Mauritius Research

Council

Unsolicit
ed
Research and
Innovation Grant
Scheme

Guidelines to Applicants
 MRC
URIGS
Oct
2016
PRIVACY
STATEMENT

The information requested on these proposal forms is solicited under the authority
of the Mauritius Research Council Act No. 10 of 1992, in pursuance of the
coordination and promotion of research and the commercialization of research
outputs. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualifed proposals and
may be disclosed to specialist reviewers and MRC staff as part of the review
process, award decisions, or the administration of awards.
 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 TERMINOLOGIES 1
2. OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEME 1
2.1 DURATION AND LIMIT OF FUNDING 1
2.2 THE PROPOSAL 1
2.3 WHO MAY SUBMIT PROPOSALS 1
2.4 WHEN TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS 2
2.5 HOW TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS 2
3. PROPOSAL PREPARATION 2
3.1 CONFORMITY WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION 2
3.2 FORMAT OF THE PROPOSAL 2
3.2.1 Cover Sheet 2
3.2.2 Project Summary 2
3.2.3 Project Justifcation 3
3.2.4 Project Description 3
3.2.5 Project Activities, Cost Components and Milestones 3
3.2.6 Validation and Dissemination of Results 3
3.2.7 Prior Research Work 3
3.2.8 Results from Previous MRC Support 4

3.2.9 Bibliographic References cited 4

4. METHOD OF SELECTION AND EVALUATION CRITERIA 4

4.1 ADMINISTRATIVE SCREENING 4
4.2 MERIT REVIEW 4
4.3 SELECTION FOR AWARD 5
5. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 5
5.1 PAYMENTS AND MONITORING PROCESS 5

5.2 PROGRESS REPORTS 5

5.3 DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS 5

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF GRANT ADMINISTRATION 6

6.1 CONTRATING PARTIES 6

6.2 OBJECTIVES 6

6.3 PAYMENT AND REALLOCATION OF FUNDS 6

6.4 FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 6

6.5 EQUIPMENT AND MOVEMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL 6

6.6 REPORTING 7

6.7 DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS, DATA AND OTHER RESEARCH OUTPUT 7

6.8 ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF SUPPORT AND DISCLAIMER 7

