e-science fund research proposal write-up · pdf filee-science fund research proposal write-up...

E-Science Fund Research

Proposal Write-up

Dr. Abdul Kadir Masrom

Program MOSTI Research Funding

2nd July 2012

UITM Kedah

Outline of Presentation

• Overview

•ScienceFund

•Technofund

• Evaluation / Selection Criteria for

•Science Fund

•TechnoFund

•Rejection Reason

• Writing wining Proposal

•InnoFund

2

R&D&C FUNDING STRUCTURE

TechnoFund

ScienceFund

Pre-R&D

Process

Value

Analysis

Concept/

Idea

Basic

R

Applied

R Prototype

Development

R&D COMMERCIALISATION PRE-R&D PRE COM

Incubation/

Early

Growth

Mature

Stage

Value

Realisation

VCs, MAVCAP,MOF,

Industries

Tech.

Foresight,

Tech.

Roadmap

CRDF,TAF

Pilot

Plant /

CR Prototype

Science Fund TechnoFund

Enterprise and Community

InnoFund Nano Fund

Research Grant

Exploratory, Proof of

concept

Basic and Applied

Durations: 2-3 yrs

Pre-com,

2-3 yrs durations

Need Proof of concept

Top Down – minimum

3 collaborator

Science Fund

To generate new knowledge through basic

and applied sciences;

To develop laboratory proof of concept; and

To enhance research capability and increase

number of researchers.

Science Fund: OBJECTIVES

TYPES OF RESEARCH

Strategic basic research: experimental or theoretical work undertaken

primarily to acquire new knowledge that are

expected to lead to useful discoveries.

Applied research: research undertaken to acquire new knowledge

for a specific application (targeted research).

RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

•Biotechnology Cluster

•ICT Cluster

•Industrial Cluster (Advanced Materials,

Advanced Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Alternative

Energy, Waste to Wealth)

•Agro-industry Cluster

•Sea to Space Cluster

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT

Research Institutions;

Public Institutions of Higher Learning;

Private Institutions of Higher Learning

(subject to MOSTI approval)

Government STI Agencies

GLC research laboratories

SCOPE OF SCIENCE FUND

The funding is for strategic basic and

applied research up to laboratory

proof of concept

The quantum for each project is up to RM500,000.00.

The quantum of fund approved will be determined

based on the merit of each application.

Project Duration

The project duration is up to 30 months.

11

Quantum of Funding

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

•Temporary and contract personnel;

•Travel and transportation;

•Rentals;

•Research materials and supplies;

•Minor modifications and repairs;

•Special services; and

•Special equipment and accessories.

Science Fund TechnoFund

Enterprise and Community

InnoFund Nano Fund

Research Grant

Exploratory, Proof of

concept

Basic and Applied

Durations: 2-3 yrs

Pre-com,

2-3 yrs durations

Need Proof of concept

Top Down – minimum

3 collaborator

Pre Commercialisation Fund

TECHNOFUND

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TechnoFund is a grant scheme which aims to stimulate the growth and successful innovation of Malaysian enterprises by

increasing the level of R&D and its commercialisation. The scheme provides funding for technology

development, up to pre-commercialisation stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses

and generate economic wealth for the nation

15

Definition of TechnoFund

Objectives of TechnoFund • to undertake the development of new or cutting edge technologies or further

develop/value add existing technologies/products in specific areas (Section 7) for the creation of new businesses and generation of economic wealth for Malaysia;

• to undertake market driven R&D towards commercialisation of R&D outputs;

• to encourage institutions, local companies and inventors to capitalise their intellectual work through intellectual property (IP) registration; and

• to stimulate the growth and increase capability and capacity of Malaysian technology-based enterprises, Malaysian Government Research Institutes (GRI) and Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) through both local and international collaborations.

16

Quantum of Funding

Project Duration

The project duration is up to 30 months*.

*Additional 6 months is permitted for application involving IP acquisition.

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RM1.5 – RM3.0 million

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants can be researchers and other individuals

from:

• Small and Medium Enterprises;

• Institutions of Higher Learning;

• Research Institutes; and

• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agencies.

