Briefing on Activities of
Pakistan Science Foundation
PAKISTAN SCIENCE FOUNDATION
1- Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad
Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF)
 Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) was established in
1973 through an Act of the Parliament. It works
under the administrative control of Ministry of Science
& Technology (MoST).
 Similar types of Foundations/organizations including
US National Science Foundation, UK Foundation for
S&T, Indian Science & Technology Department,
Chinese National Natural Science Foundation and
many more are working for promotion of Science and
Technology all over the world.
Main Objectives
 Promotion and funding of scientific research
and related activities having bearing on socioeconomic needs of the country.
 Popularization of science for the development
of science culture in society.
Policy Guidelines
PSF takes guidelines from the following major
documents/sources:
 PSF Act 1973 by the Parliament.
 Directives from the Ministry of Science and
Technology.
 Policy Documents of Government of Pakistan
including National Science Technology and
Innovation Policy 2012.
Some Policy Actions
 “To significantly enhance the research funding role
of PSF in direct support of projects, which have
been thoroughly vetted by experts and deemed to
have significant effect on national economy”. [STI
Policy 2012, P-9]
 “Strengthening PSF programs and
Outreach for effective dissemination of
information evoking public interest in science
through, inter alia, science caravans and
exhibitions”. [STI Policy 2012, P-23]
Subsidiary organizations of PSF are;
 Pakistan Scientific & Technological Information Centre
(PASTIC), Islamabad
 Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH),
Islamabad
Organizational Chart
Ministry of Science & Technology
Pakistan Science Foundation
Executive Committee
Science Wing
Chairman
Board of Trustees
Admin Wing
Pakistan Scientific & Technological
Information Centre (PASTIC)
Finance Wing
Pakistan Museum of Natural
History (PMNH)
Statutory Functions
(1) The Foundation functions as the financing agency for:
I. The promotion of basic and fundamental research in the
universities & other institutions on scientific problems relevant
to the socio-economic development of the country;
Major Achievements
i. Almost all Universities and R&D organizations of the
countries are undertaking a large number of scientific
research projects funded by PSF.
ii. Brief of Research Projects (Province-wise)
iii. Major S&T disciplines funded by PSF are, Agriculture
Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology,
Chemical
Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Medical Sciences,
Environment, Earth Sciences and Computer Sciences.
Contd…
Standard Procedure for Project Funding by PSF
Principal Investigators
Review at
PSF
Review By Subject Expert
Technical Committee
(10 -12 Scientists)
PSF Executive Committee
Funds Released
Monitoring & Evaluation
(6-monthly & Annual Progress Reports)
Prescribed Form
Statutory Functions
II. Establishment of comprehensive scientific and
technological information and dissemination centres;
Major Achievements
i. PASTIC National Centre, QAU, Islamabad
ii. Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad
iii. PSF Science Centres, Science Caravans, and PASTIC Sub
Centres at
i. Faisalabad
ii.
Lahore
iii. Karachi
iv.
Quetta
v. Peshawar
vi.
Muzzafarabad (AJK)
vii. Sukkur
viii. Tandojam
ix. Jaffarabad
(Establishment of Science Centres in
Gilgit-Baltistan is underway)
Contd…
Statutory Functions
III.
The utilization of the results of scientific and technological
research including pilot plant studies to prove the
technical and economic feasibility of processes found to be
promising on a laboratory scale.
Major Achievements
i. PSF undertakes R&D Projects in collaboration with
Universities, Chamber of Commerce and Industries for proper
utilization of the research findings. Brief of the some R&D
Projects .
Contd…
PSF Model for Industrial Research Projects
Identification
of
Project Concept
-Chambers
-Industry (Public/Private)
-Seminars/Workshops
-Institutions/Professionals
Initial Analysis
Identification of Researcher
Preparation of the Project
-Academia
-R&D Institutes
-Researcher/Scientist
Review
-PSF/Experts
Funding
-PSF/NSLP/Industry
Statutory Functions
IV. the establishment of science centres, science clubs,
museums, herbaria and planetaria;
V. the promotion of scientific societies, associations and
academies engaged in spreading the cause of scientific
knowledge in general or in the pursuit of a specific
scientific discipline or technology in particular;
Contd…
Statutory Functions
VI.
the organizations of periodical science
conferences, symposia and seminars;
During 2013-14, PSF provided partial financial
assistance for 42 Science Conferences/Seminars and
training workshops. Detail of the conference.
VII.
the exchange of visits of scientists and
technologists with other countries;
Contd…
Statutory Functions
VIII.
the grant of awards, prizes and fellowships to
individuals engaged in developing processes, products and
inventions of consequence to the economy of the country;
PSF support scientists, technologist, research scholars and
young students to develop invention-innovation culture in
the country. Invention-Innovation Summit is organized in
collaboration with Universities and local Industries. During
2013-14, the Summit was inaugurated by Honorable Mr.
Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning & Development. The
Summit provides a great forum to the Inventors and
Innovators to share their products and procedure with the
Industry. Prizes are also awarded to the outstanding
participants.
Contd…
Statutory Functions
IX.special scientific surveys not undertaken by any
other organization and collection of scientific
statistics related to the scientific effort of the
country;
PSF also provide funds to the Scientists for any
scientific survey required for research study etc.
