“tips to write a winning grant...
TRANSCRIPT
“TIPS TO WRITE A WINNING GRANT
PROPOSAL”
15 January 2015 (Thursday)
9.00 am – 10.30 am
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Sharif bin Mustaffa Director, Counselling Centre
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Solution-based research
CoE-based research
Institutional- based research
Single-disciplinary & trans-disciplinary
MALAYSIA LABORATORIES FOR ACADEMIA-BUSINESS
COLLABORATION (MyLAB) (3rd Tier for Excellence)
Project-based research
Programme-based research
TRGS, NRGS-KPM
UNIVERSITI PENYELIDIK
AN (RU)
FRGS,ERGS, PRGS, RAGS, RACE,HEPS, GSP-KPM
Pusat Kecemerlangan (HiCoE) 2nd tier of excellence
LRGS (multi-institutional & multi-disciplinary)
MOE Research Programmes
• Fundamental Research Grant Scheme • Output : theory, concept, new idea • Research that answer the question ‘Why’ and
‘How • Research carried out to increase understanding of
fundamental principles. • End results have no direct or immediate
commercial benefits: basic research can be thought of as arising out of issues.
• However, in the long term it is the basis for many commercial products and applied research.
• Maximum RM250,000 and project duration of 1 to 3 years.
FRGS
FRGS Grant
• Trans Disciplinary Research Grant Scheme • Encompasses fundamental and exploratory
research • The objective of TRGS is to boost generation of
theories, exploration of new ideas, new concepts or theories that will be catalyst for new discoveries and innovative creations that can further expand the boundaries of knowledge
• Minimum 3 projects from different research clusters under 1 program
• Maximum amount of RM 1.5M for the program and duration of 3 years
• Program leader should be at least Prof or Prof Madya
TRGS
TRGS Grant
• Long Term Research Grant Scheme. • LRGS is fundamental research with more extensive
scope, and needs longer duration of more than 3 years. • Project must involve various institutions, minimum of 3
institutions. • Projects must be multi-disciplinary, involving the corpus
of science and technology, and social sciences & humanities.
• Head of program must be at least Professor or Assoc Prof.
• Submission of concept paper for initial evaluation, • PI and team members may be asked to present the
proposal orally. • Writing up of a full proposal for further review. • Long Term Research Grant Scheme
LRGS
LRGS Grant
• Prototype Development Research Grant Scheme
• Output : product that is not yet commercialized • PRGS is established to close the gap between
laboratory/research discoveries until before commercialization. This includes proof of concept, evaluation, up-scaling, pre-clinical testing and field testing
• Open to all research areas that have research output that require prototype development
• Maximum project duration of 2 years
PRGS
PRGS Grant
Science Fund
TechnoFund
InnoFund
Grant provided by Government to carry out R&D projects that can contribute to the discovery of new ideas and the advancement of knowledge in applied sciences, focusing on high impact and innovative research
Max budget RM 500,000 Duration : 3 years
Funding for technology development, up to pre-commercialisation stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses and generate economic wealth for the nation
RM1.5M to RM3.0M Duration : Max 30 months
Development or improvement of new or existing products, processes or services with elements of innovation. The project must have economic value and improves the societal well-being of the community
RM 50k for Individual, and RM 500k for Micro/ Small companies
MOSTI Grant Scheme
Research Proposal Write Up
Contents 1. Project title
2. Research information 3. Executive summary
5. Objective of research
6. Research background
4. Methodology
7. Expected results/benefits
8. Budget
• For new researchers, include experienced researchers and vice versa as members.
• Related ongoing/completed research for the past 3 years.
Research Information
Executive Summary
Precise and concise, limit to 300 words
Include statement of problem, methodology,
objectives, and significance/output of the
research in brief.
Concise and compact, no
citation.
Evaluators tend to only read this when time is
limited.
Clear and specific objectives using result-oriented words, e.g., o To develop …, o To determine …, o To define …. o To assess …
Reflects the fundamental solution/output to the problem
Objectives should be carried out within the duration of the grant
Objective of the research
Introduce the research area Cover the main words in the title Relate to previous study State the problem statement, research question/hypothesis,
literature review and relevant references State the significance and uniqueness in work Must indicate potential for success
Research background
Include all relevant details What you plan to do to achieve research objectives How, when & why Study area Equipment used Sample size/no of tests to be done
Divide the study into several phases Provide the flow chart and Gantt chart of the research
activities Milestones and dates
• Activity for every 6 months • Highlights the output of the research activities • Provided in tabular form
Methodology
REJECTED PROPOSAL
Sample of Proposals (FRGS)
A Developing Model of Eclectic Therapy among Rural Children with Anxiety Disorders and Group Guidance Framework to
Parents and Teachers in Malaysia.
