Appendix for UNIMAS Research Policy
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Appendix 4: ScienceFund Application Guidelines and Quality Prerequisites
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCEFUND
1.1 PURPOSE OF SCIENCEFUND
The ScienceFund supports R&D projects which can generate new knowledge in strategic basic and applied sciences, and develop new products or processes necessary for further development and commercialisation in specific research clusters (RC). It is also aimed at generating more research
capabilities and expertise within the country. The outcome of research under ScienceFund which has commercial potential can be considered for additional funding under the TechnoFund.
1.2 RESEARCH CLUSTER (RC)
The research activities are focused towards meeting the industrial needs in new and emerging fields of science, engineering and technology in
the context of national interest. Under ScienceFund, the 4 clusters identified are:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT);
- Biotechnology;
- Industry;
- Nanotechnology;
- Advanced Material;
- Advanced Manufacturing; and
- Alternative Energy.
- Sea to Space.
1.3 ELIGIBILITY
The following entities are eligible for ScienceFund:
- Research Institutions (RIs) and Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) in the public sector;
- IHLs and RIs in the private sector, subject to approval by MOSTI.
- Government Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Agencies
- Government Linked Company (GLC) Research Laboratories.
Private sector entities can participate in collaboration with the above mentioned institutions. Local scientists or expatriates working under contract must furnish contractual documents as proof of employment during the period of the project duration.
1.4 TYPES OF RESEARCH (TOR)
ScienceFund supports the following types of research activities:
Strategic Basic Research
Experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge directed into specified broad areas that are expected to lead to useful discoveries.
Applied Research
Research undertaken to acquire new knowledge for a specific application.
1.5 SCOPE OF FUNDING
The scope of funding under ScienceFund will be up to laboratory proof of concept. The quantum of funds approved will be determined on the merits of each application. The funding (based on calendar year) can be utilised for the following categories:
Wages and Allowances for Temporary and Contract Personnel(V11000)
Includes wages and allowances for temporary and contract personnel who are directly engaged in the project. Only three (3) temporary or
contract personnel are allowed for each project.
Travel and Transportation (V21000)
Includes travel and transportation expenses for domestic and overseas trips which are directly related to the project. Overseas trips must meet the following criteria:
- The purpose of the overseas trip should either be for attending conferences, seminars or workshops to present the results of the project, or for conducting a portion of the required research when domestic facilities and expertise are inadequate;
- The location of the overseas trip must appear as most suitable in terms of facilities, expertise and technology transfer.
- A maximum of one overseas trip is allowed during the duration of the project. The number of persons allowed for the overseas trip is limited to two, of which should include the Project Leader and a collaborator.
Travel is limited to economy class using MAS carrier and as far as possible using the shortest direct routes.
Please note that expenses related to overseas trips will be funded under the ScienceFund up to 15% of the total expenses of the project or RM30,000, whichever is less. Any excess must be funded from other sources.
Rentals (V24000)
Only rental expenses for building space, equipment, transportation and any other item directly related to the project should be included. Rental of vehicles for the purpose of transportation must be from a licensed transport company.
Research Materials and Supplies (V26000)
Only expenses for research materials and supplies directly related to the project should be included.
Minor Modifications and Repairs (V28000)
Only expenses for minor modifications and repairs of the building, laboratory, equipment or any other item directly related to the project. The maintenance costs of existing equipment used during the duration of project period should also be included. The cost of maintenance of any equipment purchased will not be borne by the ScienceFund after the project is completed.
Special Services (V29000)
Includes expenses for special services directly related to the project (such as consultancy, payment for enumerators, usage of computer facilities, chemical analysis and data processing). Engagement of foreign expert(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
R&D Equipment and Accessories (V35000)
Only purchase of special equipment and accessories (including accessories to upgrade the capability of existing equipment) directly related to the project should be included. Funding for special equipment and accessories is up to a maximum of 40% of total project expenses or RM100,000 whichever is lower.
Any excess over this amount must be funded from other sources.
1.6 VARIATION IN PROJECT COSTING
Requests for variations in funding after a project has been approved, must be made to the ScienceFund Secretariat for approval using the Progress Report (refer to Chapter 4). The variation is only considered for the current financial year.
1.7 NON QUALIFYING PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The following are excluded from the main activities of the project except when they form an integral part of the project, in which case applicants must provide a statement indicating the research objectives to which the data would contribute.
- Scientific and technical information services such as collecting, coding, recording, classifying, disseminating, translating, analysing, evaluating, bibliographic services, scientific and technical information extension advisory services and compilation of data.
1.8 PROJECT DURATION
The project duration under the ICT cluster is up to a maximum of 18 months while for the other clusters it is 24 months.
1.9 PROJECT EXTENSION
Requests for project extensions must be made to the ScienceFund Secretariat for approval using the Progress Report (refer to Chapter 4). Under normal circumstances, requests for extensions will not exceed more than six months of the project completion date. Only under extenuating circumstances can projects be granted additional extensions.
1.10 NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Applicants will be notified, through their institutions the decision regarding their application within 10 working days of the Approval Committee meeting.
1.11 ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER
Applicants can accept or decline the offer. In the case of acceptance, applicants must amend their proposals according to the comments and concerns of the Approval Committee.
1.12 RESEARCH AGREEMENT
The Research Agreement (RA) of approved projects will be signed between MOSTI and the head / CEO of institution. The head / CEO of institution is required to sign the RA within 14 working days upon acceptance of the approved projects. The terms of agreement such as the scope of work, sharing of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Exit Clause will be outlined in the RA.
1.13 OWNERSHIP AND USE OF R&D EQUIPMENT
All R&D equipment purchased under the project will belong to the project leader’s institution. The maintenance of such equipment should be borne by the institution. However, such equipment is not for the exclusive use of the institution only but ought to be shared with other research
organisations.
1.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Ownership and management of IPR, royalties and any other form of fees received by the institution resulting from technology transfer, licensing of technology or any other form of commercialisation, shall be governed in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the Research Agreement.
1.15 PUBLICATIONS
Researchers are expected to publish the results of their projects, locally as well as internationally. To safeguard national interests, researchers must however, obtain prior approval from the head of their institution. Researchers are encouraged to publish technical research papers in refereed journals / conferences on a regular basis and a copy of all publications be submitted to the ScienceFund Secretariat. Researchers must indicate and acknowledge the sources of funding for the project and the contribution of the various entities.
1.16 MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Each research institution is required to submit to the ScienceFund Secretariat a Monthly Financial report of all approved projects in digital file (excel format) as shown in Table 1. The purpose of this report is to enable the ScienceFund Secretariat to submit an overall monthly financial report to the
Ministry of Finance.
