ISSUE: 1 Rev: 0
MRC/QMS/DOC/092
Mauritius Research Council
SME Innovation Grant Scheme
(An initiative of the National Resilience Fund & the
Research and Development Working Group)
Guidelines to Applicants
May 2015
Issue: 1 Rev: 0
PRIVACY STATEMENT
The information requested on these proposal forms is solicited under the authority of the National
Resilience Fund Committee. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals and
may be disclosed to qualified experts and the staff of the Mauritius Research Council as part of the review
process, award decisions, or the administration of awards.
Note: Proposals not meeting the proposal content requirements which are listed and explained in this
solicitation will not be considered.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
2.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SIGS ............................................................................................... 1
2.1 Aims .................................................................................................................................. 1
2.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................................... 1
3.
ELIGIBILITY .................................................................................................................................... 1
4.
ALLOWABLE AND NON-ALLOWABLE .............................................................................................. 1
4.1 Allowable Expenses ............................................................................................................. 1
4.2 Non Allowable Expenses ...................................................................................................... 1
5.
CALLS FOR PROPOSALS .................................................................................................................. 1
5.1 First Call for Proposal ........................................................................................................... 2
5.2 Funding and Duration .......................................................................................................... 2
5.4 How to apply ...................................................................................................................... 2
5.5 Modalities for selection and evaluation ................................................................................. 2
6.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS ............................................................................................................ 3
6.1 Budget Reallocation ............................................................................................................ 3
7.
DISCLAIMER .................................................................................................................................. 3
8.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION ......................................................................................................... 3
9.
CONTACT US.................................................................................................................................. 3
10. APPLICATION FORMS...................................................................................................................viii
1.
INTRODUCTION
In cases where there is a consortium of institutions applying
under this scheme, only one local SME or Start-up Company
must apply as the lead institution.
The Government Program 2015- 2019 lays emphasis on
stimulating innovation and growth of the economy
through Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In line
with this initiative, the Research and Development
Working Group (RDWG) has launched the SME Innovation
Grant Scheme (SIGS).
Eligible applicants must:
a.
b.
The SIGS is dedicated to SMEs and start-up companies or
a consortium of SMEs and start-up companies registered
and operating in the Republic of Mauritius.
The SIGS prioritises early stage funding for (innovative
Research and Development) ultimately leading to
development of prototypes, new processes and/or
techniques having high societal relevance.
Be an entity duly registered with the Registrar
of Companies in the Republic of Mauritius
Have an annual turn-over not exceeding MUR
50M (fifty Million Mauritian Rupees)
4.
ALLOWABLE AND NON-ALLOWABLE
4.1
Allowable Expenses

associated costs for expansion such as
investment in new technologies, systems and
software
2.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SIGS

associated training and capacity building
expenses
2.1
Aims

aspects of experimental research and
development to create new applications or
prototypes

duly justified consultancy fees



2.2
Facilitate the development of prototypes,
innovative products/services having high
societal relevance and create knowledge,
jobs and wealth
Encourage SMEs and start-ups to collaborate
with private sector companies, academia
and research institutions.
4.2
Strengthen existing in-house R&D for
innovative product/process development
carried out by the SMEs and start-up
companies

