Process to Be Followed for Research Projects to Be Funded by Nrrda/Mord

PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY NRRDA/MORD.

1. Submission of Proposals

The project proposal can be submitted at any time during the year to NRRDA. However, NRRDA shall process the proposals three times in a financial year for approval (April, August and December). The proposals shall be submitted by Principal Technical Agencies (PTAs)/ State Technical Agencies (STAs) or by any Government, Government aided Research/Engineering/Science/Management Institutions of the country having credentials of established research facilities and manpower to deliver time bound research projects. The proposals shall be submitted in the format prescribed by NRRDA for submission of research proposals. The proposal shall be submitted in soft copy (MS- Word) and also at least one hard copy to the Director (Technical) NRRDA, through Head of the Institution. The proposal shall be preferably from any of the identified thrust areas, the list of which is enclosed. Following items should necessarily be submitted with the proposal:

(a) Proposal in prescribed format (b) Certificate from Investigators (c) Certificate from the Head of the Institution.

The proposals can also be submitted as Cooperative / Collaborative research proposal involving more than one institution, in such cases the Principal Institution shall be from PTAs/ STAs.

2. Constitution of Expert Group

The project proposals will be reviewed and selected by an expert group (the ‘Expert Group’) to be formed by NRRDA in consultation with the Chairman of Standing Advisory Committee of NRRDA. The Expert Group will have four permanent members and two experts in the specific area of research proposal, who will be appointed by NRRDA in consultation with the Chairman. The Expert Group will have the following composition:

(i) Chairman of Standing Advisory Committee - Chairman (ii) Three members from NRRDA -Two Directors and a representative of IFD of MoRD, - Permanent members by designation (iii) Two experts – to be appointed specific to the research proposal

The Expert Group will have the overall authority to finalize the selection of the research proposal, research team, and the project cost.

3. Processing of Proposal and Award

Following procedure will be adopted for processing and award of research proposals:

(i) Scrutiny of the project proposals shall be carried out in-house by the R&D Cell of NRRDA. Proposals scrutinised and recommended by the R & D cell, shall be forwarded to the members of the Expert Group. The proposals shall be circulated to members at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting to allow the members sufficient time to study the proposal

(ii) After two weeks of circulation of the proposal, the Expert Group will hold its meeting in which the Principal Investigator will be invited to make a presentation on the proposal and furnish clarifications and further details as required. The Expert Group may require the Principal Investigator to modify or amplify the proposal.

(iii) Final selection for award and funding of the research project shall be based on the recommendations of the Expert Group.

4. Project Monitoring & Evaluation

The progress report of the project shall be submitted by the Principal Investigator at the specified periodicity in the prescribed format. For projects of duration of one year or longer, progress reports shall be furnished every six months commencing from the date of award. The first six monthly report (in maximum 10 pages) shall report progress in all tasks and milestones indicated in the project proposal; and the subsequent reports will be more elaborate and cover the cumulative progress for all tasks and milestones, and interim results/ findings, if any. These reports will also include an up-to-date expenditure statement as against the approved budget. In respect of projects of short duration (less than one year), progress reports shall be furnished at the mid of the project period and at the completion.

The progress reports shall be reviewed by NRRDA internally. NRRDA may like to involve any member of the Expert Group in the specific field for his comments, as per standard format of NRRDA. The Principal Investigator may be required to make a presentation on the yearly report before the Expert Group and comply with the comments of the members.

MoRD / NRRDA may depute their representative to inspect the field or laboratory investigations/studies under progress. The Principal Investigator will ensure that they are provided full access to the data, reports, experiments and performance evaluations in progress.

One month prior to the completion date of the research project, the Principal Investigator shall submit the research findings and draft reports etc., and will present the same before the Expert Group for evaluation, as per standard format of NRRDA. The Principal Investigator shall submit the Final Report within 30 days of the communication of the comments by NRRDA.

Normally, extension of the project period is not allowed beyond the sanctioned period. If the project is delayed, it must be justified and NRRDA may consider on recommendation of the Expert Group, extension of time without any additional cost for such time extensions.

5. Equipment and Software

Ownership of all the equipment and software procured/ developed under the research programme shall be with the institution carrying out research. Further, the responsibility of maintenance / upgrade of the equipment and software will also be with the concerned institute. These equipment and software should also be made available to SRRDAs for conducting any test/ analysis. The institute will have to give an undertaking to this effect.

The process of procurement / development of equipment and software will be as prevalent in the institution.

6. Utilization of Research Findings NRRDA/ MoRD may request the Investigator(s) to prepare any guideline or circular, it desires to issue to the States, based on the findings and results of the research project. The Principal Investigator will prepare such guidelines/ circulars and submit the same with final project report as part of the project.

7. Completion of Project

After the submission of the Final Report by the Principal Investigator along with complete financial accounts with ‘Utilisation Certificate’ for the project.indicating all expenses for the project, NRRDA shall issue a completion certificate to this effect.The Institution shall also refund any unspent amount, from the project grant received from NRRDA/ MORD.

8. Publications and Patents

The Investigators are advised to publish the project findings and results freely for dissemination to the profession duly acknowledging the funding and support provided by the NRRDA/MoRD for the research work. The patents/ copyrights also can be filed for Intellectual Property Right (IPR), jointly by Investigator and NRRDA.