hec research grant proposal

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CPEC Collaborative Research Grant – HEC calls for proposals

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) invites proposals for the CPEC Collaborative Research Grant (CPEC-CRG), the initiative being one of a key component of “Academic Collaboration under CPEC Consortium of Universities”.

The CPEC-CRG is an initiative which will support research partnership between the two countries, the project aims towards CPEC-related problems and finding their solutions. The universities of both the countries will jointly participate in the research project.

HEC encourages both male and female staff of the universities, not only that but junior and senior academic staff can participate in this joint venture. CPEC-CRG awards would be “selected competitively using a merit-based, independent, transparent evaluation and selection process based upon international standards”.

The faculty members of public and private sector universities/Degree Awarding Institutions can submit research proposal by 31st March 2021. The research proposal should be submitted through HEC-R&D online portal. The proposal is required to be made in accordance with the guidelines provided in Call for proposals.

It is mandatory to submit the proposal online as no other means will be accepted by HEC.

The deadline for submission of the application is 31st March 2021 (11:59 PM PST). The applications must be submitted online through HEC-R&D online portal any other means will not be accepted. The proposals should be made in accordance with the guidelines provided in Call for Proposal.

Eligibility Criteria

Principal Investigator (PI) must:

• Be a  faculty member (Ph.D. or FCPS/MCPS/FRCS) working on a regular/ contract basis (contract duration equivalent to project duration) in the Higher Education Institutions (public or private) of Pakistan that are members of CPEC Consortium of Universities, as per the list provided on HEC Website ( List of Members of CPEC Consortium of Universities )

Project Team:

• Must include at least one academic partner as Co-PI from Chinese HEIs  that are listed  as Members of CPEC Consortium of Universities
• May include at least one academic partner as Co-PI from Pakistani HEIs that are not included in the list of Members of CPEC Consortium of Universities
• May include consortia of faculty members from multiple university departments and/or multiple universities
• May include:  private sector participants, particularly when they bring prior IP or capability to the consortium and/or significant deployment, implementation, or scale-up capability
• International collaborators from countries other than China are also encouraged particularly when they bring a unique added value to the project team
• The detailed eligibility criteria of Institutions are available in the link ( Eligibility Criteria for HEC Competitive Research Grants )

Priority Themes

The CPEC-Collaborative Research Grant is focused on supporting research in the following priority thematic areas of national interest, utilizing the full potential of Chinese experiences and lessons learned in these areas;

• Sustainable Agriculture , including but not limited to challenges such as Agricultural Productivity and Resilience; exploitation of Agricultural Value-chains; and Sustainable Food Eco-systems for rural and urban consumers and producers
• Health and Wellbeing , including but not limited to Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health (MNCH), health-related information and communication technologies, Public Health Surveillance and Epidemiology, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bio‐informatics & Big‐data Analytics
• Clean Water and Sanitation, including but not limited to, food, energy, water nexus, and focusing on challenges such as large-scale, low cost, and scalable wastewater treatment systems; significant reduction in irrigation related water losses; and innovative socio-technical approaches to water conservation.
• Poverty Alleviation , including, but not limited to, skills and labor market interventions, and focusing on challenges such as exploitation of 3G/4G networks particularly for less literate and largely illiterate populations; addressing and mitigation of large climate change impacts on marginal communities; the use of technology in bringing transparency and responsiveness to citizen services.
• Science & Technology for Sustainable Development, including but not limited to, export competitiveness, and focusing on challenges such as exploitation of economic and technological impacts of mobile broadband and development,  deployment, and exploitation of 5G networks; 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) within the Pakistani context; transformational innovation and enhancement of global competitiveness of Pakistani export value-chains; indigenous development of high-end textile value chains; industrial performance and productivity, competitiveness, and re-location (particularly in the context of CPEC); and the interplay between population and economic development.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities, including but not limited to, sustainable urban design, low-cost housing, mobility, and transport and focusing on challenges such as planning for and preservation of urban space and life; economic, sociological, and cultural triggers for the planning and creation of second-tier (and new) cities and towns; provision of quality of urban life such as transportation and congestion, waste collection and disposal, water and sanitation, healthcare and education, and law and order.
• Cultural Harmony between Pakistan and China, which may include identity politics, gender, population, and work ethic focusing on challenges such as preservation of our intellectual heritage and material culture, barriers to gender participation in the workforce and in national development; future of work and family; and cultural and sociological impact of CPEC.
• Sustainable Energy, including but not limited to Energy efficiency, Battery and Storage Technologies, efficient and smart grids focusing on challenges such as smart and sustainable energy solutions for urban, rural, and remote areas.
• Sustainable Infrastructure, including but not limited to low-cost electric mobility solutions; sustainable platforms for urban, rural, and intercity mobility including roads, railway, and port infrastructure; innovation mechanisms for the reduction in transmission and grid losses in legacy power transmission infrastructures.

