…Requests For Proposal On Telecommunications- Based Research Innovation
…US$30,970.94 Up For Grabs!
By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
“Research doesn’t assure definite rewards, but it assures lesser risk.” ― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words
Nigeria does not want to be perceived as a fringe player among countries in the telecommunications scheme of things and diligent and forward-looking regulation of the telecommunications industry will ensure Nigeria amasses a strong digital voice at the global front.
This is the right reading of the direction the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami , through telecommunications sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), led by Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, wants Nigeria to go in order to achieve her digital economy aspirations and satiate Nigerians with its manifold benefits, but this threshold cannot be struck without the input of researchers at all levels of society.
Hence, the Director of Research and Development at the NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu and his team have their work clearly cut out and signals coming from his department indicate that the team members are in active mode to make execution seamless.
The Nigerian Communications Commission 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.
Pursuant to this objective, the Commission is inviting proposals from academics in tertiary institutions that have feasible research ideas, capable of replacing or enhancing foreign technologies in the telecommunications in Nigeria.
It is envisaged, according to the NCC, 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.
Areas of Research:
• Innovative clean energy Technology
• 5G deployment in Nigeria
• IoT Low Power Wide Area Network (WAN) Technology
• Advanced method of Quality of Service (QoS)/Quality of Experience Management and test mechanism
• Monitoring and localisation of drones
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 relevance of the research to the telecommunications industry, deliverables, novelty of concept, methodology, team experience, project timeline and detailed cost schedule.
Evaluation Criteria
The criteria for the evaluation of the research submissions include the following:
• The area must fall within the specified areas of research
• 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.
• The project cost should not exceed a maximum of twelve million naira (N12,000,000.00) only. The Commission reserves the right to review this maximum amount.
• Any academic with a yet to be completed research project with 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 et cetera.)
• Clear relevance to the telecommunications industry.
• Evidence of local realization up to prototype.
• Cost reasonableness (cost of actualizing the idea including hardware and software requirements but excluding purchase of vehicles, Furniture or 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).
Submission of Proposal
Submission will undergo preliminary assessment. The proposals that are adjudged promising and capable of developing the Telecommunications industry will be further evaluated by another level of assessors. Sponsors/authors of research submissions may be invited for defence of their proposals before a decision is taken on whether the Commission will fund their project(s) or not. Those with existing research grant are not qualified to apply for this.
Interested researchers are invited to submit both SOFT and HARD copies and CDs of their research proposals on or before September 8, 2020 to the address below. They are to note that any proposal submitted after the deadline will be rejected automatically.
Email address: drd@ncc.gov.ng
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO
Attention:
Director, Research and Development,
Nigerian Communications Commission
Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja
Nigeria
