National Gross Roots ICT Research Initiative

National ICT & RD Fund has taken this great step of starting this program of “National Gross Roots ICT Research Initiative”. Funding is available For Final Year Students’ Projects through this program in 98 universities all over Pakistan through a simple process. Final date of applying for this fund is 31st March, 2012.

According to ICT & RD Fund official website page, this initiative aims to promote, enable, and encourage R&D culture at the grassroots level by funding relatively high caliber R&D projects initiated by students under the mentorship of faculty members in chartered universities of both Public and Private sector.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Through this initiative the Fund will provide financial support to selected Final Year Projects (FYP) of undergraduate students enrolled in ICT related disciplines like Computer Science & Information Technology, Electrical, Electronics, Telecom, Computer, and Software Engineering.

The financial assistance under the initiative will enable students undertaking Final Year Projects (FYP) in building prototypes and working models to showcase their creativity and innovation by applying hands on engineering and development skills. The funding under this initiative covers the cost of purchase of equipment and other miscellaneous costs associated with the development of the prototype or working model.

HOW TO APPLY FOR National Gross Roots ICT Research Initiative Fund by ICT & RD ?

Recommendations for currently ongoing Final Year Projects (FYP) should be submitted to the Fund through the respective Head of Departments on the prescribed Recommendation Form. All the recommendation received will be evaluated by a committee of experts constituted by the Fund. Final decision pertaining to the selection of any project for this initiative shall be taken by the National ICT R&D Fund.

Download the Recommendation form for National Gross Roots ICT Research Initiative HERE

Q&A

Q. No 1: Who is eligible for funding under the initiative?

Ans: The undergraduate students enrolled in chartered Public and Private sector Universities in an ICT related discipline and registered/undertaking their Final Year Projects are eligible to apply for funding under this initiative through their respective Head of Departments (HoDs).

Q. No 2: How much funding is available for a Final Year Project (FYP) under the initiative?

Ans: A maximum of up to Rs 75,000/- can be provided to a single Final Year Project (FYP) with certain restrictions. Details have already been provided to the University administration.

Q. No 3: What is the number of projects that could be submitted by a University?

Ans: Each University/Institution can submit a maximum of 10 projects per ICT related department/discipline.

Q. No 4: How many projects per University will be funded under this initiative?

Ans: The fund would like to accommodate maximum number of quality projects provided they are selected by committee of experts of National ICT R&D Fund. However, due to budget limitations all recommended projects will likely not to be funded.

Q. No 5: Can students who have graduated and have already completed their Final Year Projects (FYPs) apply for funding under this initiative?

Ans: No, such students are not eligible to apply under this initiative.

Q. No 6: What is the deadline for submission of Final Year Project (FYP) Recommendation Form?

Ans: The last date for submission of forms to National ICT R&D Fund is March 31, 2012. It should be noted that forms submitted directly by the students to National ICT R&D Fund will not be entertained.

Q. No 7: What is the procedure for submission of Final Year Project (FYP) Recommendation Form?

Ans: Only prescribed “Final Year Project (FYP) Recommendation Form” can be submitted through respective Head of Departments (HoDs) for this initiative.

Q. No 8: What are ICT related disciplines?

Ans: The ICT related disciplines include Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecom Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer System Engineering, Software Engineering, Information & Communication System Engineering, Computer Science & Information Technology.

Q. No 9: Are students of MS/M/Phil eligible to apply?

Ans: No. Only students enrolled in undergraduate ICT related degree programs are eligible to apply for funding under this initiative.

Q. No 10: The current initiative is for which semester?

Ans: The current initiative for which nominations are being invited is aimed to target those final year undergraduate students who have registered and are undertaking their Final Year Projects (FYPs) during the Spring 2012 semester.

Q. No 11: Will the program be again launched for those who would be undertaking their Final Year Projects (FYPs) in Fall 2012?

Ans: It is envisaged that the program will continue for students planning to enroll in Final Year Projects in Fall 2012 semester. However, detailed information regarding this will be made available at our website later on.

NOTE: National ICT R&D Fund (“Company”) reserves the right to amend or alter any of the terms and conditions with respect to the National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative (“Initiative”) . Final decisions pertaining to the Initiative rest with the Company.