Funding Details

Budgets for CPEC- CRG awards will range up to  Rs. 50 Million , with a maximum project duration of 3 years.  In exceptional cases, budgets may go up to Rs. 100 Million. Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek co- and complementary financing from the project collaborators from China. The awards will be made to the host higher education institution of the lead Principal Investigator in Pakistan.

The PI may cover cost of Chinese research partners and other international collaborator(s) under the Short Term Consultant budget head. All the budget requests should be consistent with HEC financial rules for Competitive Research Grants available in the link given below;

Financial Rules Governing Competitive Research Grants

• Members of CPEC Consortium of Universities

People’s Republic of China

(1) Fudan University, Shanghai (2) Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (3) Nanjing University, Nanjing (4) Peking University, Beijing (5) Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai (6) Shanghai University, Shanghai (7) Tsinghua University, Beijing (8) University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei (9) Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (10) Xi’an Jiaotong University (11) Harbin Institute of Technology (12) Wuhan University (13) South-Central University for Nationalities (14) Yunnan University (15) Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (16) Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (17) Xi’an University of Architectural and Technology (18) Sias University (19) Northwest University

(1) Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering & Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta (2) COMSATS University of Information Technology, Islamabad (3) Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi (4) Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur (5) Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), Peshawar (6) Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore (7) National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NU) (8) National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad (9) Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad (10) University of the Punjab, Lahore (11) University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (12) Karakoram International University, Gilgit (13) Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro (14) University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar (15) NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi (16) Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (17) University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (18) Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water & Marine Sciences, Lasbela (19) University of Karachi, Karachi (20) University of Balochistan, Quetta (21) University of Peshawar, Peshawar (22) Azad Jammu & Kashmir University, Muzaffarabad (23) International Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences, Karachi University (24) University of Agriculture, Peshawar (25) Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam (26) Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan (27) International Islamic University, Islamabad (28) University of Sargodha, Sargodha (29) National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad (NUML) (30) Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi (31) National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad (32) Foundation University, Islamabad (33) University of Haripur, Haripur (34) Lahore College for Women University, Lahore (35) National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad (36) National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Islamabad

How to Apply

Applicants can apply online through HEC-R&D online portal. Visit the portal by clicking the following link;

HEC Research Management System (HEC-R&D online portal)

Contact Details

Research and Development DivisionHigher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad UAN:  051- 111-119-432 Complaint/Query Portal: onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk Email:  Info-r& [email protected]

CPEC Collaborative Research Grant For faculty members of public and private universities For details, please visit https://t.co/srH2YxdB9R pic.twitter.com/gltazqsSVx — HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) February 9, 2021

Important Links & Downloads

• Eligibility for HEC Competitive Research Grants
• HEC Research Management System
• Call for Proposal Document
• Budget Template  
• Guidelines for Budget
• Evaluation Protocol
• Evaluation rubrics for desk evaluation  
• Full Project Proposal Template 
• CPEC- Collaborative Research Grant

READ MORE: HEC to conduct Law Admission Test for 5-yr LLB Degree Program

READ MORE: HEC IRSIP – Application form for PhD students

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The Duke Funding Alert newsletter, published every Monday, provides information on all new and updated grants and fellowships added to the database during the prior week. This listserv is restricted to members of the Duke community.

