Annual Report 1996

A A Framework for Off-shore R&D Projects

In order to conduct technical dissemination to more people via its trained Fellows, UNU/IIST establishes a Programme of Off-shore R&D Projects.

UNU/IIST encourages R&D groups in developing countries to apply for Off-shore R&D Projects. Such projects must follow-up in the UNU/IIST research and development agenda.

1. Annual/Biennial Announcement:

   This agenda, and especially the specifics of `announced' R&D projects will be announced and updated annually -- typically after the annual UNU/IIST Board Meeting.

2. Who May Apply:

   Any R&D group of 2-5 persons in developing countries can apply for UNU/IIST Off-shore projects, if it satisfies the following criteria:

   1. at least one group member has visited UNU/IIST as a UNU/IIST Visitor or Fellow;

   2. the group must be led by a former UNU/IIST Visitor or Fellow;

   3. the majority of group members have at least an M.Sc. degree (or equivalent), and has been well-educated in the basics of computer science and software engineering; and

   4. all group members speak and write good English.

3. Project length

   A UNU/IIST Off-shore Project is usually a two-year project.

4. Call for Off-shore R&D Projects

   The Annual or Biennial Off-shore R&D Project Announcement includes:

   1. General outline of UNU/IIST's Research and Advanced Development Agenda

   2. List of one-two page detailed R&D Topics that UNU/IIST wishes carried out in Off-shore R&D Projects

   3. Proposed Layout format for Off-shore R&D Project Application

   4. Criteria for Evaluation of Off-shore R&D Project Application

   5. Deadline for Off-shore R&D Project Application

5. Application Format:

   The proposed Off-shore R&D Project Application Layout includes:

   1. Title and Abstract/Summary of proposal, 1 page

   2. Elaboration of the announced topic: technical contents, research, science and technology benefits, 1-2 pages

   3. Method of R&D to be followed, 1-2 pages

   4. Manpower (load) and time plan, 1 page

   5. Milestones, 1/2 page

   6. Deliverables, 1 page

   7. Project Management, 1/2 page

   8. Brief group member CVs, 1/2 page per member

   9. Budget, 1 page

   10. A financing plan:

       How much from UNU/IIST, how much from other sources; 1/2 page⁴¹

   11. List of previous achievements: projects, publications, 2-3 pages

6. Institutional Binding:

   An application must be authenticated, and thus recognized by the institution of the group which applies for UNU/IIST support.

7. Notification:

   UNU/IIST will notify applicants of its decision 6-8 weeks after deadline for applications.

8. Funding Support and Expenditure Objects:

   An accepted application will usually obtain a UNU/IIST Off-shore R&D Project fund of US$5,000 per year. The UNU/IIST fund can be spent for:

   1. journal subscription and/or book acquisition,

   2. conference travel and/or travel to other institutions,

   3. updating and/or upgrading computing equipment, and

   4. other justifiable expenditures.

9. Expenditure Management:

   All proposed expenditures are decided upon by the project group leader, but reviewed, accepted and actually effected (i.e. managed) by UNU/IIST.

10. Acknowledgment:

    Each report, publication, and software package resulting more or less directly from a UNU/IIST co-sponsored Off-shore R&D Project must clearly acknowledge the (partial) support of UNU/IIST. Similarly it is expected that annual or similar reports of the group institution will likewise prominently acknowledge UNU/IIST support.

11. Project Monitoring:

    UNU/IIST will assign a UNU/IIST staff member to monitor the R&D work of an Off-shore Project group. The monitor will secure:

    1. constant exchange of ideas and intermediate results,

    2. mutual visits -- at UNU/IIST expense, and

    3. possible training of group members at UNU/IIST for six-12 months as UNU/IIST Fellow.

12. Evaluation:

    Off-shore R&D Projects will be reviewed (evaluated) each year by UNU/IIST staff and/or UNU/IIST selected, external experts. UNU/IIST may stop its support for such Off-shore R&D Projects which do not live up to our expectations.

13. Joint R&D Project Workshops:

    UNU/IIST may organize an annual workshop as a joint forum for its Macau-based and Off-shore R&D Projects.

14. Co-funding:

    UNU/IIST will seek co-funding from The World Bank, UNDP, UNESCO, and other UN System, as well as other funding sources -- to help recover costs of this new, UNU/IIST Off-shore R&D Project initiative.

Annual Report 1996