Intensification Of Research In Priority Areas (IRPA)

INTRODUCTION

The Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) programme was introduced in 1988 with the purpose to focus one research and development (R&D) activities in areas which have the potential for enhancing the national socio-economic position.

In allocating grants for R&D projects, the National Council for Scientific Research and Development (MPKSN) adheres to several principles. These are:

	To fund projects which are of high national priority and commercialisable;
	To fund projects which address the needs of Malaysian Industry;
	To encourage collaborative efforts among research institutions;
	To enhance R&D linkages between the public and private sectors.

The main bulk of IRPA funding will be allocated to activities that will lead to commercialisation. However, in the interest of generating more capabilities and expertise within the country, some funding allocation will also be given to research activities directed towards knowledge advancement as a long term measure for building capacity towards K-economy.

FORM OF ASSISTANCE

Qualifying projects

All R&D projects that are in line with the IRPA and have been approved by the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) are eligible to receive grants under the IRPA Programme.

IRPA grants cover direct research projects expenses, including emolument of contract personnel. They do not cover the emolument of permanent staff. The amount of the grant will be determined by MOSTE based on a review of the estimated total cost of the project and of its associated expenses. In the event that the grants does not cover all project expenses, additional funding sources may need to be tapped to cover the shortfall in funding.

Non-qualifying Expenses

Construction of infrastructure, such as buildings and laboratories, as well as purchases of equipment which are related to the buildings/laboratories, do not qualify for funding under the IRPA programme. However, these expenses may be considered for Prioritised and Strategic Research projects.

Mission-oriented activities for research organisations are not qualified to receive grant under this programme.

Category of Research Project

Under the RMK8, three categories of research project will be implemented as listed below:

	Experimental Applied Research. Projects should be towards generating institutional capacity and knowledge advancement. It should have the elements of commercialisation potential. The projects could also involve more than one institution. Projects should be completed within 36 months.
	Prioritised Research. Projects should emphasise on immediate needs of the country. It should be multi-institutional multi-disciplinary with industry linkages and commercialisation potential. The project should not exceed more than 5 years.
	Strategic Research. Projects should focus on future competitive socio-economic environment or new breakthroughs in scientific fields. They should be multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary with industry linkages and commercialisation potential. The project should not exceed 5 years.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Research organisations and institutions of higher education in the public sector are eligible under the IRPA Programme to receive R&D grants. Private sector entities can participate in the programme in association with the above mentioned organisations on industry-wide research projects. However fully owned corporatised government institutions are also eligible for IRPA funding subject to the approval by MOSTE.

HOW TO APPLY

Experimental Applied Research Project

All applications for IRPA research grant should be submitted using the standard IRPA application Form. Each form should consist of only one project.

Institution IRPA Coordinator is required to submit to IRPA Secretariat one hard copy of application form and technical evaluation report of each recommended project together with the Summary of Project Application and Summary of Project Evaluation in a single merged electronic file in Excel format.

Prioritised and Strategic Research Projects

Application

Researchers are required to submit a brief proposal that should not be more than 3 pages and consist of the following items:

	Research priority areas
	Proposed research project title
	Principal research programme, including scope, objective, methodology and activities
	Research team complete with their curriculum vitae
	Marketing opportunities
	Business and economic analysis
	Budgetary requirement, and
	Expected commercialised/breakthrough outcome

Detail description may be included as attachments.

Expert Screening

IRPA Technical Committee will screen the brief proposal taking into consideration the followings:

	Scopes and activities of research project to be carried out
	Research objectives
	Research methodology
	Project duration
	Project leader, and
	Budget requirement

Formal Application

For a selected project, a complete project proposal is to be submitted using the standard IRPA form. A proposal consisting of several subprojects, should be submitted together with a copy of the overall research programme to IRPA secretariat at MOSTE through the lead institution coordinator.

Apart from the hard copy of the application form, the application summaries should also be sent in a single, merged electronic file in Excel format.

Evaluation

IRPA Technical Committee will evaluate all applications and make recommendation to the IRPA Coordinating Committee.

Deadline

Submission of project proposal can be done anytime during the year.

Notification of Result

Researchers will be notified through their institutions of the status of their applications. Enquiries about the status of the application may be made through the IRPA Coordinators of their respective institutions.

Payments

Payment will be made through the respective institutions four time a year.

Project Monitoring and Reporting

Under the 8^th Malaysia Plan, significant emphasis will be placed on monitoring of projects. Such monitoring will include an evaluation of project outputs, organisational outcomes and sectoral/national impacts of projects. As such, institution IRPA coordinators are required to submit to the IRPA Secretariat, the following reports for each project:

	A summary of Monthly Financial Report for all approved project, by the fifth of the following month.
	Quarterly Financial Report
	A Milestone Achievement Report
	An End of Project Report within 3 months of project completion
	A Benefits Report no later than 18 months after project completion (only for projects identified by IRPA Secretariat) and
	MOSTE will monitor the progress of projects by conducting visits to the institutions.

Publication and Intellectual Property Rights

Researchers are encouraged to publish the results of their projects in local and overseas journals and publications. Researchers must, however, obtain approval from the head of their institution for these publications, to ensure that the national interests are not compromised.

Researchers should indicate, in all publications, the sources of funding for the project and acknowledge the contribution of the various public entities to the project.

Intellectual Property Rights

Institutions are encouraged to apply for patent registration, locally and overseas of the results of projects which have potential for commercialisation. In addition, institutions are also encouraged to be active in commercialising the results of such projects.

Royalties and any other form of fees received by the institution resulting from technology transfer, licensing of technology or any other form of commercialisation, shall belong to the institution and government.

Information on Application Process and Procedure

The details of the IRPA Process and Procedure are spelt out in the Users’ Manual for 8^th Malaysia Plan which can be obtained from the IRPA Coordinator of the respective Research Institutions/Universities or the IRPA Secretariat at the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. Further inquiries can be directed to:

The IRPA Secretariat,

Science and Technology Division,

Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment,

Level 2, Block C5, Parcel C,

Federal Government Administrative Centre,

62662 Putrajaya.

Tel: 03-8885 8046 / 8047

Fax: 03-8889 2994

Email: irpa@moste.gov.my

Web site : http://www.moste.gov.my/s&t

[ Home ] [ Up ]