6.9 RELEASE OF INFORMATION 7

6.10 LEGAL RIGHTS TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 8

6.11 SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF GRANTS 8

APPENDIX A - CHECKLIST FOR

PROPOSAL PREPARATION APPENDIX B -

PROPOSAL FORMS KIT

APPENDIX C - PROGRESS REPORT: TECHNICAL

APPENDIX D - FORMAT OF FINAL REPORT

APPENDIX E - REVIEWER EVALUATION

CRITERIA
 1. registered with the Industrial and Vocational
INTRODUCTIO Training Board (IVTB).
N
Provider Institution: The institution through
The Mauritius Research Council (MRC) is an which a research proposal is channeled or
apex parastatal organisation established in through which the research will be
1992 by an Act of the National Assembly (Act undertaken. It is normally the institution
No. 10, 1992). The activities of the Council are where the Principal Investigator (PI) is
focused on the main objective of promoting, employed. The Head of the provider institution
coordinating and exploiting research with a and the PI are signatories to the contract with
view to sharpening the competitive edge of the MRC and have responsibilities that are
industries for sustainable economic and social detailed in the section on General Conditions
growth. To that end, the Council operates a of Grant Administration.
number of Research Grant Schemes. In
2. OVERVIEW OF THE
particular, this brochure details the
Unsolicited Research and Innovation SCHEME
Grant Scheme (URIGS) whereby research
and innovative ideas and proposals on all The URIGS is essentially a bottom-up approach
aspects of Mauritius industrial, business, to the promotion and exploitation of research
economic and social sectors may be forwarded and innovation, whereby the Council, invites
to the Council for funding consideration. researchers and research institutions to submit
proposal. Proposals that are multi-disciplinary
1.1 and involve inter-institutional or inter-
TERMINOLOGIES departmental collaboration are particularly
encouraged. Preference will be given to
Principal Investigator (PI): The PI is the applicants submitting an innovative application
single individual, designated by the provider with commercial potential in collaboration with
institution in a grant application, who is other institutions. Proposals are selected for
responsible for the scientific and technical funding based on their potential research and
direction of the project. innovative value and strategic importance.
Innovation: Innovation means both radical
and incremental changes to products, 2.1 DURATION AND LIMIT OF FUNDING
processes or services, including the
implementation of a new or signifcantly Under this scheme, the maximum duration of a
project is of three years for a funding amount
improved product (good or service), or
not exceeding Rs 3 million.
process, a new marketing method, or a new
organizational method in business practices, 2.2 THE PROPOSAL
workplace organization or external relations.
A proposal should
Research: Any activity which is a systematic,
present the:
intensive study directed toward greater
knowledge or understanding of the subject to
objectives and scientific or other
be studied or a systematic study directed
significance of the proposed work;
specifically towards applying new knowledge to
meet a recognized award. suitability of the methods to be
employed;
Development: a systematic application of qualifications and experience of the PI and
knowledge towards the production of useful the provider institution;
materials, devices, systems, processes or impact of the activity on the sector or the
methods, including design and improvement of country;
prototypes to meet specific requirements. and
amount of funding
Research Institution: Any organisation required.
involved in research and/or teaching and/or
training at post- secondary level. This includes It should describe the merits of the proposed
all the tertiary institutions, polytechniques, project clearly. There should be suffcient
government and private research institutions information, prepared with the care and
and all post-secondary training institutions thoroughness of a paper submitted for
6
publication, so that reviewers are able to 2.5 HOW TO SUBMIT
evaluate the proposal in accordance with the PROPOSALS
merit review criteria established by the Council.
Proposals should be submitted on prescribed
A checklist for proposal preparation is provided forms located at Appendix B of this document.
at Appendix A as a guide to ensure that Applications (soft copy version and original
proposals are complete before submission to hard copy version) should be sent to the
MRC. address below either by post or delivered to
the Council on weekdays, except on public
holidays, between 8.45a.m. and 4.00p.m.
2.3 WHO MAY SUBMIT
PROPOSALS? THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR MAURITIUS
Individuals or teams usually initiate proposals RESEARCH COUNCIL
which are then officially submitted through LEVEL 6, EBENE HEIGHTS
their employing organisations (provider 34,
institution). Under this scheme, graduate CYBERCITY
students are not encouraged to submit EBENE
research proposals but can serve as research MAURITIUS
assistants. In exceptional circumstances, the .
Council may consider a proposal submitted by
an individual with no institutional support. Tel:
(230)4651235
Before preparing a formal submission, Fax:
prospective applicants may discuss their (230)4651239
project ideas with MRC staff. This will enable E-mail:
them to verify the relevance of their proposal [email protected]
with the MRCs areas of priority/interest as well
as to ensure its originality.
Application forms can be made available on
In principle, any individual may submit a softcopy or by e-mail on request. The
proposal, but preference will be given to guidelines for preparing a research project
proposals that are supported by the following proposal are explained in the following
institutions/organisations: section.
the Tertiary Education Institutions, and
Polytechnics;
any Technical or Training Institutions
registered with the MITD; 3. PROPOSAL
government and non-governmental PREPARATION
organisations;
and 3.1 CONFORMITY WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR
PROPOSAL PREPARATION
private
companies. It is important that all proposals conform to
the instructions provided in this section and
the Proposal Forms Kit at Appendix B.
2.4 WHEN TO SUBMIT Proposals that are not consistent with these
PROPOSALS instructions will need to be amended before
consideration by MRC.
Proposals may be submitted at any time to the
MRC. Processing will normally require three (3) 3.2 FORMAT OF THE
months. However, there may be cases where, PROPOSAL
because of the complexity of a proposal, more Proposals in A4 paper must be stapled in the
time may be required for processing. Funding upper left hand corner or have a simple
will be subject to the availability of resources binding. The type size must be clear and
and other considerations explained below. readily legible in standard size, preferably 10
to 12 points. All the pages of the proposal
should be numbered and the proposal must be
assembled in the sequence given in the
7
Proposal Forms Kit. The proposal must follow research be successful, including the
the format outlined in Forms 1010 and 1015 of significance of the research base to attract
Appendix B. follow-up investment, and stimulate or
achieve innovation. Indicate if any clearance
3.2.1 Cover or authorization is required before undertaking
Sheet the research.

