objectives:
i. Import Substitution
ii. Enhancement of exports
iii. Indigenous Technology Development
iv. Societal Needs
v. Inventions and Innovations
2. Who can Apply:

Competitive Research Grants will facilitate the technological transformations for a strong, dynamic and
internationally competitive economy. Under the proposed scheme following can be funded:
i. Individual Researchers
ii. Consortium Research Grants for addressing National Challenges and Issues
awarded to Joint Ventures of the public sector/HEC recognized organizations with each
other or with private organizations.
iii. Research Projects under the Triple Helix Model to focus on Commercialization of
R&D awarded to Academia/ R&D organizations and Industry Collaborations.
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3. Nature of the Projects:
Duration for the execution / completion of the project will be maximum upto 3 years with the maximum
funding limit up to Rs. 20.00 Million (Rs. 8.0 Million for Individual Researchers). Competitive Research
Grants will be provided for:
i. Creation of new knowledge through publications in impact factor journals as well as
ultimate dissemination and citations
ii. Development of the new processes/ products/ applications through indigenous skills.
iii. Indigenous Technology Development through the established International Partners.
iv. Improvements in the existing products/ processes according to the needs of economy.
v. Value addition & Commercialization of the developed /established technologies.
vi. Pilot Plant Studies
vii. Inventions & Innovations
4. Main Streams of Funding:

Following major categories will be funded under this Call of Competitive Research Grants:
I. Criteria for Selection under Individual Research Grants:
 Individual researchers from the public sector R&D and S&T institutes;
 Private sector researchers can submit proposals where proper financial
management system is in place and the organization is involved in R&D with
proper track record and/or management hierarchy to prudently manage R&D
funds and deliver results;
 PSF may consider “lone” inventors to be eligible for an individual grant if he/she
has an established track record of successful R&D. These will be consulted with
the Steering Committee for approval of grant and formulation of SOPs.
 The limit under individual research grants will not exceed Rs. 8.00 million.
 The project can be basic or applied nature.
II. Criteria for Selection under Consortium Research Grants:
 Researchers from different public sector institutions and universities can join hands to
submit one (or more) multi-disciplinary research proposals on issues of national
importance and such consortia may be encouraged through efforts of PSF, under the
authority vested in it by the Steering Committee, and/or in collaboration other national
policymaking bodies such as the Planning Commission, PARC, HEC, PCSIR, etc.
through an Open Call process.
 The proposals for Consortium Grants must be thematic, inter-disciplinary, and must
address a national issue of high importance for which an Open Call has been issued.
Although, PSF may entertain unsolicited proposals in cases of extreme importance or
emergency, preference shall be given to proposals received under Open Calls on
National Challenges.
 Developing the consortium will be the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (or
Lead Institution) though PSF may support this process by organizing Scientific Meetings
of key stakeholders to discuss possible approaches to solving National Problems.
 Consortium Research Grants will be funded upto Rs. 20.00 Million.
 The project must be of applied and problem solving nature with a clearly identified
immediate outcome to address a National Issue or Challenge of high importance.
 A separate proforma of Consortium Plan should be accompanied with the projects under
this category.
III. Criteria for Selection under Triple-Helix Model:
 The research proposals of public-private collaborations with private/industry cost-share

(in cash or kind) shall be solicited and funded under the Triple Helix Model.
 Industry Letter of Intent / Consent with clearly defined commercial value and private
sector cost-share during or after (for commercialization) shall be mandatory with 15-
20% in cash & kind.
 Project must clearly elaborate a meaningful participation of the private sector during and
commercialization mechanism or handover to private sector as the ultimate end-user
after the culmination of the project.
 Triple- Helix Research will be funded upto Rs. 20.00 Million.
 The project must be of applied nature.
 A separate proforma of Business Plan should be accompanied with the projects under
this category. The mechanism of commercialization will be part of this project.
The Project Proposals complete in all respects along-with C.Vs of the P.I., Co-P.I. and the details of the
private sector industrial partners should be submitted through email. The soft copy can be emailed (in
MS Word format) at [email protected]:
Project Manager
Competitive Research Programme
Pakistan Science Foundation
1-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2
Islamabad.
051-9204033
051-9209664
051-9202468 (Fax)

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Competitive Research Programme

Guidelines & Details for Principal Investigators

2. Who can Apply:

4. Main Streams of Funding:

I. Criteria for Selection under Individual Research Grants:

II. Criteria for Selection under Consortium Research Grants:

III. Criteria for Selection under Triple-Helix Model:

 The research proposals of public-private collaborations with private/industry cost-share

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