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University of Hyderabad

Call for Proposals

For innovative, out-of-the-box ideas

This call is closed

Online submission closed on 15 January 2020. The page is kept for reference. Current schemes and forms are on the Schemes & Forms page.

Preamble

Under the IoE vision, UoH proposes to promote focused projects with regular dialogues between scientists, social scientists, humanists, economists and policy makers. The emphasis of the IoE application, which was finally approved by the government, is on innovative, interdisciplinary research, with clear socially relevant and useful outcomes.

We now call for high-quality proposals. We welcome interdisciplinary proposals with innovative, out-of-the-box ideas on basic and applied areas, with national or international collaborations.

How to apply

Proposals were submitted online: first register on the website, then log in to submit the proposal. The uploads were:

  1. the duly filled-in and signed budget format, with justification, in PDF;
  2. 2-page CVs of the personnel included in the proposal, as per the format, consolidated into one PDF file;
  3. files named as: Name of the PI_UNIV ID_DD/MM (D = date, M = month).

The online application had the following components:

  • Introduction to the proposal with a defined rationale
  • The objectives of the proposal
  • Work plan: both schematic and in detail, with alternative plans where necessary
  • Collaboration: the role of each partner in a cluster, with defined objectives for each partner in a table, and how the proposal gains by a collaborative effort
  • Timeline and deliverables
  • Budget: quantum of funding justified as per the objectives
  • Short-term and long-term outcomes; outreach component, social relevance and policy significance
  • Each PI could submit up to two project proposals

Selection process

Shortlisted proposals will be sent for evaluation to experts across India and/or abroad. The selection will be on the basis of scoring by reviewers, followed by a presentation before a selection committee before the final selection.

Selection criteria

The team / PI

  • Track record of PI(s): a strong track record relative to the career stage and related to the proposal, including grants generated, publications, patents and citations. The PI should have work published in journals indexed in globally accepted indexes and databases, or books / book chapters from reputed publishers with an established peer-review process, or performances / productions / installations / art-work in venues, portfolios or collections of repute, or policy papers.
  • Experience and deliverability of PI(s): the CV must demonstrate relevant experience in the proposed area and a good track record of delivering on previous funding. Breadth and depth of knowledge should be clear from the literature review in the proposal.
  • Defined cluster: interdisciplinary clusters are preferred, with well-defined roles of all PIs. Individual and team projects that are innovative within the PI’s fields of expertise (proven through their track record) are also welcome.

The proposal

  • Quality and importance of the research question(s): the project or question is likely to make a significant impact in the research field or have an immediate or gradual societal impact.
  • Feasibility: a defined rationale and evidence to support the approach (preliminary data supporting the proposed hypothesis), clarity on potential pitfalls and contingency plans, with a realistic timescale.
  • Innovation: whether the proposed components are a direct continuation of the PI(s)’ existing work, or add new dimensions with advanced techniques and research methodologies.
  • Collaborators: justify the availability of appropriate facilities and the collaborations / expert consultation required to achieve the objectives.
  • Clarity and deliverables: proposals should be well written, with sufficient detail, clearly defining all components, with clear deliverables against a defined timeline. Poorly written proposals will be rejected at the first round of scrutiny.

Quantum of funding

About 5–6 projects with out-of-the-box ideas may be funded (the number may vary depending on the funds made available).

Fund utilisation

Mechanisms are being formulated to reduce paperwork and permit flexible utilisation of funds across subheads for IoE-funded projects. These will be communicated to the PIs later.

Post-funding review process

Funded projects will provide half-yearly progress reports, with a yearly review by an external expert committee. A project can be terminated if sufficient progress is not achieved in two years, which will be evaluated in the second-year review. Merit-based extensions of 1 + 1 year, with funding, may be given after the third and fourth reviews.

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