Local Research Development Grant (LRDG)

Background

The Local Research and Development Grant is the research and development fund that is earmarked by the Government of Ethiopia for various research and development activities undertaken by young researchers.The fund is administered by the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC) in a competitive ways based on criteria set for the selection and evaluation of research proposals.

The research grant is mainly used for research and for application of research results in service, development and production sectors and for other related scientific and technological activities. Applying for the local research fund is therefore open to all public and private organizations who have the potential to undertake R&D. Research proposal is submitted based on research grant application form and guidelines prepared by the ESTC. Each cycle is announced using brochures and posters distributed to potential applicants' locations. Researchers from sectors of Agriculture, health, industry, mines, water and energy, etc. are benefiting from the grant and producing various outputs. As part of its major activities, the National Computer and Information Center has organized a database on local research grant information, so as to provide information services to decision makers and researchers. The database on local research applications (proposed or granted) is one of the sources of information relevant to the inception of new projects and also to countercheck whether same or similar projects have been funded or proposed.

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Objectives of the Local Research Grant
The objectives of the Local Research Grant is to support the decision making process on research grant applications and to avoid duplication of unnecessary efforts. the future cycles of funding will be directed to two categories of applicants. To this end the Commission utilizes the research fund for the following broadly specified categories:-

Category one: This category includes research works in the major economic sectors such as Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources, Energy, Mineral Resources and Go-Information, Industry, Construction, Transport and Communication , Health, Population Planning, New and Emerging Technologies and Atmospheric Science.

Though applied research will be given priority, provision will also be made to support fundamental research. Hence, research proposals in each of the areas should focus on:-

Category Two: This category includes Institution who wish to apply for packages of research results that are readily available at the Commission for extension and prototype development in the production and service sectors as appropriate in the following areas:

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Eligibility for Grant
Individual applicants who wish to participate should satisfy these criteria:-

Amount of the research fund(grant)
The grant for a qualifying proposal for research would not exceed Birr 25,000 with possible renewal while the grant for the application of research results for prototype or extension development would up to Birr 35,000. The money may be spent to cover actual research or application costs such as purchase of supplies and small equipment, limited local travel, casual labor cost, cycle workshop participation etc.

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Application Procedures
To apply, request should be filled on the ESTC GRANT APPLICATION FORMS or available from

Applications Deadline
Proposals for funding to be considered must reach ESTC according to the deadline set by ESTC. Applicants who meet their deadlines will be notified of the status of their proposals.

Selection Criteria for proposed research projects to be financed from the Local Research Grant Fund.
General Research proposals should comply with the following general criteria to be qualified for the grant.

Specific criteria and percentage ranking for Local Research Grant sponsored projects
Proposals that satisfies the general evaluation criteria cited above will again be reviewed in accordance with the these specific craters.

1. Addressing National Objectives ---------------------------------------------30%
2. Methodology and Technical Viability -----------------------------------------20%
3. Area of Research(New, Applied, Neglected) --------------------------------18%
4. Benefit and Beneficiaries (Project making range of applicability) --------------15%
5. Institutional Capability -------------------------------------------------------12%
6. Status of Researchers-Educational Background and -Research Experience-- --5%

For Research Grant Development Guideline click here
For the application form click here
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