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Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program

The purpose of the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, to respond to identified state, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences, or in rural economic, community, and business development. 

HEC is a NIFA-administered competitive grants program focused on improving formal, baccalaureate, or master’s degree level food and agricultural sciences education, and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine (DVM). HEC projects provide funding to eligible applicants to help ensure a competent, qualified, and diverse workforce will exist to serve the food and agricultural sciences system. At the same time, HEC-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of communities through the development of degree programs emphasizing new and emerging employment opportunities. Finally, HEC projects address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering the food and agricultural sciences (i.e., having a food and agricultural sciences workforce representative of the nation’s population). 

The HEC projects are expected to: (a) produce measurable impacts aligned with HEC program goals, (b) promote innovative, educational practices within the food and agricultural sciences that improve how students learn, and (c) include a rigorous evaluation component to assess that project outcomes are met. Institutions must demonstrate capacity for, and a significant ongoing commitment to the teaching of the food and agricultural sciences generally, and to the specific need and/or discipline(s) for which a grant is requested. Projects should encourage academic institutions, in partnership with organizations and employers, to work collectively to identify and address a state or regional challenge or opportunity facing the food and agricultural sciences education and workforce community. Additionally, projects should encourage broad participation of students traditionally underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences. An application must convince a peer panel of a compelling educational challenge; clearly indicate how the methodology is both unique and with merit; offer significant promise of adoption by others; and include a plan for how the project impacts will be sustained once grant funds end. 

Deadline: March 5, 2024

Agency Website

Eligibility requirements.

Applications may be submitted by: 1. U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first  professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences; 2. land-grant colleges and universities, (including land-grant institutions in the Insular   Areas);  3. colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable  capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and 4. other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching  of food and agricultural sciences. 

There is no limit on the number of applications that may be submitted by an applicant institution. However, each institution or group that is successful in their application will only be given two awards per year through this program. Also, each institution or organization may only receive one CG2 grant per annual HEC grant program competition. Each academic (or other) unit within the institution or organization, such as a college, school of agriculture, etc., can only have one active CG2 grant at any given time. 

Amount Description

The amount available for Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (HEC) in FY 2024 is approximately $5,055,342. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.  

Funding Type

Eligibility, external deadline.

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Home » Grant Proposal – Example, Template and Guide

Grant Proposal – Example, Template and Guide

Table of Contents

Grant Proposal

Grant Proposal is a written document that outlines a request for funding from a grant-making organization, such as a government agency, foundation, or private donor. The purpose of a grant proposal is to present a compelling case for why an individual, organization, or project deserves financial support.

Grant Proposal Outline

While the structure and specific sections of a grant proposal can vary depending on the funder’s requirements, here is a common outline that you can use as a starting point for developing your grant proposal:

• Brief overview of the project and its significance.
• Summary of the funding request and project goals.
• Key highlights and anticipated outcomes.
• Background information on the issue or problem being addressed.
• Explanation of the project’s relevance and importance.
• Clear statement of the project’s objectives.
• Detailed description of the problem or need to be addressed.
• Supporting evidence and data to demonstrate the extent and impact of the problem.
• Identification of the target population or beneficiaries.
• Broad goals that describe the desired outcomes of the project.
• Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that contribute to the goals.
• Description of the strategies, activities, and interventions to achieve the objectives.
• Explanation of the project’s implementation plan, timeline, and key milestones.
• Roles and responsibilities of project staff and partners.
• Plan for assessing the project’s effectiveness and measuring its impact.
• Description of the data collection methods, tools, and indicators used for evaluation.
• Explanation of how the results will be used to improve the project.
• Comprehensive breakdown of project expenses, including personnel, supplies, equipment, and other costs.
• Clear justification for each budget item.
• Information about any matching funds or in-kind contributions, if applicable.
• Explanation of how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period.
• Discussion of long-term funding strategies, partnerships, and community involvement.
• Description of how the project will continue to address the identified problem in the future.
• Overview of the organization’s mission, history , and track record.
• Description of the organization’s experience and qualifications related to the proposed project.
• Summary of key staff and their roles.
• Recap of the project’s goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes.
• Appreciation for the funder’s consideration.
• Contact information for further inquiries.

