Research Grants available from the MRC Mauritius Research Council 18 th July 2007

Layout of the presentation  Introduction to the Council and its activities  An overview of the MRC research grant schemes

1. Introduction to the Council Vision  To be the driving force behind research for national development Mission  Promoting and pioneering research for sustainable development to enhance the quality of life of the people of Mauritius

Objectives (MRC Act, 1992)  Foster, promote and coordinate research and development in all spheres of scientific, technological, social and economic activities.  Advise the Government on all matters concerning scientific and technological policies.  Lay guidelines for, and initiate the formulation of research and development policies on a national basis.  Encourage commercial utilisation of research and development results in the national interest. Objectives (MRC Act, 1992)  Foster, promote and coordinate research and development in all spheres of scientific, technological, social and economic activities.  Advise the Government on all matters concerning scientific and technological policies.  Lay guidelines for, and initiate the formulation of research and development policies on a national basis.  Encourage commercial utilisation of research and development results in the national interest.

Research Priority Areas  Ocean Technology and Marine Resources  Waste Management and Recycling  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy  Biomedical and Biotechnology  Science and Technology Education

2. MRC Research Grant Schemes  Unsolicited Research Grant Scheme (1993)  Solicited Research Grant Scheme (1998)  Private Sector Collaborative R.G.S (1999)  Small Scale Research Grant Scheme (2000)  Public Sector Collaborative R.G.S (March 2005)  MRC Postgraduate Award (September 2005)  Unsolicited Research Grant Scheme (1993)  Solicited Research Grant Scheme (1998)  Private Sector Collaborative R.G.S (1999)  Small Scale Research Grant Scheme (2000)  Public Sector Collaborative R.G.S (March 2005)  MRC Postgraduate Award (September 2005)

Unsolicited R.G.S  Bottom-up approach  Individuals/team submit through their provider institution  Administrative screening  Peer review [intellectual merit, relevance to national priority, manageability, potential for application & capacity building]  Project Management Committee

Solicited R.G.S  Top Down  MRC defines research topic  Institutions, researchers bid to conduct the research project  OR MRC conducts the research in-house

Private Sector Collaborative R.G.S  Take research beyond the walls of academia  Joint Private sector & academia submission  3 Phases –feasibility, refinement, commercial application  PI: scientific, technical & commercial merit  PII: concept refinement & continue research effort  PIII: pursue commercial application

Public Sector Collaborative R.G.S  Initiative jointly funded by the MoCS & MRC  Aimed at researchers and research institutions in the public sector  promotion of research to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector  Multidisciplinary, inter-institutional or inter- departmental  Flexitime  Performance & Quality Management  Leadership & Motivation  Human Resource Management

MRC Postgraduate Award  Aimed at encouraging individuals already in employment to undertake part-time research, leading to the award of MPhil or PhD  Awards will focus on project proposals falling within the priority research themes

Small Scale R.G.S  Graduates, teachers, medical staff, NGOs, personnel of public sector…etc  Submission submitted with a recognised institutions e.g UoM.  Booklet on small scale research

Allocation of Funds by Schemes

Distribution of Funds

Our Research Partners

Initiatives of the Council  Steering committee on biomedical research  Awareness workshop on traditional medicine  Booklet on type II diabetes in Mauritius  Guidelines on research ethics and conduct of research  Code of care and responsibility in the use of animals in research  Ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving human subjects