Cover sheet (Form1010) is available on 3.2.4 Project

softcopy. This gives basic information on the Description
project. The title of the project should not
exceed thirty words, be scientifically or
This should be the main body of the proposal
technically valid, intelligible to a scientifically or
and should state clearly the work to be
technically literate reader and suitable for use
undertaken. It must include: objectives of the
in the public press. MRC may edit the title of a
proposed work, relation to the present state of
project before making an award.
knowledge in the field; relation to longer-term
national goals and to work in progress
The proposed duration for which support is elsewhere. The statement should outline the
requested should be consistent with the nature
general plan of work, including the broad
and complexity of the proposed activities. design of activities to be undertaken, an
Grants are normally awarded for up to three
adequate description of the methodology or
years under this scheme. procedures to be adopted. Each item of
information should be typed with an
Specification of a desired start date for the appropriate heading.
project is important. However, requests for
specific dates may not be met except in special Any substantial collaboration with
situations. Requested effective dates should
individuals/institutions should be documented
allow at least 3 months from the date of with a letter from each collaborator,
submission for review, processing and decision
describing his or her contribution to the
by MRC. project. The letter is to be provided as
supplementary documentation. Brevity will
3.2.2 Project assist reviewers and MRC staff in dealing
Summary effectively with proposals. The description
may not exceed 15 pages. Visual materials,
The proposal must contain a summary of the including charts, graphs, maps, photographs
proposed activity, of not more than one page in and other pictorial presentations are included
length. The summary should be a self- in the 15-page limitation.
contained description of the activity written in
the third person and include a statement of
objectives, methods to be employed and the 3.2.5 Project Activities, Cost
potential impact of the project. It should be Components and
informative to other persons working in the Milestones
same or related fields and understandable to a
scientifically or technically literate reader.
The proposal shall include a detailed
justification and breakdown of activities over
the duration of the project together with the
various items of expenditure (cost
components). Project milestones will have to
be identified for reporting and monitoring
3.2.3 Project
purposes. These are more fully described
Justification
below.

Make a clear statement of the specific research (i) Activities and cost
problem or opportunity to be addressed and its components
importance. Describe the overall background
and technical approach to the problem or The PI will be required to split the proposal
opportunity and how the proposed research will into a maximum of 10 activities representing
provide the anticipated results. Highlight the the critical steps of the project. The duration
innovativeness and originality of the research. of each activity will normally be from one
State the anticipated results and potential month to six months.
commercial applications (if any) should the

8
 The total cost associated with any activity must work already in progress at the institution or
be broken down into a maximum of ten pre- at collaborating institutions.
defined cost items. Full justification for each
item of expenditure should be provided. The PI should, as far as possible, ensure that
the proposed p ro j e c t does not duplicate work
The Project Scheduling and Cost Breakdown in progress or done elsewhere. A literature
Form (Form review or a patent search report may be
1020) should be used to summarise activity included. In some cases, the MRC may assist
details and prospective PI to make state of the art search
Cost components. In case the project is jointly report through Foreign Patent Offices.
funded, each activity must be funded by only
one funding agency.

(ii) Milestones

For monitoring purposes, project milestones will 3.2.8 Results from Previous
be fnalized by the Council in consultation with MRC Support
the PI prior to the approval of the project and
will be part of the contract. Each milestone will Previous support received by the PI from the
correspond to a period of time and will consist MRC in the past five years must be detailed.
of a set of activities. The milestones of the The following information should be provided:
project will be presented according to the
format of Form 1030: Project Milestones. a. the MRC award number, if any, amount
of funding and period of support;
A period may last from 1 month to six months b. the title of the project;
and must include at least one and a maximum c. a summary of the results of the
of 3activities. At the end of each milestone, completed work, including, for an
the PI will be required to submit:
innovative research project, the
(i) A progress report covering the activities utilization made of the results; and
d. any publication resulting from the
undertaken during the milestone period
MRC award.
and the findings of the research and
innovation; and
If the proposal is for renewed support, a
(ii) A statement of actual expenses and a
description of the relation of the completed
request of funds for the next milestone work to the proposed work is required. Results
period, if any. may be summarized in fewer than five pages,
which would give the proposer the balance of
3.2.6 Validation and the 15 pages to describe the new project.
Dissemination of Results
3.2.9 Bibliographic
The proposal should contain an outline of how it References Cited
is proposed to validate and/or disseminate the
results of the research. It should identify the Reference information is required. Each
main stakeholders likely to participate in the reference must include the title, name of
process. An indicative costing may be given but authors in the same sequence in which they
this should not form part of the total cost of the
appear in the publication, book or journal,
project.
volume number, page numbers and year of
publication. PI's should be especially careful to
The authorization of the Council should be follow accepted scholarly practices in
requested in writing before results of the providing citations for source materials relied
project are made public. upon when preparing any section of the
proposal.