Paying off debts

Covering of operational expenses

Writing up previous research,

Travel for general study,

Organisation of conferences, workshops or
seminars,

Preparation of books and publications, and

Academic studies for self-qualification
Objectives
The objectives are to provide, on a competitive basis,
incentives to SMEs and start-ups to create innovative
prototypes/products/processes
and
to
develop
technology having potentially high socio-economic
benefits.
3.
Non Allowable Expenses
5.
CALLS FOR PROPOSALS
Subject to availability of funds, the SIGS is restricted to
specific themes of National Priority as listed in section 5.1
below
ELIGIBILITY
This scheme is designed for SMEs or start-up companies
registered and operating in the Republic of Mauritius
only.
A local SME or start up may wish to collaborate with
other local or overseas companies, tertiary education
institutions and/or research organisations.
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5.1
First Call for Proposal
As stated in Paragraph 118 of the Budget Speech 20152016, Government will ban the use of plastic bags in
Mauritius as from the 1st January 20161.
The Project proposal must contain the following sections
(i) Background information (why)
(ii) Rationale (the reasoning behind the proposed solution)
(iii) Proposed methodology (how will the applicant
implement the proposed solution)
(iv) Innovative aspect(s) of the proposed product/process
(v) Budget requested (detailed breakdown of costs)
(vi) Deliverables and proposed time line
As an incentive to find sustainable solutions as
alternatives to these plastic bags, the Research and
Development Working Group (RDWG) has earmarked a
total sum of MUR 5 million for the first call for proposal
for the SIGS.
The RDWG invites interested parties to submit project
proposals under the following theme:
Before submitting the application form, the relevant
collaborating organisation (if any) should endorse it.
‘Innovative and environment friendly alternatives
to plastic bags’
5.2
Funding and Duration
The RDWG will award a maximum of MUR 1 million (One
Million Rupees) per approved project.
Modalities for selection and evaluation
5.5.1
Research
(RDWG)
and
Development
Working
Group
The Research and Development Working Group (RDWG),
co-chaired by the Executive Director of the Mauritius
Research Council (MRC) and the Director of Joint Economic
Council (JEC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance
and Economic Development (MoFED) will assess project
proposals, ensure independent review of the proposals,
award the grant to successfully peer reviewed projects and
monitor the progress of the awarded projects.
A maximum of 5 projects will be approved under the
current call for proposal
The maximum duration for funding of the project is six (6)
months following the date of signature of contract.
The expected outcome is an innovative prototype which
has significant potential to be used as alternative to
plastic bags currently being used, and/or a new process
for developing these alternatives
5.5.2
Mode of Submission
Applicants must submit their application (soft copy version
and original hard copy version) on the prescribed form
downloadable on the MRC website.(www.mrc.org.mu)
At the end of six month, out of the 5 awardees, the
applicant having developed the best innovative
prototype/process/product will be given the opportunity
to compete for the Collaborative Research and Innovation
Grant Scheme (CRIGS).
5.4
5.5
An administrative screening will be done by MRC to
determine its responsiveness to the specific requirements
of the SIGS. The expert opinion of independent assessors
relevant to the field(s) of the research proposal will be
sought. The following criteria will be used in the
assessment exercise.
How to apply
Interested parties must submit their proposals using the
prescribed template available on the MRC website.
•
Innovativeness of the proposal towards addressing the
priority field identified for this present call for proposal
•
Benefits accruing to a particular group or the society at
large
•
Aspects of value addition/ innovation/transfer of
technology in the proposed product, process and/or
technique to be developed
(iv) the cost breakdown of their expenses is clearly
detailed in the prescribed form
•
The relevance of the proposed product/process to the
advertised theme of the SIGS
Note: Not more than two (2) proposals may be
submitted by each applicant.
•
Quality of the proposal in terms of clarity of the
objectives and methodology to be used
•
Qualification(s) and expertise of the proposer(s) individual or team
5.4.1
How to write the project proposal
Applicants must ensure that:
(i) their project proposal falls under the priority theme
listed in 5.1 above
(ii) the objectives to be attained are well specified
(iii) the methodology to be used is clearly outlined, and
1http://www.investmauritius.com/budget2015/Download
/BudgetSpeech.pdf; Paragraph 118
2
•
Commercial potential of the project
•
Potential of the proposal to foster a research culture
and develop a synergy among participants.
6.
8.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
The Call for Proposal is open until the 19th of June 2015
15h30 at latest. All applications will be treated on a first
come first serve basis and based on merit.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
9.
Funding will be disbursed in instalments to the selected
applicant. The first instalment will be released upon
signing of the contractual agreements by all parties
concerned to enable the grantee to initiate the project.