18

Eligibility Criteria

• All categories of companies must have a minimum of 51% equity held by Malaysians;

• Applicant or collaborator under the small and medium company category must have minimum paid up capital in cash of RM10,000.00. However, start-up companies are exempted from this stipulation but must provide justification and supporting documents on the ability to sustain itself;

• None of the company directors or project team members have been convicted of any fraudulent activities or the company been declared bankrupt, under liquidation or placed under receivership

• The proposed project must contain elements of technological innovation leading to commercialisation of innovative products, processes and services;

• The proposed project should be in the pre commercialisation stage with established Proof of Concept (POC);

• The project leader and team members must be competent to undertake the proposed project. The resume and supporting documents of the project leader and each project team member must also be submitted.

• The following are not eligible for funding under the Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund):

1. projects under the scope, responsibility or portfolio of certain Ministry, Department or Agency other than MOSTI; and

2. applications from Research Institutes with internal research funding such as CESS Fund

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Scope of Funding

1. the acquisition of technology (foreign and/ or local). Applicants should provide the acquisition agreement or if such an agreement is not in place, applicants shall provide details of the technology to be acquired;

2. the up-scaling of laboratory-scale prototype or the development of commercial ready prototype; and

3. pre-clinical testing/clinical testing/field trials

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The funding can be used for the following:

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i. pilot plant/ prototype – equipment and supporting infrastructure which is directly related to the pilot plant;

ii. IP Preparation and Registration in Malaysia only (excluding maintenance)- existing and new IP;

iii. market testing / assessment and/or evaluation;

iv. regulatory and standards compliance;

v. expenditure for services (consultancy/ testing) not exceeding 20% of project cost;

vi. contract expenditure applicable to IHLs and GRIs only (research assistant);

vii. raw materials/consumables; and

viii. technology / IP acquisition (if applicable).

Research Priority Areas 1. Life Sciences,

2. Computer Sciences and Information and Communication Technology (ICT),

3. Agriculture Sciences / Agricultural Engineering,

4. Environmental Sciences,

5. Advanced Materials Science,

6. Chemical Sciences,

7. Physical and Mathematical Sciences,

8. Engineering,

9. Medical and Health Sciences, and

10. Social Sciences and Humanities.

22

Evaluation / Selection Criteria

for Science Fund

23

Review Process of Research

Grant

Applicants

Applicant

Organization Grant Funder -

MOSTI

Center/Dept

Division/

Faculty

Initiate Research

Ideas – Red

Gates

Conduct

Research

Prepare Proposal

Submission &

Internal

Review

MOSTI Internal Review

– Track record finding

Technical Review –

Evaluate f scientific

merit

Strategic Review/Meeting

– Evaluate

recommendation

Endorsement

Alocates Funds

Get the

Team

Project Evaluation flow

Success rate – present situation

• INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING COMMITTEE: 95%

• TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEE

: 20-30%

• APPROVAL COMMITTEE :

INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING

• All applications are to be screened by the

Institutional Screening Committee to

ensure that the applications conform to

the Science Fund requirements.

• The Institutional Screening Committee is

required to assess various technical

aspects of the research proposal using

the Institutional Screening Form.

INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING

• It should also ensure;

– project leader and research team are technically competent and the

– project costs are fair, and there is

– optimal utilisation of available research equipments and infrastructure.

• The Institutional Screening Committee must

ensure that ethical clearance related to the

research project has been obtained from the relevant authority.

MOSTI - TECHNICAL AND

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE

• The committee will study the proposals

based on the main following criteria;

– merits of the research objectives,

– appropriateness of research methodology,

– ability of researchers and their team members

– the cost effectiveness of the proposal.

– Assessing commercialization potential

MOSTI - APPROVAL

COMMITTEE • Projects evaluated by the Technical and Financial

Committee are then submitted to the Science Fund Approval Committee for final assessment.

• The Approval Committee is chaired by the Secretary General of MOSTI.

• Any decision made by the ScienceFund Approval

Committee is final.

TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL

COMMITTEE

• Most Important committee – as it

recommend projects for approval.