Sample of Proposals (FRGS)
Sample of Proposals (FRGS)
Kajian Perbandingan Faktor Risiko Remaja dan Belia Terlibat Dengan Penyalahgunaan Bahan di Kawasan Bandar dan
Luar Bandar.
Sample of Proposals (FRGS)
Penghayatan Jemaah Terhadap Khutbah Jumaat
Negeri Johor
Sample of Proposals (FRGS)
Kualiti Pengurusan Penyiasatan Jenayah
FRGS TRGS LRGS PRGS
Publications
2 indexed journals
Atleast 8 indexed publications with 2 of them in Q1
50 publications in indexed journals
Prototype that has successfully obtained pre-commercialization and commercialization grant
Human Capital
3 years – 1 PhD or 2 Master 2 years – 1 Master 1 year – 1 Master
4 PhD or 8 Masters students
10 PhD students per project
-
Intellectual Property
- 1 IP for each program
3 IP per Program 1 IP
Expected Results/benefit Novel theories/knowledge – in line with the objective State the expected number of academic publication State the specific or potential application Number of research students
Budget
Put items in their right vot
Follow guideline on capping and specify details of each items in budget
Read the instructions properly because they keep on changing it from phase to phase due
to constructive feedbacks
Vote 11000 (salary and wages)
• Salary and allowances for Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) only.
• Maximum RM2300 for PhD and RM1800 for Master
Vote 21000 (travelling expenses and subsistence)
• Data collection and meeting within the country
• For national and international conferences as presenter
• Lodging, food, flight and taxi fares
V-Series Description
• Building, equipment, transport, etc.
Vote 24000 (rental)
Vote 27000 (research materials and supplies)
• books, journals, papers, chemicals, animals, etc.
V-Series Description
Vote 28000 (maintenance and minor repair)
• sand, cement, building, lab, equipment, etc.
• printing, honorarium, consultation, training (<3 months), fees
Vote 29000 (professional services)
Vote 35000 (equipment)
• special equipment (e.g. camera, tape recorder), upgrading of existing equipment, computer, printer
V-Series Description
Internal Assessment Department/Faculty/Research Alliance level University level Internal assessment improves the quality of grant submissions
External Assessment Sponsor level Many constraints
o Num of proposals, allocation available o Find mistakes/weaknesses
Proposal Assessment
Applicants must have good research track records: publications & previous findings.
Research leader and team capability.
Viability of research plan.
The budget proposed must be reasonable.
Utilization of existing / available infrastructure
Evaluation Criteria
“ Well written with clear objective, unfortunately there is lack of fundamental research and more towards applied research in nature”
Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals
“Questionnaire survey is the main component of research. Not suitable for FRGS”
“Not clearly stated problem statement and objectives. In addition, does not fit into the sub cluster and no supporting documents presented on the status of the on- going FRGS projects”
“Methodology not comprehensive, lacking in details and not clearly presented”
“The proposal does not address the intended scope of study. The literature review is not only extremely long but
rather non relevant”
“Fundamental issues were addressed but the area is not in the cutting edge.
Furthermore, fundamental issues in this area were already addressed in many
previous research.”
Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals
“The research proposal does not indicate that it is in line with the government
policy.”
“Not fundamental issues, not proven track record, and research methodology is
unclear.”
“The title does not directly reflective of the proposed contents of the work. Literature reviews and methodology
provided is too brief.”
Evaluator’s Comments on Rejected Proposals
Completion and submission
Write up, discuss, review and rewrite
Organise ideas, literature review, study design and integration of specific aims
into a roadmap
Decide on funding body; familiarise with application procedure
Reference : Prof Choo Kong Bung (2012), FMHS-CSCR Research Workshop 2012 https://www.academia.edu/3238411/Writing_an_impactful_FRGS_proposal_-_examples
Research proposal write up : summary
Keys to good proposal
Reference : Prof Choo Kong Bung (2012), FMHS-CSCR Research Workshop 2012 https://www.academia.edu/3238411/Writing_an_impactful_FRGS_proposal_-_examples
Clear and concise • Good command of language
Evidence-based and logical • Avoid wild speculation
Relevant • Avoid unnecessary information
Winning Strategy
Good strategy • Research proposal is in line with national research
agenda • Wireless sensor network, predictive analytics, 3-D
internet (multimedia digital content) • Agriculture – precision farming, halal food,
bioinformatics • Services – Islamic finance, logistics, tourism, healthcare • Manufacturing – automotive, nano technology
Smart strategy • Bring big person in • Bring various expertise in • If possible, all level of academics are included • Good publication backup • Good relevant research • Straight forward mention how the research is in-line with
National Research Agenda
Very smart strategy • Use your 1st year PhD Student’s potential research work
Winning Strategy –cont’d
Thank You Q&A