CONTACT US
The proposal should be addressed to:
The Executive Director
Mauritius Research Council
Level 6, Ebene Heights,
34 Cybercity, Ebene, 72201
Mauritius
Further disbursements will be made to the selected
applicant on a milestone basis, upon receipt of a
satisfactory progress report for each of the specified
milestones together with a certified statement of
accounts and invoices, showing how the funds have been
utilised.
Tel: (230) 465 1235
Fax: (230) 465 1239
E-mail: mrc@intnet.mu
Website: http://www.mrc.org.mu
No awards will be made to applicants who are already
recipient of full project funding from other agencies for
the same or any similar project.
The RDWG reserves the right to revise and amend
the terms and conditions laid down
6.1
in this solicitation as and whenever necessary.
Budget Reallocation
Any redefinition and reallocation in the agreed tasks and
associated budget described in the Task Scheduling and
Budget Chart can only be carried out in consultation with
the RDWG which, if satisfied, will authorise the necessary
amendments.
7.
DISCLAIMER
•
The RDWG reserves the right to seek further
information and/or clarifications from the
proposer(s) of a research proposal before reaching a
final decision.
•
The RDWG will support all meritorious projects to the
extent of resources available. However, it is under
no obligation to fund any proposal or any number of
specific proposals on a given topic.
•
The RDWG will inform all proposers of the outcome
of their proposals. A decision will normally be made
within one month of the date limit for submission of
research proposals. However, there may be cases
where, because of the complexity of a proposal,
more time may be required for processing of the
proposals.
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10.
APPLICATION FORMS
MAURITIUS RESEARCH COUNCIL
FORM 4020
SME Innovation Grant Scheme (SIGS)
PROJECT SUMMARY
A. ROJECT OVERVIEW
1. PROJECT TITLE:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
PROJECT LEADER:
NAME OF SMALL BUSINESS OR START UP
NAME(S) OF COLLABORATORS (IF ANY)
PRIORITY AREA:
ESTIMATED BUDGET:
ESTIMATED DURATION:
8. GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
9. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
10. Short Summary of the project (maximum 500 words)
______________________________________
NAME AND SIGNATURE OF PROJECT LEADER
______________________________________
NAME AND SIGNATURE OF KEY COLLABORATORS IF ANY
______________________________________
NAME OF COMPANY
______________________________________
NAME AND SIGNATURE OF DIRECTOR
Date: _________________________________
viii
MAURITIUS RESEARCH COUNCIL
SME Innovation Grant Scheme (SIGS)
APPLICATION FORM
B. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
1. Name of Project Leader:
2. Title:
3. Address :
Mr./Mrs./Miss
4. Phone
5. Fax:
D
M Y
7. Date of
8. Nationality
birth
9. Registered Name of Small Business/Start-up::
10. Address:
6. e-mail:
11. Phone:
12. Fax:
14. Names of other members of the team and/or
partner institution(s)
13. e-mail:
15. Addresses
15. Rationale: Applicant should briefly explain the key targets to be achieved.
ix
FORM 4030
16. Proposed project: What are the aims and objectives of your work? You should also indicate the names and roles of
your collaborators (if any)
17.
What are the innovative aspects you are proposing? Does the proposed solution exist elsewhere? If yes give
details and justify what you are proposing which is different from the existing concept/process
18. Methodology to be used: what are the methods you are proposing to use to resolve the proposed project
YOU MAY ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE SECTIONS SHOULD YOU NEED IT
x
Form 4040
BUDGET CHART AND TASK SCHEDULING
1
Company Name:
FOR MRC USE ONLY
2
Project Leader:
Version 1.0
3
Project Title:
Project No:
4
Collaborators (if any):
5
Project Activities
Starting date:
Durations (months)
1
2
3
4
5
DURATION:
6
Equipment Cost, including hardware & software
4
Funding
requested
from RDWG
Any
additional
Funding
contributed
by third party
Funding
requested
from RDWG
Any
additional
Funding
contributed
by Local
Company
COST (Rs)
TOTAL (A)
5
Other Direct Costs
Consultancy
Sub-contract charges
Consumables (to specify, if necessary on separate sheet)
IT and Other Services
Local Travel
Overseas Travel (exceptionally)
Documentation/Publication
Other (please specify)
TOTAL (B)
Grand Total (A+B)
Note: Justification will have to be provided for all of the above cost components.
Signature of Project leader:
Name:
Designation:
Signature:
xi
COST (Rs)
Form 4060
PROJECT MILESTONES AND DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE
PROJECT TITLE:
Starting date:
PROJECT LEADER:
MILESTONE
PERIOD
DURATION
(MONTHS)
STARTING
DATE
PROGRESS
REPORT DUE
DATE(To be
subm itted at the
end of each
m ilestone)
ACTIVITIES
(LISTED IN Form
4050 to be
CARRIED OUT
DURING THE
PERIOD)
FUNDING BY Other
sources if any
Project Com pletion
date:
REMARKS
MRC FUNDING
In Cash
1
2
3
4
Total Number of
Activities
Total Duration
Approval by RDWG:
Date:
Total MRC
Funding
Total Funding
Private Company
Approval by Project Leader:
A milestone may consists of several activities. Disbursement of funds would be made at the start of each milestone upon submission of a
satisfactory progress report, statement of accounts, invoices and receipts amongst others.
Soft Copies of Forms 4040, 4050 and 4060 available upon request
ii
Mauritius Research Council,
Level 6, Ebène Heights,
34 Cybercity,
Ebène
Tel: (230) 465 1235
Fax: (230) 465 1239
Email: mrc@intnet.mu
Website: http://www.mrc.org.mu
iii