– Very competitive

– Highly technical

– Mixed composition

Evaluation Process

• Part 1- General

– Research Cluster

– Project Leader and Team

– Project Title

1. Research

- must be a research proposal, NOT just development

- must be applied research, NOT fundamental research


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Research Cluster

• Important – to direct the proposal to the

right panel

• Field of Research(FOR) – must be

correctly identify

– to get the right panel – get fair evaluations

– avoid from being lump into “Air to Space”

Project Leader and Team

• Institutional committee knew better

• Competency of project leader and member

– Update your CV in MASTIC database

• Reason for rejection:

– PL contract expired before project end

– *PL have more than 2 ongoing project

– PL track record – please send final report

– Team member composition - irrelevant expertise

– PL involved in too many project

Project Title

• The topic is usually framed as a ‘problem’

or question in need of an answer.

• The topic statement will invite your reader

to ask why it is significant and ‘worth

doing’.

• A good research proposal identifies in the

research topic a ‘problematic’ to be

investigated.

Project Title

• An important issue is how you theorise or

conceptualise the topic—what needs to

come through is your understanding of the

problematic you are exploring.

Background/Literature Review

• In sketching this background, you need to

show how and why does the topic come to be important and why is it worth researching? This means:

– contextualizing the research problem—how does it arise?

– outlining its significance—what will be the outcomes, and for whom?

• referring to key issues that are associated with the topic

Background/Literature Review

• Background can be provided in several ways: – Your theoretical interests or concerns may have

generated the research, and its justification is to be found in a theoretical developments or related literature.

• In any case, you should summarise the influences which come into play to shape your research.

• The analysis should lead you to interrogate your own assumptions about why the problem is significant.

Conceptual framework and

related literature

• A conceptual framework elaborates the research problematic in relation to relevant literature. It should deal with such matters as:

– existing research and its relevance for your topic

– relevant theoretical perspective or perspectives

– key ideas or constructs in your approach

– possible lines of inquiry you might pursue

Evaluation Process

• Part 2 - Technical Evaluation

– Objective

– Methodology

– Output Expected

– Collaboration

– Project Expenses

1. Research

- must be a research proposal, NOT just development

- must be applied research, NOT fundamental research


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2. Novelty

- the research proposal must be novel

- may lead to the generation of new IP, such as filing of a patent:

Newness, inventive step and industrial application

- identify the patentability aspect of the research proposal, if any

- prior art search must be done to ensure the originality of the

proposal

- Patent incentives tell it all !

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Evaluation / Selection Criteria Evaluation / Selection Criteria

3. Viability of Research Objectives

- must be specific and measurable e.g. the objective of the project is to develop a thin-film solar cell for micro

energy harvester. The expected harvested power level is 10 µW/cm2

- must be technically feasible

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Purpose of the Research

Objectives Section

• Specify the outcome of your project, the end product(s)

• Keep you objectives

– Specific: indicate precisely what you intend to change through your project

– Measurable –what you accept as proof of project success

– Logical – how each objective contributes to systematically to achieving your overall goal

Objective(s)

• First line of technical content - something toward

which effort is directed: an aim, or end action.

• This section defines the problem that the project

aims to solve. It should be logical and easily

understandable.

• Must be certain and achievable

• Must reflect research merit/research elements

• Objectives – methodology-output must be

online

Objective(s)

• Avoids writing:

– Too many objectives

– Weak objectives

– Very long objectives

– Very high /uncertain objectives – from time frame and

methodology, this will not be achievable

– objective contradict with

• Methodology

• Title

• output

Writing Tips for Objectives

Section • Don’t confuse your objectives (ends) with

you methods (means).

• A good objective emphasizes what will be

done, whereas a method will explain why

or how it will be done.