Grant Proposal Template

Here is a template for a grant proposal that you can use as a starting point. Remember to customize and adapt it based on the specific requirements and guidelines provided by the funding organization.

Dear [Grant-making Organization Name],

Executive Summary:

I. Introduction:

II. Needs Assessment:

III. Goals and Objectives:

IV. Project Methods and Approach:

V. Evaluation and Monitoring:

VI. Budget:

VII. Sustainability:

VIII. Organizational Capacity and Expertise:

IX. Conclusion:

Thank you for considering our grant proposal. We believe that this project will make a significant impact and address an important need in our community. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss our proposal further.

Grant Proposal Example

Here is an example of a grant proposal to provide you with a better understanding of how it could be structured and written:

Executive Summary: We are pleased to submit this grant proposal on behalf of [Your Organization’s Name]. Our proposal seeks funding in the amount of [Requested Amount] to support our project titled [Project Title]. This project aims to address [Describe the problem or need being addressed] in [Target Location]. By implementing a comprehensive approach, we aim to achieve [State the project’s goals and anticipated outcomes].

I. Introduction: We express our gratitude for the opportunity to present this proposal to your esteemed organization. At [Your Organization’s Name], our mission is to [Describe your organization’s mission]. Through this project, we aim to make a significant impact on [Describe the issue or problem being addressed] by [Explain the significance and relevance of the project].

II. Needs Assessment: After conducting thorough research and needs assessments in [Target Location], we have identified a pressing need for [Describe the problem or need]. The lack of [Identify key issues or challenges] has resulted in [Explain the consequences and impact of the problem]. The [Describe the target population or beneficiaries] are particularly affected, and our project aims to address their specific needs.

III. Goals and Objectives: The primary goal of our project is to [State the broad goal]. To achieve this, we have outlined the following objectives:

• [Objective 1]
• [Objective 2]
• [Objective 3] [Include additional objectives as necessary]

IV. Project Methods and Approach: To address the identified needs and accomplish our objectives, we propose the following methods and approach:

• [Describe the activities and strategies to be implemented]
• [Explain the timeline and key milestones]
• [Outline the roles and responsibilities of project staff and partners]

V. Evaluation and Monitoring: We recognize the importance of assessing the effectiveness and impact of our project. Therefore, we have developed a comprehensive evaluation plan, which includes the following:

• [Describe the data collection methods and tools]
• [Identify the indicators and metrics to measure progress]
• [Explain how the results will be analyzed and utilized]

VI. Budget: We have prepared a detailed budget for the project, totaling [Total Project Budget]. The budget includes the following key components:

• Personnel: [Salary and benefits for project staff]
• Supplies and Materials: [List necessary supplies and materials]
• Equipment: [Include any required equipment]
• Training and Capacity Building: [Specify any training or workshops]
• Other Expenses: [Additional costs, such as travel, marketing, etc.]

VII. Sustainability: Ensuring the sustainability of our project beyond the grant period is of utmost importance to us. We have devised the following strategies to ensure its long-term impact:

• [Describe plans for securing future funding]
• [Explain partnerships and collaborations with other organizations]
• [Outline community engagement and support]

VIII. Organizational Capacity and Expertise: [Your Organization’s Name] has a proven track record in successfully implementing projects of a similar nature. Our experienced team possesses the necessary skills and expertise to carry out this project effectively. Key personnel involved in the project include [List key staff and their qualifications].

IX. Conclusion: Thank you for considering our grant proposal. We firmly believe that [Project Title] will address a critical need in [Target Location] and contribute to the well-being of the [Target Population]. We are available to provide any additional information or clarification as required. We look forward to the

opportunity to discuss our proposal further and demonstrate the potential impact of this project.

Please find attached the required supporting documents, including our detailed budget, organizational information, and any additional materials that may be helpful in evaluating our proposal.

Thank you once again for considering our grant proposal. We appreciate your dedication to supporting projects that create positive change in our community. We eagerly await your response and the possibility of partnering with your esteemed organization to make a meaningful difference.

