MUSCAT: With the aim of strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and various government bodies in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, the ministry announced the launch of the Strategic Research Projects Programme (SRPP).
The research programme is directed to address research challenges of national priority in government institutions and it is an updated version of the Strategic Research Programme established in 2010.
strong economy
The programme’s mechanism of action depends on the principle of partnership between the ministry and government bodies. The outputs of these research projects will contribute to building a strong economy based on knowledge and scientific evidence.
Speaking of the objectives of the programme, Dr Salah al Zadjali, Director General of Research Programmes and Capacity Building at MoHERI, said that the Strategic Research Projects Programme seeks to find scientific and applied solutions through competitive research proposals that focus on national priorities in various service, economic and social fields.
He added that the programme will contribute in enhancing constructive cooperation between the parties to the research system (governmental, academic and private sectors), transferring knowledge and increasing the number of research in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to promoting research excellence in accordance to international research standards.
The programme also aims to build national capabilities and a strong knowledge-based
economy, which will contribute to
diversifying sources of income in the country, creating job opportunities and coming up with recommendations for decision-makers to create or update policies, legislations and general procedures.
Regarding financial requirements, Dr Salah al Zedjali elaborated that the ministry undertakes the contribution of a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of one project, and in an amount not exceeding RO 50,000 for each research project approved, and in return, the remaining partners, who either manage or implement these research projects, shall cover the remaining cost of the project and provide the necessary support.
The evaluation of research proposals is based on the criteria of research excellence, the criteria for linking to institutional challenges, the impact of the research outputs and their applicability, with the priority be given to research proposals and projects that serve a set of national priorities.
Refereed research proposals submissions will be announced annually through the Research Information Management System (RIMS). The opening of applications will also be announced through the ministry’s social media platforms. For this year, submissions are currently open for the Strategic Research Projects Program through RIMS since January and it will close on March 17, 2022. — ONA
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