• Include goals (ultimate) and objectives

(immediate)

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An Ideal Research Objective:

• Hypothesis-driven

• Innovative

• To study mechanisms

• Realistic and focused

• Doable in the requested budget and

time

49

Research Objective

Common Mistakes 1. “Too ambitious”

Solutions:

Focus on one important issue and study

underlying mechanisms

50

Research Objective

Common Mistakes 2. “Technology-driven”

If an application is not to study a technology or method, it should not be technology-driven. Using a technology is not a purpose, but a measure

Solutions:

1) Develop a hypothesis

2) Select necessary methodologies which are necessary to demonstrate the hypothesis

4. Output Expected

- Prototype, patents, new/ improved process, new method/

technique

- must reflect the output of an applied research with potential

industrial applications

e.g. solar-based energy harvester for microelectronic devices in

aquaculture application

51


Output Expected

• Choose right output from the list;

• Be certain with type of research

– Applied research ?

– Basic Research ?

• Provide short explanation on the output

• Reflect potential commercialization

6. Appropriateness of Research

Methodology

- Elaborate the research methodology in stages/ phases

- give details on the analytical techniques, design, and research

activities

- should make an attempt to compare the methodology with

alternative methods

53


Methodology

• Reason for rejection

– No methodology write up wrong write-up

– Wrong research approach cross ref to Obj

– Methodology has no scientific/research merit

• very simple work ( experimental class work)

• Repeating work, not showing any progress – cross

ref to previous work

Methodology

• Understand meaning of methodology – it is not

an activities

• Methodology explains research method

implement to achieve the project objectives.

– Describe the methods and procedures that will be

used. Careful thought and detailing of the procedures

will greatly increase the likelihood of the project/thesis

to be completed in an expeditious and enjoyable

manner.

• support with flow diagram( if necessary)

Methodology

• Methodology put simply is the research methods

you intend to develop or employ and their

justification.

• It is more than a description of the techniques or

procedures proposed, and should outline the

key assumptions your approach makes.

• It may foreshadow some of the ‘methodological

issues’ which you anticipate will arise in

developing your research approach.

Methodology

• How you describe your methodology will

depend on what kind of approach you are

taking. The methodology section typically

might:

– refer to a accepted method or approach

– highlight problems in developing a suitable

approach (methodological issues)

– describe how information will be generated,

analysed and reported

Methodology

• If you plan a quantitative study, you will refer to

method, data collection and analysis.

• Qualitative methodology will need to describe

issues in managing qualitative data.

• An action research methodology needs to be

described in terms of planning a process and the

outcomes of different phases of the process, and

so on.

8. Commercialisation Potential

- the research output MUST have the potential for further

development and commercialisation.

59


Collaboration

• Not very critical

• But its good if we can list down the

collaborator(s) involved in the project.

No rejection because of no collaboration

9. Cost Effectiveness

- cost effectiveness of the research outcome /

proposed solution.

61


Project Expenses

• Very Important Part

• Must provide fair project cost

• No max value – base on merit of the

proposal…However experience shows

that value <300K, have more success rate

• Many projects : 40-60% funding approved.

• Do not over blown your cost

Project Expenses

• Thing that will help secure better funding & less deduction; – Details out expenses – traveling, repairs, special

services

– Itemized research materials cost- do not give lump sum figure

– Provide quotation- materials and equipment

– Avoid purchase of one big equipment- if reject, you get zero RM

– List all small equipments

– Write justification for purchase and description for use of equipments – write details, do not write on one or two line.

7. Relevancy of Key Milestones

- categorically quantify the various significant accomplishments

of the projects in phases

- the milestone should reflect the various major stages of

progress in the project.

- must be at least 2 milestones per calendar year.

64


Milestone

• Milestone is again not activities - a

significant point in development, and

intermediary target reached on the way to

the goal

• One milestone for every 6 month

10. Project Risk

- identify the Technical Risk, Financial Risk and Timeline Risk

and justify accordingly.

- suggest a risk mitigation plan if the risk is deemed high.

66


Possible Outcomes of Evaluation

(1) Recommended for Approval

(2) Recommended for Rejection

(3) KIV – pending reply from applicant for clarification

67


Reasons of Rejection

68

1. Not a Research Project

- The so-called proposed research is NOT a research and does

not fall under Research & Priority Area.

- The focus is more on application development/ integration

E.g. Integrated fleet management system, online video game.


69

2. Lack of Novelty

- various similar works have been published.

- There are already such devices/ software applications in the

market that have same functionality

- e.g. search engine

Top Ten Reasons of Rejection

70


3. Research Objective Not Clear

- The research objective is too general with no details of goals

and specific objectives.