• Detailed Budget
• Organizational Information
• Additional Supporting Documents]

Grant Proposal Writing Guide

Writing a grant proposal can be a complex process, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a compelling proposal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the grant proposal writing process:

• Carefully review the grant guidelines and requirements provided by the funding organization.
• Take note of the eligibility criteria, funding priorities, submission deadlines, and any specific instructions for the proposal.
• Familiarize yourself with the funding organization’s mission, goals, and previous projects they have supported.
• Gather relevant data, statistics, and evidence to support the need for your proposed project.
• Clearly define the problem or need your project aims to address.
• Identify the specific goals and objectives of your project.
• Consider how your project aligns with the mission and priorities of the funding organization.
• Organize your proposal by creating an outline that includes all the required sections.
• Arrange the sections logically and ensure a clear flow of ideas.
• Start with a concise and engaging executive summary to capture the reader’s attention.
• Provide a brief overview of your organization and the project.
• Present a clear and compelling case for the problem or need your project addresses.
• Use relevant data, research findings, and real-life examples to demonstrate the significance of the issue.
• Clearly articulate the overarching goals of your project.
• Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that align with the goals.
• Explain the strategies and activities you will implement to achieve the project objectives.
• Describe the timeline, milestones, and resources required for each activity.
• Highlight the uniqueness and innovation of your approach, if applicable.
• Outline your plan for evaluating the project’s effectiveness and measuring its impact.
• Discuss how you will collect and analyze data to assess the outcomes.
• Explain how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period, including future funding strategies and partnerships.
• Prepare a comprehensive budget that includes all the anticipated expenses and revenue sources.
• Clearly justify each budget item and ensure it aligns with the project activities and goals.
• Include a budget narrative that explains any cost assumptions or calculations.
• Review your proposal multiple times for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
• Ensure that the proposal follows the formatting and length requirements specified by the funder.
• Consider seeking feedback from colleagues or experts in the field to improve your proposal.
• Gather all the necessary supporting documents, such as your organization’s background information, financial statements, resumes of key staff, and letters of support or partnership.
• Follow the submission instructions provided by the funding organization.
• Submit the proposal before the specified deadline, keeping in mind any additional submission requirements, such as online forms or hard copies.
• If possible, send a thank-you note or email to the funding organization for considering your proposal.
• Keep track of the notification date for the funding decision.
• In case of rejection, politely ask for feedback to improve future proposals.

Importance of Grant Proposal

Grant proposals play a crucial role in securing funding for organizations and projects. Here are some key reasons why grant proposals are important:

• Access to Funding: Grant proposals provide organizations with an opportunity to access financial resources that can support the implementation of projects and initiatives. Grants can provide the necessary funds for research, program development, capacity building, infrastructure improvement, and more.
• Project Development: Writing a grant proposal requires organizations to carefully plan and develop their projects. This process involves setting clear goals and objectives, identifying target populations, designing activities and strategies, and establishing timelines and budgets. Through this comprehensive planning process, organizations can enhance the effectiveness and impact of their projects.
• Validation and Credibility: Successfully securing a grant can enhance an organization’s credibility and reputation. It demonstrates to funders, partners, and stakeholders that the organization has a well-thought-out plan, sound management practices, and the capacity to execute projects effectively. Grant funding can provide validation for an organization’s work and attract further support.
• Increased Impact and Sustainability: Grant funding enables organizations to expand their reach and increase their impact. With financial resources, organizations can implement projects on a larger scale, reach more beneficiaries, and make a more significant difference in their communities. Additionally, grants often require organizations to consider long-term sustainability, encouraging them to develop strategies for continued project success beyond the grant period.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Grant proposals often require organizations to form partnerships and collaborations with other entities, such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or community groups. These collaborations can lead to shared resources, expertise, and knowledge, fostering synergy and innovation in project implementation.
• Learning and Growth: The grant proposal writing process can be a valuable learning experience for organizations. It encourages them to conduct research, analyze data, and critically evaluate their programs and initiatives. Through this process, organizations can identify areas for improvement, refine their strategies, and strengthen their overall operations.
• Networking Opportunities: While preparing and submitting grant proposals, organizations have the opportunity to connect with funders, program officers, and other stakeholders. These connections can provide valuable networking opportunities, leading to future funding prospects, partnerships, and collaborations.