3.2.7 Prior
Research Work
4. METHOD OF SELECTION AND
The PI should describe his experience relating EVALUATION CRITERIA
to the proposed research work and any related

9
 The following section describes the selection area or urgent issue? Does the activity explore
process and the criteria that will be used to areas of strategic interest to the country? How
evaluate project proposals. will the project contribute to industry growth
and competitiveness, and promote social
harmony?
4.1 ADMINISTRATIVE
SCREENING (iii)
Manageability
MRC will review each proposal to determine if it
What is the ability of the research and
satisfies the requirements laid down in section
innovation team to carry out the activity
3. If the information provided is insufficient, a
within the time frame and budget? What are
request for further information will be sent to
the qualifications of the PI, and other key staff,
the PI or a meeting maybe convened to discuss
including the strength of their commitments?
the proposal. Is there sufficient access to resources? Is the
provider institution capable of supporting the
When all information is available a preliminary research?
internal assessment is carried out by the MRC.
The MRC will also have recourse to external (iv) Potential f or
assessors, either foreign or local to ensure the Application
originality and feasibility of the research.
What will be the benefits of the proposed
activity to society? Are there any potential
commercial partners? What is the local ability
4.2 MERIT REVIEW
to exploit the results? Will the results be
disseminated broadly to enhance scientific,
Independent assessors in the appropriate field technological and other understanding?
will evaluate duly completed applications in a
process of merit review. Reviewers will be from
Universities, Government, Research
Laboratories and Industry, both local and
overseas. Reviewers will remain anonymous to
(v) Capacity
the PI's but all pertinent comments will be
shared with them. Building

In all instances, proposals will be handled on a To what extent will the activity enhance the
confidential basis and care taken to avoid infrastructure for research? Will there be
conflict of interests. Evaluation will be technology transfer and training? Will the
confidential to the MRC and to the PI's. For the activity foster synergy between institutions?
merit review process, approximately equal
weight will be given to each of the following PI's are requested to take the above into
five criteria: account when drafting their proposals to
facilitate the selection and evaluation
processes. They should submit full details as
(i) Intellectual
requested in the forms in Appendix B as well
Merit
as CV's of not more than two pages each for
the PI and other team members.
What is the scientific, engineering or other
quality of the proposed project? How important
is the proposed activity to advancing 4.3 SELECTION FOR AWARD
knowledge and understanding within its own
field or across different fields. What is the
degree of innovativeness of the proposed Once external assessments are received, a
activity? How well conceived and organized is selection meeting is held at the Council where,
the proposed activity? if applicable, the internal assessment is
compared with the assessor's evaluation. This
(ii) Relevance to National may lead to one of the following
priority recommendations to the Board of the Council:

To what extent will the research produce (i) Approval for full
benefits to Mauritius? Who are the potential funding
users and customers and how will they benefit? (ii) Approval for partial
Does the activity address a current problem funding
10
 (iii) Not
approved. The PI must submit a progress report at the
end of each milestone.
In case of partial funding, the PI is convened to Progress reports should be submitted in pre-
a meeting at the Council to explore the defined formats as detailed in Appendix C and
feasibility of carrying out the project within the would consist of 2 sections:
funding proposed by the MRC. The PI will have
to submit a revised proposal along the lines of (i) Technical achievement report
any agreement reached. (Form1035)
(ii) Details of expenditure
In case of full funding, there may be an optional (Form1040)
meeting to discuss the modalities of
implementation and funding. In case there are The technical achievement report
modifications to the original proposal, the PI should consist of at least five typed A4
will be requested to resubmit a detailed sheets.
proposal.
Monitoring of progress is based on activities
When MRC is not able to fund an innovative and the progress report should focus on
research project, the PI may be informed of the activities during the period under review.
reason(s) thereof.
At the end of the project, the PI must submit a
fnal report as well as a layman's summary in
5. PROJECT prescribed formats as at Appendix D: Final
IMPLEMENTATION report and Form 1050.

The project is initiated by signature of a Together with the final project report, a
contract between the Council and the Head of layman's summary of between 5 and 20 A4
the provider institution and the PI. pages typed paper should be submitted to
MRC. This summary may be published as a
5.1 PAYMENTS AND MONITORING public document.
PROCESS
Apart from the periodic progress report, a
summary progress report is required in August
A first instalment is paid upfront by the MRC to
each year for the MRC's Annual Report. This
enable the mobilization of resources. The
should be in a non-technical format and
provider institution shall be responsible for the
between150-200 words.
management of all funds provided by the MRC.

After the first milestone of the project, the PI

5.3 DISSEMINATION OF
must submit a progress report constituting a
RESULTS
comprehensive technical record of the tasks
undertaken and results achieved.
On completion of a project, the PI is convened
The Council may resort to external assessors for a meeting to discuss possible follow-up
for evaluation of the technical progress report. actions. Depending on the type of project,
The management of the Council may at any there may be one or more of the following
time during the project convene the PI and actions to diffuse the findings of the research
team members for a meeting at the Council or and innovation.
at the provider organisation to monitor
progress of the research. (i) A public
seminar;
nd
The 2 instalment is released by the MRC if the (ii) A workshop with stakeholders who may
progress report is considered satisfactory and benefit from the research and
all expenditures incurred are certified correct innovation; and/or
and relevant supporting vouchers submitted by (iii) Publication of a summary for wider
the provider institution.
diffusion.