71


4. Research Methodology Not Well

Explained

- Lack of proper detailing of research methodology and

approach.


72


5. Technology Soon Becoming Obsolete

- The technology proposed may become obsolete by the time

the research is done

- e.g. DDR SDRAM

- crowded market, red ocean


73


6. Unclear Expected Output

- The expected output of the project is inconsistent and puzzling


74


7. Little Commercialisation Prospect

- The project has little prospect for further development and

commercialisation

- Commercialisation potential not explained in the proposal.


75


8. Incomplete/ Empty CV


76



for TechnoFund

77

Approval Criteria

78

Approval Criteria of the Project

1. Novelty Project proposal must be able to show the uniqueness and the novelty aspect of their technology/product in terms of new product, new technique, new process, modification of existing product/process, additional application, cutting edge technology, and/or patentable. Applicant must conduct a Prior Art Search to verify on the patentability aspect.

79


2. Technical Feasibility

The applicant will be evaluated with respect to the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the project within the stipulated time.

80

3. Laboratory Proof of Concept (POC) Evaluation of the Proof of Concept will be made to establish viability, technical issues and overall direction, as well as provide feedback for budgeting.


4. Competency of the Project Team

-Project teams should consist of qualified and competent members with respect to technical and commercialisation aspects. -Roles and responsibilities of collaborators involved in the project should be clearly defined. -Core business of applicant must be related to area of research. -Project leader must be technically fluent & competent in the related project. -Involvement of consultants in the project should be justified and with details submitted. -Each member of the team should provide CV clearly stating their previous research as well as highlighting significant successes.

81


5. Credibility of Project Proposal The project proposal must be clear, accurate and consistent with the objectives of the Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund). The proposal must also have milestones and project activities that can be completed within the agreed time frame.

82

6. Appropriateness of Methodology The applicant should provide sufficient information (clear sequence of stages & phases of the proposed methodology) for the evaluator to determine whether the chosen methodology (new or established methods/techniques) is appropriate to achieve the project objectives.


7. Deliverables

The applicant should be able to indicate clearly the type of output expected, market size and able to demonstrate its potential for commercialisation of new/innovative technologies and/or new IPs derived from the project.

83

8. Financial Capability

Applicants should show proof of financial capability to finance any portion of project cost not funded by Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund).


9. Projection of the Project Costs

Detailed projection of the project costs must be provided. As for purchase of equipment and acquisition of services, all the relevant documents of the Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund) guideline must be included in the project proposals for evaluation.

84

10. Risk

The applicant must state the possible risks (technology risk, financial risk and time risk) that may affect the implementation or completion of the project.


11. Others

The applicant and collaborator(s) must fulfill other conditions stipulated under the guidelines and policies of the Pre Commercialisation Fund (TechnoFund).

85


Reasons for Rejection

86

1. No Proof of Concept (POC) and weak of methodology;

2. Business model is not clear;

3. There is no novelty in the technology presented;

4. Weak project team;

5. The project is already successful and in the commercialisation stage;

6. The project proposed is a common technology and has no value added aspect;

7. Product already exist in market;

8. The project is just to assemble commercial components;

9. The main purpose of the project is to buy equipment and provide services. No element of R&D and technology development have been carried out; and

10. Proposal is still in the idea stages only.

87


Learning from experience

You had your proposal rejected/turn down??

Asked yourself what you had learned from the process. I

can say – you can easily learn 5-10 lessons that you

could take home – I am sure they were all good lessons.

Good, just learn from this experience

and don’t make the mistakes that the

losing proposals made.

You can vastly improve your

chance of success in proposal writing

Way Forward

Strategic Retreat

Way Forward

Winning

Writing Winning Proosal

What is a research proposal?

• A document with two major objectives:

– To analyze and synthesize the existing research about particular topic.

– Describe the researcher’s idea for a new study.

• An art which the researcher wants to sell in the market.

– Buyer needs to take it from the gallery.

– Suits to buyer’s pocket.