Purpose of Grant Proposal

The purpose of a grant proposal is to seek financial support from grant-making organizations or foundations for a specific project or initiative. Grant proposals serve several key purposes:

• Funding Acquisition: The primary purpose of a grant proposal is to secure funding for a project or program. Organizations rely on grants to obtain the financial resources necessary to implement and sustain their activities. Grant proposals outline the project’s goals, objectives, activities, and budget, making a compelling case for why the funding organization should invest in the proposed initiative.
• Project Planning and Development: Grant proposals require organizations to thoroughly plan and develop their projects before seeking funding. This includes clearly defining the problem or need the project aims to address, establishing measurable goals and objectives, and outlining the strategies and activities that will be implemented. Writing a grant proposal forces organizations to think critically about the project’s feasibility, anticipated outcomes, and impact.
• Communication and Persuasion: Grant proposals are persuasive documents designed to convince funding organizations that the proposed project is worthy of their investment. They must effectively communicate the organization’s mission, vision, and track record, as well as the specific problem being addressed and the potential benefits and impact of the project. Grant proposals use evidence, data, and compelling narratives to make a strong case for funding support.
• Relationship Building: Grant proposals serve as a platform for organizations to establish and strengthen relationships with funding organizations. Through the proposal, organizations introduce themselves, highlight their expertise, and demonstrate their alignment with the funding organization’s mission and priorities. A well-written grant proposal can lay the foundation for future collaborations and partnerships.
• Accountability and Evaluation: Grant proposals outline the expected outcomes, objectives, and evaluation methods for the proposed project. They establish a framework for accountability, as organizations are expected to report on their progress and outcomes if awarded the grant. Grant proposals often include plans for project evaluation and monitoring to assess the project’s effectiveness and ensure that the funding is being used appropriately.
• Sustainability and Long-Term Planning : Grant proposals often require organizations to consider the long-term sustainability of their projects beyond the grant period. This includes identifying strategies for continued funding, partnerships, and community involvement. By addressing sustainability in the proposal, organizations demonstrate their commitment to long-term impact and the responsible use of grant funds.

When to Write a Grant Proposal

Knowing when to write a grant proposal is crucial for maximizing your chances of success. Here are a few situations when it is appropriate to write a grant proposal:

• When There is a Funding Opportunity: Grants become available through various sources, including government agencies, foundations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Keep an eye out for grant announcements, requests for proposals (RFPs), or funding cycles that align with your organization’s mission and project goals. Once you identify a relevant funding opportunity, you can begin writing the grant proposal.
• When You Have a Well-Defined Project or Program: Before writing a grant proposal, it’s important to have a clearly defined project or program in mind. You should be able to articulate the problem or need you are addressing, the goals and objectives of your project, and the strategies and activities you plan to implement. Having a solid project plan in place will help you write a more compelling grant proposal.
• When You Have Conducted Research and Gathered Data: Grant proposals often require evidence and data to support the need for the project. Before writing the proposal, conduct thorough research to gather relevant statistics, studies, or community assessments that demonstrate the significance and urgency of the problem you aim to address. This data will strengthen your proposal and make it more persuasive.
• When You Have a Strong Organizational Profile: Funding organizations often consider the credibility and capacity of the applying organization. Before writing a grant proposal, ensure that your organization has a strong profile, including a clear mission statement, track record of accomplishments, capable staff or volunteers, and financial stability. These factors contribute to the overall credibility of your proposal.
• When You Have the Time and Resources to Dedicate to Proposal Writing: Writing a grant proposal requires time, effort, and resources. It involves conducting research, developing project plans, creating budgets, and crafting compelling narratives. Assess your organization’s capacity to commit to the grant proposal writing process. Consider the timeline, deadline, and any additional requirements specified by the funding organization before deciding to proceed.
• When You Have Identified Potential Partnerships or Collaborators: Some grant proposals may require or benefit from partnerships or collaborations with other organizations or stakeholders. If your project can be enhanced by partnering with other entities, it’s important to identify and secure these partnerships before writing the grant proposal. This demonstrates a collaborative approach and can strengthen your proposal.
• When You Are Committed to Project Evaluation and Accountability: Grant proposals often include requirements for project evaluation and reporting. If you are willing and able to commit to evaluating the project’s outcomes, tracking progress, and reporting on the use of funds, it is an appropriate time to write a grant proposal. This shows your dedication to transparency, accountability, and responsible use of grant funds.

