1. Fostering Excellence Through Knowledge and Innovation
Namibia’s National Research, Science & Technology (RST) Fund Funding Research & Innovation
ICT SUMMIT, 2015
Fostering Excellence Through Knowledge and Innovation

2. The R&D&I Value Chain
Basic research
Applied Research
Realisation of an innovation
Product Development
Technology Transfer
Resource needs generally increase along the value chain
NCRST provides funding cross the entire R&D and Innovation value chain

3. Focus on NPRSTI www.ncrst.na 3 year programme (aligned with NDP cycle)
Stakeholder consultation
Approved by Cabinet (2015)
15 Thematic Priority Research Areas

4. RST & I Target - NATIONAL
In terms of Section 18 of RST Act, 2004
National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Programme (NRSTIP)
2014 to 2017
Toward a knowledge based society

5. RST & I Target - SADC
Research, Science, Technology and Innovation in SADC
SADC Protocol on STI
Enhanced collaboration among member states
Invest 1% of GDP in R&D
Source: SADC Protocol on STI 2008

6. RST Fund: Grant Rules & Procedures
In draft form
View to implement in 2016/2017

7. Funding Programmes Talent research & Repatriation for R&D
Independent Research Scientists Development Award
Research Programmes
Open Research Project
Small Research Project Grant
Conference Grants
Research Demonstration Grants
Exploratory / development Grants
Dissertation & Pre-doctoral Grants
Postdoctoral Individual Award
Promotion of Regional & International R&D
NPRSTI Priority Research area Grants
Strengthening Infrastructure: aligned with the National Strategy for RSTI
Funding Innovation
Capacity Building in support of the NPSTI
Flagship Programmes

8. Annual Call Schedule
A Call Schedule is developed annually – serves as a guide for the types of programmes that will be funded during that year
The Calls are aligned to the Research Priority Areas identified in the NPRSTI
Detailed calls for proposals containing criteria and closing dates for submission of proposals are issued in the print media and on the NCRST website.
The main idea behind the development of a call schedule is to allow research and innovation capabilities to be built from the bottom up and step by step depending on the availability of funds.

9. Current Call Schedule 2014/2015
Call Code
Call Type
Target Beneficiaries
NPRSTI Focus area
Call Open Period*
4th NCRST Call
Call for Youth Innovators
Youth
All with a special focus on Innovation
July – Aug 2015
5th NCRST Call
Call for Preserving Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Senior Citizens & Young Researchers (Graduates) / Including Call for traditional / indigenous remedies & nutrition
IKS, Biotechnology and Health
July - Aug 2015
6th NCRST Call
Call for MSc Research Proposals
MSc Candidates
All
Aug – Sep 2015
7th NCRST Call
Call for SME Manufacturers / Industrial Sectors
SME's & Industry
Manufacturing
Sep - Oct 2015
8th NCRST Call
Call for Entrepreneurs (solutions to local authority needs)
Local Authorities & Regional Councils (Region Specific)
All [with a special focus on Land, Agriculture, Water, Sanitation & Health]
9th NCRST Call
Call for Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
Youth, ICT guru's, Innovators
ICT, Innovation
Sep – Oct 2015
10th NCRST Call
Call for Improving Health Systems in Namibia
Researchers in the Health Sector
Health
Jan – Feb 2016
Publications
Publication of Scientific Journals / Books
All scientific / research institutions
Aug – Sep 2015
NPRSTI Strategic Calls
Call for Projects within NPRSTI Strategic Priority areas (unpacked)
Lead Institutions
Oct - Nov 2015
Jan - Feb 2016
Human Capacity Development
Call for Workshops & Conferences
Institutions
Aug - Sep 2015
Jan – Feb 2016

10. Research, Science & Technology (RST)
Current Funding Model
Current Funding Model
GVT
Research, Science & Technology (RST)
FUND
Grants towards
NPRSTI priority areas
RSTI Targets
NCRST

11. Desired / Future Funding Model REPORT ON TOTAL INVESTMENT IN R&D
Desired Funding Model
Desired / Future Funding Model
GVT
Direct Expenditure on R&D
PVT
NGO
International Resource partners
Own resources
Grants towards
NPRSTI priority research areas
RSTI Targets
COORDINATION ROLE
REPORT ON TOTAL INVESTMENT IN R&D
Research, Science & Technology (RST)
FUND
NCRST

12. Establishment of the Fund in terms of Section 23 of RST Act, 2004
Desired Funding Model
Establishment of the Fund in terms of Section 23 of RST Act, 2004
April 2015
March 2016 `
Desired state

13. Available Resources & allocation
A. Financial: Budget for 2015/16
Items Description
2015/16
NCRST GRN Allocation
N$73,618,000
Commitments and Provisions
N$14,669,100
Balance brought forward
N$40,000,000
Total Funds available
N$135,437,101

14. Timeline of activities
1st Call Researchers
2nd Call Research Groups
To be confirmed
2013
2014
2015
2016
- Establishment
- 3rd Bilateral Call
- 3rd Call PhD Researchers
4th Call Youth Innovators
5th Call Workshops / Conferences / Training
6th Call for MSc Researcher
7th Call for SME Manufacturers
8th Call for Entrepreneurs with solutions to local authority needs
9th Call for projects addressing any NPRSTI Priority areas

15. Year Awarded (Projects run for two years)
Investment in R&D
Call Name
Target beneficiaries
Funding Value
No of Projects
Year Awarded (Projects run for two years)
3rd Bilateral Call
Collaborating researchers
4,409,342 30
2014/2015
1st NCRST Call
Individual Researchers & capacity building
7,432,000 23
2015/2016
2nd NCRST Call
Research Groups & Capacity building
6,020,000 14
3rd NCRST Call
PhD researchers (full time)
1,940,000
Totals
19,801,342 97

16. 83 N$ 7,000,000 NCRST 1st NATIONAL CALLS – ANALYSIS
Organisational Analysis
Total No. applications received 83
Total Funding requested
N$ 49,461,801
Total Funding available
N$ 7,000,000
Priority Area irt Funding Requested
Gender Analysis

17. 39 N$ 6,000,000 NCRST 2ND NATIONAL CALLS - RG – PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
*Organisational Analysis
Total No. applications received 39
Total Funding requested
N$ 19,833,747
Total Funding available
N$ 6,000,000
*For full names of organisations kindly refer to the full report
Priority Area Analysis
Gender Analysis

18. 97 N$ 3,000,000 NCRST 3rd NATIONAL CALL- PHD – PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS
Total No. applications received 97
Duration of studies;
Budget
Sources of funding
Total Funding requested
n/a
Total Funding available
N$ 3,000,000
Priority Area Analysis
Gender Analysis

19. Strategic positioning - researchers
National Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Programme (NRSTIP)
2014 to 2017
Next Steps
Unpack Strategic Initiatives (Lead & partners))
Formulate projects (Lead & partners))
Lead & partners mobilise funds for projects
Project Implementation (Lead)
Monitoring & Evaluation & Reporting (NCRST)
Input to improving Strategic Initiatives for NPRSTI

20. Grant Management Process

21. Improving service delivery - NCRST
RST Fund Framework (Grant Mgmt) approval – in progress
R&D&I Survey – in progress
M&E System Development – in progress
Migration to a digital system (online grant management & automation)
Responsive
Efficient disbursement system (aligned with Tertiary calendars)
Efficient online application portal
User access rights
Data analytics
Private Sector Engagement
National Centers of Excellence
Research Chairs

22. Thank You