5.2 PROGRESS
REPORTS

11
6. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF statement from the provider institution
GRANT ADMINISTRATION certifying the correctness of
expenditures incurred.
The administration of grants is governed by the 6.3.2 In exceptional cases, it may be possible
general conditions laid down below. to reallocate funds from one period to
another and from one item to another
subject to formal approval by the MRC.
6.1 CONTRACTING
PARTIES

6.1.1 The contract will be signed between

the MRC represented by the Executive
6.4 FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
Director on the one side, the provider
institution represented by its Head and
the PI on the other side. The provider 6.4.1 All financial transactions must be
institution shall ensure the smooth carried out in accordance with the
implementation of the innovative accounting and audit procedures of the
research project. The PI shall provide provider institution. This includes tender
the technical leadership for the project. procedures.

6.1.2 The contract will be in the form of an 6.4.2 No purchases may be made of items
exchange of letters between the other than those agreed upon unless
contracting parties. All Annexes are there is formal agreement between the
deemed to be part of the contract. contracting parties.

6.4.3 Applicant must provide a letter of

6.1.3 The offer of funding by the MRC will
support from provider institution which
automatically lapse if it is not signed
clearly states that the institution
within three (3) months of its dispatch
supports the applicant as well as their
from the MRC. Likewise, if no activities
willingness to administer the funds if
have been undertaken within the first 3
the proposal is successful.
months after signature of the contract
by the contracting parties, any advance
payment made shall be returned to the
MRC and the project cancelled unless an
6.5 EQUIPMENT AND MOVEMENT OF PROJECT
acceptable justification for the delay is
PERSONNEL
given.

6.5.1 All equipment purchased under MRC

6.2 OBJECTIVES grant scheme remains the property of
MRC unless otherwise decided. Overseas
travelling, recruitment of Research
6.2.1 The objectives of the project are as laid Assistants and travelling of foreign
down in the agreed project document. researchers to Mauritius are subject to
authorization by the MRC and the
6.2.2 Provision is made for revising the provider institution.
objectives of the innovative research
project if special circumstances dictate
subject to the approval of MRC.
6.5.2 If a PI plans to leave an organisation
during the course of a project, the
provider institution has the prerogative
6.3 PAYMENT AND REALLOCATION OF FUNDS
to nominate a qualified replacement PI
or request that the grant be
6.3.1 Once the contract is signed, at start upon terminated. Replacement PI's are
first installment amounting to the sum subject to MRC's approval.
indicated for the first period will be paid
upfront upon request. This is followed by 6.5.3 In those cases where a particular PI
subsequent installments on agreed dates participation is integral to a given
usually at the beginning of each period, project, and the PI's original and new
subject to receipt by MRC of a organisations agree, MRC may arrange
satisfactory progress report, and a for the transfer of the grant and the
12
 assignment of the remaining
unobligated funds to the PI's new 6.7 DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS, DATA AND
organisation. OTHER RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
OUTPUT
6.5.4 Upon transfer of the grant to the new
organisation, any monetary
6.7.1 MRC advocates and encourages open
discrepancies must be resolved between
the provider institution and new grantee. scientific communication. Wherever
MRC reserves the right to resolve the applicable, MRC expects significant
situation in case its interests are affected findings from supported research to be
by such discrepancies. promptly submitted for publication with
authorship that accurately reflects the
contributions of those involved. The MRC
6.5.5 This grant allows for the salaries of no
may also publish research results in its
more than 3 Research Assistants.
newsletter.

6.7.2 The MRC also encourages grantees to

6.6 REPORTING share information regarding software
and inventions, once appropriate
6.6.1 At the end of each milestone the PI will protection for these has been secured.
submit to the MRC a progress report Otherwise it will ensure that the
constituting a comprehensive technical innovations they embody are widely
record of the tasks undertaken and the useful and usable.
results achieved.
6.7.3 Any request for a summary of a
6.6.2 These reports will be used by MRC as completed project must be made
the basis for assessing the level of through a formal written request. Full
achievement of the objectives and the copies of final report are normally not
project as a whole. They will also be made public but are available for
used in any independent in-depth review consultation at the Council.
the MRC may decide to conduct from
time to time in order to check the
authenticity and quality of the work 6.8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT AND
undertaken. DISCLAIMER