Also see Proposal

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Dilemma of HEC research grants

Availability of generous research funds is the bottleneck for sustainable research and innovation

Besides creating knowledge and providing skilled manpower, universities play an essential role in solving pressing national and global grand challenges. However, the availability of generous research funds is the bottleneck for sustainable research and innovation.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) backs research at higher education institutes by providing several research grants such as National Research Program for Universities (NRPU). For the last decade, NRPU supported researchers in building research groups and conducting cutting-edge research. The programme benefited junior faculty, enabling them to hire human resource, purchase tools and supplies crucial for their research. Resultantly, the number of research papers published and patents filed increased greatly. However, there remain some areas of improvement for NRPU and other related HEC funding programmes.

HEC revised the criterion for NRPU grants in 2020. As per the new regulations, only 30% of the total amount could be allocated to supplies and equipment — the costliest and the most essential budget head for experimental sciences. Most likely, HEC adopted this model from UK funding agencies, where human resource is expensive. However, in the Pakistani context, devoting 70% of the budget to salaries does not make sense.

I had a chance to see the comments some applicants had received on their applications. For instance, an Oxford graduate’s application was rejected because the reviewer believed the faculty was inexperienced to successfully complete the project. An ETH and MIT alumnus was told he had no previous record of executing a large research project. Being a newly-hired or junior faculty seems like a disadvantage despite the applicants’ excellent track record and research experience.

The review process is not double-blind either, and referees can know the identity of applicants. Likewise, applicants somehow can know who reviewed their grant. An open peer review leads to biased decisions where inferior proposals might get funded and technically sound ones rejected.

In many of the reviews, referee comments were incorrect or irrelevant. For instance, one reviewer rejected the procurement of an equipment that was not even requested in the budget. Another suggested buying equipment that had no connection with the research area. This happens when unrelated referees are selected to evaluate grants outside their subject area. Irrelevant reviewers also significantly cut the budget, because of their inability to judge the proposal to its depth, limiting the grant’s intended objectivity.

In a recent letter to the vice-chancellors (VCs), the HEC chairman had asked universities to raise the quality of research proposals for HEC-funded grants. The chairman emphasised that universities must set up internal mechanisms to review grant proposals and pass only the best ones to the HEC. This would add another snag to the success of a grant application and politicise the proposal screening process. Junior faculty, being lower in hierarchy, will be placed at a disadvantage again.

Because of the change in NRPU policy and intrinsic defects in the review process, junior faculty — more than 80% of the total faculty at the national universities — will suffer much. The research output will drop, and young faculty will be under immense pressure to survive academia. For the award of promotion and tenure, faculty performance is evaluated based on the number of research papers published and grants won.

HEC also took some extraordinary steps to build the capacity of faculty nationwide, such as training programmes to improve the quality of research proposals. However, grant review process will remain the bottleneck of all HEC research grant awards pivotal for sustainable academic research.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7 th , 2021.

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HEC Paris PhD student, Martin Hetu, receives the 2020 Dissertation Research Grant by The Strategic Management Society (SMS)

Martin Hetu is a HEC Paris PhD Student in Strategy and Business Policy and works on “The Impact of Intellectual Property Institutions on Cross-Border Market Entry and Inventor Mobility" with his supervisor, HEC Professor Denisa Mindruta. 

