Translational Research Grant 2021 Opening
SDEC Translational Research Grant aim to accelerate the translation and commercialization of research outputs to support the new economy through the creation of deep-tech companies in Sarawak.
Introduction
Translational research is a research that produce outcomes that will benefit or have an impact to the public and private sectors as well as the communities. As one of the underlying components in Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy, the state is focusing on enhancing the inculcation of research, innovation and commercialization amongst the institute of higher learning in Sarawak.
Objective
SDEC Translational Research Grant is established to spur research and development activities that are aligned with the Sarawak Digital Economy Initiative. It is focusing on translational research and innovation that will have direct impacts to the Sarawak communities.
The grant application is open to academic staff of CoE partner institutions with the following guidelines:
- The Principal Investigator (PI)/project leader must be an academic staff from Sarawak based University.
- The Co-investigators are to be from Centre of Excellence (CoE) partner institutions.
- Applicant is only allowed to be the Principal Investigator for one (1) project in every cycle.
- Principal Investigator and/or Co-investigator who moves to another university that is not part of CoE must relinquish the position.
The digital components of the research element must be from one of the following areas:
- Cybersecurity
- Advance Visualization and Simulation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Fintech
- Big Data and Data Science
- 5G and Connectivity
- Robotics and Automation
- Blockchain
- Internet-of-Things (IoT)
- Software Development
The domain science of the research must be in one of the following economic sectors:
- Agriculture
- Digital Government
- E-Health
- e-Commerce
- Tourism
- Smart City
- Industry 4.0
- Social Sectors
- Mining
- Forestry
Opening Date of Application: 20th August 2021
Closing Date of Application: 30th September 2021
General Criteria
1. Q: Which university falls under CoE partner university?
A: CoE partner universities consist of:
· Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
· Universiti Teknologi Mara Kampus Samarahan.
· University College of Technology Sarawak.
· Swinburne University of Technology.
· Curtin University Malaysia.
· National University of Singapore.
· Universiti Malaya.
2. Q: Does the PI (Principal Investigator) must be a Sarawakian?
A: Not necessary. The PI employed by any Sarawak based CoE university partners are eligible to become the PI.
3. Q: Is there any limit on how many co-investigators can involve in one project?
A: No. It is encouraged to include co-researcher from any CoE partner universities in one project.
Graduate Research Assistant
4. Q: In case there is no post-graduate student is available, is it possible to recruit undergraduate students?
A: No. However, the GRA can be from other CoE partner universities under the supervision of one of the co-researchers.
The GRA is encouraged to spend time at the partner institution.
5. Q: What are the documents required to be submitted for the potential GRA?
A: The Principal Investigator should submit the curriculum vitae, copy of bachelor’s degree, and scope of work for potential GRA during the grant application submission.
The copy of GRA’s post-graduate shall be submitted within three months after the grant has been awarded.
SDEC will release the fund upon the enrollment of the GRA.
6. Q: Is it possible for a 3-year project to support 2 Master’s students instead of 1 Ph.D. student?
A: Yes. However, it is encouraged for a project to produce a Ph.D. student.
The salaries/wages for the GRA are only eligible for full-time students with the maximum amount of; RM 1600/month (Master) or RM 2000/month (Ph.D.) per GRA.
Collaboration
7. Q: Is it possible for the university to collaborate with industries/agencies for the grant?
A: Yes. Collaboration with industries/agencies is encouraged, and it will give an added advantage to the proposal.
8. Q: Is there any limit of contribution from industry/agency if there is a collaboration with the university?
A: There is no limit in contribution, but universities must declare to SDEC the amount of funds received from the industry partners.
Financial Rule
9. Q: Ascertain situations require an extra budget, will SDEC allowed more than two virements? If so, is there any timeline for virement?
A: No. Only two virements are allowed for the duration of the project. The total amount of the two virements shall not exceed 15% of the total grant allocation.
Virement to traveling and transportation, and special equipment is only allowable if the amount after virement is not exceeding the ceiling.
All virement requests will only need to be submitted and approved by the university’s Research Management Center or similar.
Publication
10. Q: What is the minimum number of papers that need to be published? Plus, is it a must for published articles to be at least Q2?
A: At least one publication, and it does not have to be Q2. However, all submissions for publication must obtain SDEC’s approval to ensure that no critical information required for IP filing is being exposed to the public.
Intellectual Property (IP)
11 Q: Is there any procedure for the university to file IP (Intellectual Property) if SDEC decides to pursue IP filing?
A: All IP must be filed through Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) unless SDEC decides not to pursue the IP filing. The procedure will be provided upon assessment by SDEC, depending on the type of IP and completeness of the solution.
12 Q: According to MyIPO, IP can be categorized as Trademark, Industrial Design, Geographical Information, and Copyright. Does SDEC expect/accept any one of these four forms of IP?
A: Apart from Geographical Information, all types of IP related to Digital technologies will be accepted.
Other
13 Q: When is the grant released expected date?
A: Grant is expected to be released in December 2021
14 Q: Does the university require SDEC’s permission and approval to enter any exhibition for the project showcase?
A: Yes, the university is required to ask permission and approval from SDEC to enter any exhibition at least one month before to ensure that no critical information required for IP filing is being exposed to the public.