6.6.3 In the event of an unsatisfactory report, 6.8.1 An acknowledgement of MRC support

MRC will discuss the issue with the PI to and disclaimer must appear in
resolve matters, failing which MRC publications (including World Wide Web
reserves the right to stop further pages) of any material, whether
disbursement of funds. copyrighted or not, based on or
developed under MRC supported
6.6.4 Assessment of and comments on all projects.
reports will be made available in writing
to the PI. 6.8.2 All final reports must carry the
following acknowledgement on the
6.6.5 A draft final report must be submitted cover page:
within one month of completion of the
project. This final report should This material is based on work
constitute a substantive record of the supported by the
whole project. The draft final report will Mauritius Research Council under
be supplemented by a laymans award number
summary of a maximum of 20 pages.
This laymans summary may be ..
published as a public document.
Any opinion, findings and conclusions
6.6.6 The final project report should contain the
or recommendations expressed in this
technical information needed by MRC for publication are those of the author(s)
informing government and the public
and do not necessarily reflect the
about the results of the activities it views of the MRC.
supports.
6.9 RELEASE OF INFORMATION
13
 6.9.1 A proposal that results in an MRC award 6.10.1According to the MRC Act, all
can be made available to the public upon intellectual property arising out of
a written request, except for privileged Council resources shall be vested in the
information or material that is personal, Council.
proprietary or otherwise exempt from
disclosure under law. Such confidential 6.10.2The intellectual property belonging to
information should be clearly identified in the Council may be made available for
proposals. use by the PI and the provider
institution organisation on such terms
6.9.2 Such information will be withheld from as may be agreed.
public disclosure to the extent permitted
by law. Without assuming any liability
for in advertent disclosure, MRC will 6.11 SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OR
seek to limit disclosure of such GRANTS
information to its employees and to
outside reviewers when necessary for
MRC grants may be suspended or terminated
merit review of the proposal.
in accordance with procedures contained in
the contract. Grants may also be terminated
by mutual agreement.

6.9.3 Information contained in unsuccessful

proposals will remain the property of the
PI, but MRC will retain file copies of all
proposals.

6.10 LEGAL RIGHTS TO INTELLECTUAL The MRC reserves the right to revise and
PROPERTY amend the terms and conditions laid down in
this guideline as and whenever necessary.
APPENDIX A

CHECKLIST FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION

CHECKLIST FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION

Does the proposal meet the following requirements? Please tick the boxes on the right-hand
side and provide a valid justifcation if document has not been included in application form.

NO
REQUIREMENTS YES Please provide a
justification

Total Project Value

Amount Requested

Project duration not exceeding 3 years

Project Summary

Project Justification

14
 Project Description

Project Activities, Cost Components and Milestones

Project Scheduling and Cost Breakdown (Form

1020)

Project Milestones (Form 1030)

Validation and Dissemination of Results

Prior Research Work undertaken by PI

Result of previous work financed by MRC, if any

Referees (2 -3 names)

Project proposal or similar project submitted to any

other organisation for full or partial funding?

Facilities, equipment and other resources

Similar proposals submitted for funding in the past

CV of PI

CV of Team Member(s) If Applicable

Written clearances/authorisations and agreement

from head of institution (if applicable)

List of Bibliographic References

Soft Copy version of proposal submitted (CVs &

Related forms included)

Original Hard Copy version submitted

Letter of support from provider institution including

willingness of this institution to administer the fund
if applicant is successful

Proof of registration of collaborating institution, if

applicable, with either Registrar of
Companies/Associations for at least 1 year

All forms duly signed

I, .............................................................................., the undersigned applicant, understand that failure

to submit the required documents, without a valid justifcation, may result in my application being
rejected.

15
Date.........................................
Signature...............................................................

16
 APPENDIX B

PROPOSAL FORMS KIT

Section

1 Cover Sheet Form: 1010. Notes have been included under

relevant headings in the softcopy to facilitate the
submission of required information

2 Project description Form: 1015

3 Project scheduling and cost breakdown Form: 1020. Notes have been included under
relevant headings in the softcopy to facilitate the
submission of required information

4 Project Milestones Form: 1030. Notes have been included under

relevant headings in the softcopy to facilitate the
submission of required information

5 Format of CV Use the established norm in preparing

CV's

PROJECT MONITORING FORMS

1 Progress Report: Technical Form: 1035

Achievement Report

2 Progress Report: Details of Form: 1040

Expenditure
 (Form1010)