Summary:  My dissertation research, developed in collaboration with HEC Professor Denisa Mindruta, investigates how technology commercialisation and inventor mobility are influenced by the strength of legal institutions. More specifically, I examine the impact of intellectual property rights (IPR) institutions on market entry by technological firms at the national and international levels as well as the relocation of scientists across borders and organisations.  In a first paper, I tackle a long-standing debate in the literature on the impact of IPR institutions on incentives for firms to enter into technological markets. Furthermore, I assess how complementary and technological capabilities interact to enable or hinder market entry in weak and strong IPR environments. In a second paper, I focus on the impact of IPR institutions on cross-border market entry. Prior studies in the technology commercialisation literature have assumed that firms are constrained by the local IPR environment and do not have the option to relocate or expand their technology commercialisation activities across borders in function of the relative favorability of IPR institutions. This paper accordingly aims to uncover whether foreign firms are more or less likely to enter a country with weakened IPR institutions and whether local firms are more or less likely to enter foreign countries with stronger IPR institutions after their local IPR institutions have been weakened. In a third paper, I seek to contribute to the literature on human resources mobility by examining the impact of IPR institutions on cross-border inventor mobility. More specifically, I investigate whether an unexpected reduction in the strength of a country’s IPR institutions is likely to have an impact on inbound and outbound mobility of inventors. In order to address these gaps in the literature, I rely on a shock that significantly reduced the strength of the IPR environment in the United States (US) pharmaceutical industry. In a decision rendered in 2013, the US Supreme Court put an end to a 30 years period during which court decisions established and repeatedly confirmed the patentability of genes. The Supreme Court’s decision accordingly allowed pharmaceutical firms to develop and commercialise drugs targeting any gene previously protected by IPR in the US. However, the European Union (EU) specified and harmonised the law governing IPR protection of biotechnological inventions in 1998, specifically allowing for gene patenting in all member countries. This distinction in the rules of the IPR regime covering the patenting of genetic sequences in the US and in the EU thus provides an opportunity to develop a difference-in-differences empirical design set in the pharmaceutical industry. 

___________________________

The SMS Dissertation Research Grant Program

Every year, Govt. of Sindh directly issues grants to the public sector universities of the province through its Universities and Boards Department. But this year, first time after 9 years of its establishment, this function has been delegated to Sindh Higher Education Commission to diligently work on this matter and distribute funds among the public sector universities of the province. On the recommendation of the Committee constituted for the preparation of grants / funds distribution formula, Sindh HEC requested the Competent Authority, the CM Sindh, to increase the annual grants of the universities so that these institutes of higher education and learning may overcome the financial crisis and continue focusing on education and research instead of thinking about the ways to evade crisis. Honourable CM Sindh was pleased to approve the recommendations of Sindh HEC and increased the annual funding / grant of universities for FY 2022-23.

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HEC Local Challenge Fund (LCF) 2021 | HEC Call For Research Proposal

The Higher Education Commission announced a funding project, the Local Challenge Fund (LCF), to submit research proposals. The faculty of all private and public universities are eligible to submit their research proposals for this program. However, the commission will select the candidates according to the selection criteria. However, for the LCF, HEC will provide Rs 65 million funding for a maximum project duration of 02 years. However, the budget might increase up to 113 million. Thus, interested candidates can submit their research proposals for LCF by 01 October 2021.

Eligibility Criteria for HEC-LCF

For the Local Challenge Fund (LCF) program, the commission has divided the eligibility of Principal Investigators (PIs) into two categories/elements.

• LCF- Element I
• LCF-Element II

For both categories, the Principal Investigators must be University Faculty Members (Ph.D/FCPS/MCPS/FRCS) Based at HEIs. However, for Element-I, the university should not be included in the research-intensive institutes specified for GCF call 2020. While, for element-II, universities included in the Institute specified for GCF 2020 call are eligible. 

Under the HEC LCF program, the funding amount will be up to Rs 65 million with a maximum project duration of two years (the budget could increase to 113 million).

How to Apply for LCF 2021 

• Candidates have to submit their research proposals for the Local Challenge Fund (LCF) program according to the template available on the HEC website . (research.hec.gov.pk).
• The last date to submit the proposal for the HEC LCF Program is 01 October 2021.

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