Deadline: 12-Mar-23
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) invites proposals from academics in tertiary institutions to submit research proposal in any of the research topics.
It is envisaged that the initiative will help build capacity in the tertiary institutions and promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the communications industry.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, the Regulator of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, supports amongst other things, telecommunications-based innovations and research from tertiary institutions in the country that are practical, locally realizable and have clear potential of developing the telecommunications industry.
Areas of Research/Research Topics
To improve the quality of the submissions, the Commission has included the specific topics in each of the Focus Areas of Research that should addressed in the responses to this Request for Proposal as shown below:
- Development of sensors for smart city applications such as traffic management systems, smart parking, smart grid, smart homes, smart institutions and smart network management.
- Innovative Smart city applications for broadband penetration. Areas including but not limited to smart parking, smart grid, smart home, smart institutions, smart network management etc.
- Use of Telecommunication networks in Identity Management and Location Tracking via National Identity Numbering (NIN) and Artificial Intelligence.
- Design and development of a system to track, locate, and monitor operations using the National Identity Number.
- Design and implementation of efficient solar mobile phone/battery charger.
- Design and development of an effective solar charger to provide a clean alternative to the regular high carbon emitting sources of energy.
- Research leading to commercial production of high capacity battery for telecommunications equipment.
- Development of an effective high capacity battery to provide to be an alternative source of power for telecommunications equipment.
- Design and implementation of an Artificial Intelligence based predictive maintenance solutions for telecommunications infrastructure.
- AI-driven predictive systems with robust algorithms, and machine learning techniques to predict the future condition of telecoms infrastructure based on historical data and trends. Operators can use data-driven insights to monitor the state of equipment and anticipate failures to proactively fix problems of telecommunications hardware.
- Development of Cybersecurity solutions to curb cyber-attacks.
- Telecommunication operators handle essential infrastructure, therefore a cyber-attack can have a huge and far-reaching impact. This should proffer cybersecurity solutions to protect all the users from infected files, malware, and digital attacks which lead the users to access private sensitive information of users.
- Development of smart intrusion detection and alarm systems to curb theft vandalization of telecommunications infrastructure.
- The impact of vandalism of infrastructure is felt by all in the quality of services rendered as it results in increasing drop calls, data and internet connectivity disruptions, aborted and undelivered short messaging services (SMS), as well as countless failed calls. It is essential to research and proffer solutions on smart intrusion detection and alarm systems to curb theft and vandalism of telecoms infrastructure. Continuous improvement on this would immensely support good delivery of QoS.
Requirements
Interested researchers are required to submit their proposals which must:
- Come from teaching Academics in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions; and
- Have a one-page executive summary of the research proposal to include understanding of the relevance of the research topics to the telecommunications industry, deliverables, novelty of concept, methodology, team experience, project timeline and detailed cost schedule.
- Proof of Concept (Feasibility)
- Practicality (solution’s ability to solve a problem short, medium or long term)
- Tangible output such as a prototype/software or working model which can be commercialised.
Evaluation Criteria
The criteria for the evaluation of the research submissions include the following:
- The proposal must fall within the specified areas of research topics
- Adherence of proposal to stated requirements above
- Novelty of research proposal (comprehensive literature review to bring out clearly the novelty of the research).
- Clear statement and explanation of the problem.
- Proposed solution to the problem.
- Proposed approach and methodology
- Each project including prototype development must be concluded within 2 years.
- Terms of Reference (TOR’s) should be developed clearly stating that the research topics must lead to production of commercially viable prototype and capable of contributing to the development of the telecommunications industry
- The project cost should not exceed a maximum of Fifteen million naira (N15, 000,000.00) only. (the Commission reserves the right to review this maximum amount)
- Any academic with a yet to be completed research project awarded by the Commission SHOULD NOT apply.
- Total cost (including all costs) of the project must be clearly stated and broken down in details, for which there can be no variation.
- Proof of concept (feasibility of idea with diagram, algorithm etc.)
- Clear relevance to the telecommunications industry.
- Roadmap from innovative prototype to commercialisation of the prototype
- Cost reasonableness (cost of actualizing the idea including hardware and software requirements. please note that the grant does not cover purchase of vehicles, Furniture, Internet data, foreign trips and allowances).
- Schedule of project organization
- Coherent presentation/packaging of concept. Integration of research with education (capacity building of students via the implementation of the project in the institution).
- Allowance for researchers should not exceed 20% of cost of actually doing the research.
- Evidence of competence of team in executing the project (include past work and CVs of team members).
For more information, visit Request for Proposals.