Why I need a research

proposal

• It is prerequisite for getting fund

• Needs approval from the committee to start the work

• It conceives the project

• It impresses the senior as a potential researcher

• It serves as a contract between the researcher and funder.

• Personal interest.

Steps for winning proposal G

ram

ma

r a

nd

sp

ell

ing

co

un

t Fo

rma

t an

d b

revity

are

imp

orta

nt

Principal Components of

Research Proposals

Properly fit with sponsorship view points

Research

Problem

Problem

Solver

Research Design

Basic concepts of research

proposal and Steps of research

proposal development

Translate your ideas notes

into a written proposal.

It is easier than you think

Tips for successful proposal writing

• Creating writing routine.

– Writing at the same time and place improves

the writing skills and efficiency.

• Write with a dictionary, thesaurus, style

manual on hand.

– Word has these resources automatically

programmed.

– Choose right wording for right meaning

Summary of Research Proposal

• Good – give a short but informative background to justify the

research hypothesis and objectives.

– Clearly state the hypothesis.

– State the objectives and/or aims of this proposal.

– State the impact, significance and innovation in this proposal.

– Define acronyms as much as possible.

• Reject – Technical and condensed phrasing of the project.

– No clear statement of what is the purpose of this study.

Be prepared for

• To make mistakes and to learn.

• To write and rewrite many times.

• To spend many hours looking for

information.

• To have your writing criticized.

• To feel confuse and hopeless some times.

Before start writing ……..

• Do I have the clear research question?

• Have I read broadly and deeply in that

area?

• Have I discussed the topic with peers?

• Have I enough time and fund to start?

• Do I feel support from faculty and friends?

Developing Research Questions

Is the scope of the study well focused?

Collecting too much data wastes time and money

Are the questions novel? Interesting? Useful?

Will the answers open up new areas of research?)

Are the research objectives feasible?

Time? Sample size? Technical expertise?

What it should contain? It is

based on your clear research

question.

Selecting Project - Ideal Project

Important and needed

Novel

Not too much controversy

You have a strong background

Doable

Large room for new methodology

You have plenty of preliminary data

Easy to establish a collaboration team

Selecting Project – Common Mistakes

•“I like this issue”

•Should be based on actual need

“This issue has not been studied”

Should be based on actual need

• “Although this is not new, I have been doing this for years”

• Innovation is critical

“I select this project because it doesn’t need new

methodology”

Should select a project that can use new

methods

• “Although it is controversial, I can resolve it”

• Should avoid too much controversy

“This issue has been resolved in other cell types, but

this is new to my cell type”

Innovation will be questioned

Conclusions

There is no secret to writing a

superior research proposal. Most

considerations are common sense

and come with experience. If you do

not succeed, try again. You need to

have an innovative idea that stands

out. Leveraging the budget and

doing your homework will help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

108

FAQ

1. We are a newly established company. Due to that nature, we are unable to provide certain documents that are required in the proposal form’s checklist. How can we proceed? In your application, please specify the document in question and provide specific reasons for its unavailability. However, this rule does not apply to the required fields in the application forms itself.

109

2. Can we use the fund to pay for employees salaries?

No. Pre Commercialisation Fund is to be used for development purposes only. Salary comes under operational costs and should be borne by the entity. Kindly also refer to the Pre Commercialisation Fund Guideline.

3. Once the project is approved, are we entitled to receive the entire approved amount? Entity is entitled to claim the entire approved amount, however, payment will be made in stages as agreed in the agreement. Initial payment will be made upon the return of signed duty-stamped agreement and subsequent payment will be on reimbursable basis upon completion of each milestones. MOSTI will identify the recommended amount to be reimbursed according to the physical progress and financial performance of the project.

110

4. Are we required to pay back the money once the project is completed?

Pre Commercialisation Fund is a 100% grant given to qualified applicants; hence, no repayment is needed. However, if the entity fails to abide the fund agreement and guidelines, MOSTI could take necessary action according to the agreement, i.e. including requires entity to repay the grant.

FAQ

111

5. Can we apply for extension of project completion date? Yes with reasons and strong justifications. The cluster has the rights to disallow time extensions if the justifications are not strong or raise any doubts.

FAQ

Thank You

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