Deadline: 8 January 2018
The U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) is seeking proposals for its Industry-Academia Research Seed Grant Program 2018 in order to address water-related issues impeding socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The goal of the USPCAS-W Research Program is to stimulate competitive and innovative applied research that is multi-disciplinary in nature and developed within the broader context of the water-development nexus to support the achievement SDG 6.
Themes
- Overcoming water scarcity
- Developing and maintaining water infrastructure
- Improving water quality
- Improving water use efficiency and agricultural productivity
- Enhancing access to drinking water and sanitation
- Reversing groundwater depletion
- Reclaiming degraded lands
- Strengthening water governance
- Improving water management
- Managing wastewater for productive uses
- Adapting to climate change
- Improving performance of water utilities
- Protecting water ecosystems
Grant Information
Maximum funding available for each grant is around PKR 3 million.
Eligibility Criteria
- All research institutions, HEC approved universities, non-governmental/civil society organizations (with minimum of 5 years’ experience in applied and policy-oriented research related to water issues) are eligible to apply for research grants.
- The research proposals should clearly state:
- project rationale and objectives,
- study methodology,
- expected project impact in terms of benefits to Pakistan’s economy,
- linkages to water SDG,
- sustainability plan, and
- work plan together with detailed budget.
- In addition, the proposal should specifically elaborate on the:
- novelty, market potential, and feasibility of proposed idea;
- strengths of team and technology and venture commercialization experience;
- plan for sustainable partnership including identifying funding potential from sales, venture capital, etc.; and
- plan for capacity building through training, student involvement, and gender equity.
- Team must include one Principle Investigator (PI) from a higher education (or research) institution in Pakistan and one PI from industry. ‘Industry’ for the purposes of this program is defined as a private business, a for-profit entity, or another independent funding source capable of supporting the research beyond the seed grant. Additional team members from government, civil society, academia, and private sector are encouraged. The industry partner must be in Pakistan or working in Pakistan such that person-to-person interaction with academia partner is possible.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must download the application form via given website.
For more information, please visit Research Seed Grant Program.