MAURITIUS RESEARCH COUNCIL

Unsolicited Research and Innovation
Grant Scheme COVER SHEET

DATE RECEIVED FOR MRC USE ONLY

DATE ACKNOWLEDGED

MRC PROPOSAL NUMBER ASSIGNED TO

PROJECT TITLE:

Priority Area:

REQUESTED AMOUNT PROPOSED DURATION

...Months

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME TITLE: MR/MRS/DR/PROF/MISS

ADDRESS TEL:
FAX:
E-MAIL:

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS TITLE: MR/MRS/DR/PROF/MISS

ADDRESS TEL:
FAX:
E-MAIL:

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS TITLE: MR/MRS/DR/PROF/MISS

ADDRESS: TEL:
FAX:
E-MAIL:
NAMEOF INSTITUTION:

ADDRESS:

TEL: FAX: E-MAIL:

FORM 1010
 (FORM 1015)

FORMAT OF PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Project Summary

This should be a technical abstract of the proposal not to exceed one page.

2. Project Justification (see paragraph 3.2.3)

To attach proofs of clearances/authorization to undertake the research, if any.

3. Project Description

To insert a maximum of 15 pages. Each relevant item of information should have

appropriate headings (e.g. objectives, issues to be addressed, scope of work, methodology,
relevance to national objectives, current state of knowledge in the field, output expected,
etc).

4. Project Activities, Cost Components and Milestones

Use forms 1020 and 1030 to give the requested information. Provide detailed information
and justification for all items of expenditure under this heading.

5. Validation and Dissemination of results

Give an indication of how this will be done and who will be involved.

6. Prior Research work undertaken by PI

Experience of the PI relating to the proposed research project.

Related work already in progress at the institution or at collaborating institutions

7. Result of previous work financed by MRC, if any

8. Referees

(Give 2-3 names and addresses of referees)

9. This project proposal or a similar one, been submitted to any other organisation for
either full or partial funding?

If yes, please state the organisation, the level of funding sought and the response. Also
indicate for what particular component of the project is MRC funding being sought.

10. Facilities, equipment and other resources. (Identify the facilities to be used at each
performances it listed and as appropriate, indicate their capacities, pertinent capabilities,
relative proximity and extent of availability to the project).

Computer
Software
Laboratoryequipment:
Office
Other
 FORM (1020)

PROJECT SCHEDULING AND COST BREAKDOWN

Project Title: Award No.:

PI: Starting date: Projected Completion date:

YEAR
ACTIVITIES
*1 MONTH
1 Problem identification
2 Equipment identification / familiarisation
3 Trials/Field tests
4 Analysis of results
5 Report writing
6
7
8
9
10
COST BREAKDOWN FOLLOWING COST
COMPONENTS FOR EACH OF THE 10 ACTIVITIES TOTAL PER ITEM
*2
ACTIVITIES ABOVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
*3
1 Consumables
*4
2 Equipment
3 Salaries (e.g. R.A or technician)
4 Local travel
*5
5 Overseas travel(exceptionally)
Documentation/publications (purchase
6 of related books for reference)
7 Others (specify)
TOTAL PER ACTIVITY
FUNDING SOURCE MRC OTHERS
REMARKS
1. A set of 10 activities maximum can be freely defined for a project.

2. The cost breakdown for each activity should be carried out following the predefined cost components. If the cost component of any particular item exceeds 50%of the Total Project Value , a detailed cost break down for that particular item should be
submitted.

3. Consumables can be stationery ,etc.

4. Equipment can be Laboratory equipment required for the proper implementation of the project .Details of equipment to be purchased should be submitted. IT equipment will not be covered under this scheme except for IT-driven projects that rely significantly on
the use of IT equipment. In this case, the PI needs to provide justification for any funding being requested in relation to IT equipment.

5. The Council funds overseas travel in exceptional cases only. Any request for funding of overseas travel should be justified by the PI.

Approval by MRC: Date: Approval by PI: Date:

*1.This list is indicative. Type in the activities relevant to the project.

*2.Type in the years
*3 Type in the first letter of the month
 (FORM 1030)

PROJECT MILESTONES

PROJECT TITLE: Award No.:

Starting date: Project Completion date:

PI:

ACTIVITIES (LISTED
MILESTONE:
MILESTONE DURATION IN FORM 1020
STARTING DATE (PROGRESS REPORT
TO BE CARRIED OUT
MRC FUNDING FUNDING BY OTHERS REMARKS
PERIOD (MONTHS)
DUE DATE)
DURING THE PERIOD)

10

Total Number of Total MRC Total Funding

Total Duration
Activities Funding Others
Approval by MRC: Date: Approval by PI: Date:

MRC FORM 1030

 APPENDIX C

(FORM1035)

PROGRESS REPORT
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT REPORT
Note: Please use the following format and ensure that the report is not less than 5 pages.

