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Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Deadline Date: November 16, 2009 B. Proposal Preparation Instructions: Please see the full text of this solicitation below for further information on the format and procedure for submitting proposals. C. Submittal Addresses:
Proposals should be submitted electronically to all three of the following mailboxes, simultaneously. Submissions not sent to all three addresses may not be reviewed.
Proposals must be submitted using the attached application form.
The text of the proposals should be in single-spaced 12-point type. Tables and lists in the project description may be in smaller but readable type. Instructions for completing each section of the application form are indicated below. The proposal must include the information requested. Successful proposals will address the Selection Criteria listed in the call for proposals and will include clear statements of the project goals and explanations of how these goals will be addressed. (1.) Cover sheet. In the indicated space below the project title, please note the field and subfield of the proposed project: for example, “Medicine – infectious diseases,” “Biology – plant virology,” or “Environment – water resources.” For planning purposes, July 1, 2010, should be shown as the start date. Indicate which project co-director will be the lead (principal) investigator on the Pakistani and US sides. (2.) Project summary (one page). The summary should be succinct and clearly state the goals of the project. It should be informative to specialists in the same or related fields as well as understandable to a well-informed non-technical reader. Include the title of the project, the names of the co-director(s), and the names of the US and Pakistani partner institutions at the top of the page. Include a clear description of the project, stating its specific aims and long-term goals. Briefly indicate the unique aspects of the project and interdisciplinary composition (if any). (3.) Project description. The project description (sections 3.a through 3.j described below) is limited to the equivalent of 10 printed pages including all figures, tables, and charts but not including lists of additional participants, advisors, and supporters (if any). All applicants must use the standard proposal forms provided. The project description should be prepared with reference to the review criteria and the guidance provided in this and the preceding sections of this solicitation. Incomplete proposals, those not submitted on the standard forms, and those exceeding the established page limits may not be considered. Please use the attached form. (3.a) Background and rationale. If relevant, present a critical and comparative summary of the literature justifying the activity proposed. (3.b) Problem statement. Describe accurately the problems or opportunities to be addressed by the project. (3.c) Prior experience/capability. Describe relevant prior efforts by applicants to address the problems identified. Illustrate how the proposed work will build upon existing expertise, if applicable. Proposals offering to contribute to program objective #2, Improving the capacity of Pakistani public and private science institutions to support industry competitiveness, should further demonstrate the role that industry played in developing the proposal and articulate how the program builds upon other measures undertaken by industry to improve competitiveness. (3.d) Scope and objectives. Specify the scope of the project accurately and list the specific aims of the project. It is important that the specific aims be compatible with the requested proposal duration. (3.e) Methods. Describe the project design, conceptual framework, procedures, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. If relevant, include how the data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted as well as any data-sharing plan. Describe any new methodology and its advantage over existing methodologies. Describe any novel concepts, approaches, tools, or technologies for the proposed activity. Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims. Describe proposed strategy for encouraging and ensuring the participation of women in the project. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project. (3.f) International cooperation. Explain in detail which elements of the project will be carried out by which counterpart involved and why such a division of labor is appropriate both for the project and for the overall program goals of promoting capacity building in Pakistan. (3.g) Relevance. Indicate which of the three “Program Objectives” listed above will be addressed through the project. Discuss the potential for uptake of research outputs through policy decisions, commercialization or other means. (3.h) Results statement. Clearly and concisely state the final results expected from the activity. The ability of the project to positively impact the goal area should be obvious.
(3.i) Additional benefits. Explain anticipated scientific, technological, or economic benefits, other than those articulated in the Results Statement that will accrue to Pakistan. (3.j) Executive Matters/Budget Requirements. Provide a timetable for execution of the project. Give a detailed justification for each piece of equipment or service to be purchased for which the expected cost is more than $5,000. Provide the duration, location, timing, and justification for any project-related trips planned by project participants on either side. (3.k) Budget. Provide an itemized budget for the project separately for US and Pakistani partners, using the budget format included in the application form. Projects may last no more than three years. Proposals for multi-year projects must provide budgets separately detailing the resources required for each year of implementation. As noted above, capital costs for building construction are not to be included, and salary costs should not include the professional leadership on the two sides. Value for the investment will be an important consideration in proposal evaluation and selection. As noted above, capital costs for building construction are not to be included. Remuneration for professional leadership on the two sides is discouraged and must be thoroughly justified if requested. Remuneration for other researchers, technical personnel, and students working on the project is allowed. Contingency costs are not allowed as line items on either side of the budget. Travel costs for US participants should be included on the US side of the budget only. It is strongly recommended that travel costs for Pakistani participants be included on the Pakistani side of the budget, but such costs may be included on the US side if necessary. Proposal budgets may not contain indirect costs exceeding 15 percent on the US side of the budget or more than 2 percent on the Pakistani side of the budget. For further details on allowable costs on the Pakistani side of the budget, Pakistani applicants are advised to refer to HEC’s standard financial guidelines.
(3.l) Curricula vitae. Provide brief CVs—1 or 2 pages each—for all Pakistani and US project participants. Please do not include extended CVs, lengthy publications lists, or copies of publications, as they will not be forwarded to the reviewers. APPLICATION FORM
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