Contd…
Statutory Functions
(2) the Foundation shall also: -
i.
review
the
progress
of
scientific
research
sponsored by PSF and evaluate the results of such
research;
Evaluation and Monitoring Procedure to review:
i. Review of progress reports by PSF Scientists
ii. Evaluation of progress reports by Subject
Experts
iii. Assessment of progress reports by the
Technical Committees
iv.On-Site monitoring of projects by Experts/PSF
scientists
Statutory Functions
(2) the Foundation shall also: ii. maintain a national register of highly qualified
and talented scientists of Pakistan, including
engineers and doctors;
 PSF has the highly qualified and talented
scientists as the Members of its Technical
Committees.
 At present, there are more than 450 Scientists
on PSF panel as subject experts or members
of its technical committees.
Statutory Functions
(3) the Foundation shall also: -
iii. Establish liaison with similar bodies in other
countries.
At present PSF is actively working for various
collaborative projects and activities with a number
of international organization including National
Natural Science Foundation, China; European
Union; Paris Academy of Sciences; Centre
Science, France; Natural History Museum, Paris;
UNESCO, US Department of Agriculture, British
Council, ECO, The Scientific and Technological
Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkey
and many others. Details
Research Support Programme
1. PAK-US NSLP Endowment Fund:
Natural Sciences with focus on Agriculture and Related
Disciplines. PSF with support of US Department of
agriculture is operating an Endowment fund for
promotion of Agricultural Sciences. (Prescribed Form)
Details of the NSLP funded Projects
Achievements/Performance (2009 to 2014)
A. Research Funding
B. Research Support (Other Activities)
C. Science Popularization Activities
Contd…
Network of PSF
PSF/PASTIC/PMNH (Head Offices)
Peshawar
Muzaffarabad
Islamabad
PASTIC Sub Centres (06)
Science Caravan Units (09)
D.I. Khan
Planned new locations of
Science Caravan Units
Quetta
Faisalabad
Bahawalpur
Jaffarabad
Sukkur
Karachi
Tando Jam
Summary Statement (Non-Development Budget)
(Rs. in Million)
Year
Expenditure
Approved
Statutory
Admin
2009-10
109.000
45.400
63.600
2010-11
146.085
69.430
76.650
2011-12
153.000
55.000
95.000
2012-13
153.000
40.550
112.450
2013-14
149.271
23.929
125.342
Utilization of Budget
180
160
Rs. In Million
200
140
Total
120
100
Admin. Exp.
80
60
Statutory Exp.
40
20
0
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
Budget Comparison with International similar
Organizations
Sr.
Organizations
No
Year
(US $
/Million/Annum)
1. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF),
Pakistan
2013-14
1.50
2. Science & Technology Department,
India
2012-13
478
3. The Scientific and Technological
Research Council of Turkey
(TUBITAK), Turkey
2010-11
1186
2012-13
2800
2013-14
7000
4.
The National Natural Science
Foundation of China (NNSF), China
5. US-National Science Foundation
(US-NSF), USA
Summary Statement
(Development Budget-PSDP Projects )
(Rs. in Million)
Year
Approved
Expenditure
2009-10
4.131
4.131
2010-11
1.120
1.120
2011-12
3.000
3.000
2012-13
4.500
4.500
2013-14
5.000
5.000
List of PSDP Projects
Funds from International Collaborations
S. No
Sponsoring Agency /Purpose
Year
Rs. Million
1.
UNESCO MAB Program
2013-14
7.88
2.
Pakistan National Commission for
UNESCO (Strengthening of Science
Centre)
2010-11
1.99
Embassy of France (Organizing
Training Workshops for Teachers &
Traveling Expo )
2011-12
1.47
Embassy of France (Organizing
Training Workshops for Teachers and
Traveling Expo, IBSE)
2012-13
2.99
5.
UNESCO, Islamabad (Popularization of
Science at Grassroots level)
2013-14
1.27
6.
Embassy of France (Traveling Expo –
Training Workshop )
2013-14
0.369
3.
4.
Future Plans
 Strengthening of statutory functions (Project Funding/Science
Popularization)
 Enhanced Coordination with Chambers of Commerce & Industry for
Applied Research Projects.
 Establishment of five science centers in Bahawalpur, Tandojam,
Khairpur, Lasbela, Mansehra (under submission)
 Implementation of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in Pakistan
 Strengthening International Collaborations with TUBITAK, EU
(Horizon 2020), UNESCO, TIKA.
 Declaration of New Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO-MAB
Program
 Establishment of Pakistan Science Museum at Shakarparian Islamabad
(allocation of land by CDA under process)
 Implementation of National STI Policy 2012
 Strengthening PSF programmes and outreaches
 Schemes for invoking interest in science at the very early age
 Motivational programmes for students to engage in creative activities
Major Issues
 Shortage of Non-Development Budget for statutory functions
(47 projects could not be funded during FY 2011-12, 2012-13
& 2013-14 due to shortage of funds)
 Brain drain
 Ban on fresh recruitments
 Establishment of R&D Industry Endowment Fund
Some Pictorial Glimpses