PI: AWARD NO.: STARTING PROJECTED

DATE: COMPLETION DATE:

TITLE:

Please include the following information:

1. OBJECTIVES:

A list of detailed activities in the period under review

2. WORK COMPLETED:

A report on the progress to date and their relationship to the general goals of the grant.
This section should include full details like designs and questionnaires, summary of new
data collected.

3. OUTSTANDING WORK:

A brief summary of the activities of the next period and how the activities of the period
under review link to the next period.

4. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY PI

A brief account of the problems encountered to achieve these objectives

I certify that to the best of my knowledge (1) the statements herein (excluding scientific
hypotheses and scientific opinions are true and complete (2) the text and graphics in this
report as well as any accompanying publications or other documents, unless otherwise
indicated are the original work of the signatories or individuals working under their
supervision.

PI signature:
 APPENDIXC
(Form 1040)
PROGRESS REPORT: DETAILS OF EXPENDITURE
 Award No.:
Project Title:
Starting Date: Projected Completion Date:
PI:
Total Actual
Period No.: Activities in Period Amount Amount
Budgeted Spent

ACTIVITY: ACTIVITY: ACTIVITY: TOTAL FOR PERIOD

ITEM Total
Balance
Budgeted Actual * Balance Budgeted Actual * Balance Budgeted Actual* Balance Budgeted Actual * available

1 Consumables
2 Equipment
3 Salaries (e.g. R.A or technician)
4 Local travel
5 Overseas travel
Documentation/publications
(purchase of related books for
6 reference)

7 Dissemination
8 Others (specify)
TOTALS

FUNDING SOURCE

Request for next period: Activities concerned: Total Amount requested: Amount approved for Amount not approved Actual payment for next
carryforward: for carryforward: period:

Date received: Checked by: Approved by: Remarks:

FOR MRC USE ONLY

MRC FORM1040

*NOTE: The provider institution is required to certify the appropriateness and correctness of all expenditure items and provide all relevant vouchers for expenses incurred and purchases effected.
 APPENDIX D
(Form 1050)

PI Name and Address

MAURITIUS RESEARCH COUNCIL

FINAL REPORT

PART I-PROJECT IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

1. Type the name of the MRC Scheme under which grant is made

2. Award Dates (MM/YYYY) From: To:

3. Organisation and Address

4. Award Number:

5. ProjectTitle

Mauritius Research Council

MRC Grant Conditions require submission of a Final Report to the MRC no later than 30
days after the expiration date of the award. Final Reports for expired awards must be
received before new awards can be made.

Use this format to provide a summary of the completed projects and technical information.
Be sure to include your name and award number on each separate page. See below for
more instructions.

PART II- SUMMARYOF COMPLETED PROJECT (for public use)

The summary (about200words) must be self-contained and intelligible to a scientifically or

technically literate reader. Without restating the project title, it should begin with a topic
sentence stating the project's major thesis. The summary should include, if pertinent to the
project being described, the following items:

The primary objectives and scope of the project

The techniques or approaches used only to the degree necessary for comprehension
The findings and implications stated as concisely and informatively as possible

PART III- TECHNICAL INFORMATION (for program management use)

List references to publications resulting from this award and describe in full primary data,
samples, physical collections, inventions, software, etc., created or gathered in the course
of the research and, if appropriate, how they are being made available to the research
community. This section should be limited to 30 pages.

I certify to the best of my knowledge (1) the statement herein (excluding scientific
hypotheses and scientific opinion) are true and complete, and (2) the text and graphics in
this report as well as any accompanying publications or other documents, unless otherwise
indicated, are the original work of the signatories or of individuals working under their
supervision. I understand that willfully making a false statement or concealing a material
fact in this report or any other communication submitted to MRC is a criminal offense.

Principal Investigator Signature: Date:

MRC Form 1050

Appendix E
Reviewer Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation of each proposal will be based on the criteria listed below:

1. Innovativeness of the proposal towards solving a particular problem(s)

2. Quality of the proposal in terms of clarity of the objectives and methodology to be used

3. Potential commercial application of the outcome of the project

4. Benefits accruing to a particular group or the society at large

5. Qualification of the proposer(s) - individual or team

6. Financial aspects

7. Potentials of the proposal to foster a research culture and develop a synergy among participants
Website: http://www.mrc.org.mu

Mauritius Research Council,

Level 6, Ebne Heights,
34 Cybercity,
Ebne

Tel: (230) 465 1235

Fax: (230) 465 1239
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mrc.org.mu