In 2003, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Pakistan and the United States Department of State signed a comprehensive Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement that established a framework to increase cooperation in science, technology, engineering and education for mutual benefit and peaceful purposes between the science and education communities in both countries.  In 2005, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) joined with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan to support the joint Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program.  Beginning in 2008, the United States Department of State (DOS) joined USAID as US co-sponsor of the program. This program, which is being implemented by the US National Academy of Sciences on the US side, is intended to increase the strength and breadth of cooperation and linkages between Pakistan scientists and institutions with counterparts in the United States.

Each country has contributed funds to support projects under this program that would enhance the ability of the science and technology community to positively contribute to human and economic development in Pakistan.  

 In 2005, 11 projects were selected for funding, receiving a combined total of more than $4.9 million from the Pakistani and US sides, in 2006, 13 more projects were funded for a total of more than $5.2 million, and in 2007 another 19 new projects were chosen to receive more than $6 million. Lists of all projects selected to date may be accessed at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/dsc/PAKUS.html).  The US-side budgets of the grants have ranged from $40,000 for a one-year project to $350,000 for each of several three-year projects.  On the Pakistani side, budgets have ranged from $30,000 to $500,000. The Financial support from HEC side is subject to availability of funds from Government of Pakistan.

Applicants are reminded that priority is given to projects in which the main locus of activity is in Pakistan, not the United States, so budgets should be allocated accordingly.

 Proposal submission deadline will be announced with the call for proposal 2010-11.

Projects funded under this solicitation should contribute to building capacity in Pakistan and strengthening US-Pakistan cooperative relationships in one or more of the following ways:

1.      Improving the quality, relevance, or capacity of education and research at Pakistani institutions of higher education in science and technical fields.

2.      Improving the capacity of Pakistani public and private science institutions to support industry competitiveness.

3.      Increasing the capacity of science and technology to improve the well-being of ordinary Pakistani people. Topics include, but are not limited to, education, health, nutrition, water/sanitation, agriculture, democracy and governance, environment, and economic development.

Proposals should clearly explain how the project would facilitate capacity building at the institutional level in Pakistan.  Projects that would only enhance the capabilities of their individual participants, with no demonstrated broader impact, will be at much lower priority for funding.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the lists of projects funded in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to gain a better understanding of the types of activities supported under this program.  Additional weight will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear strategy for uptake or adoption of research outputs, including via further investment by the public or private sectors.    

PI Eligibility Limit:  Proposals are to be developed by partnerships that should include at least one Pakistani partner and one US partner. Projects involving participants from only one country (Pakistan or the United States) are ineligible and will not be reviewed.  In developing proposals, proposing partners are urged to take advantage of the widest range of Pakistani talent capable of contributing to the achievement of objectives.  In particular, partners should explain in their proposals how they will encourage the participation of women and ensure that they are provided equal opportunities for involvement in the proposed projects, whether as co-investigators, post-doctoral researchers, students, trainees, or conference participants.

Topical Eligibility Limit:  Due to US government regulations, the program cannot fund research involving “testing or breeding, feasibility study, variety improvement or introduction, consultancy, publication, or training in connection with the growth or production [of a crop] in a foreign country for export if such export would compete in world markets with a similar commodity grown or produced in the United States." Before preparing their proposals, applicants intending to submit proposals involving research on citrus crops, sugar cane, or cotton are advised to e-mail a brief explanation of their proposed projects to pkcontract@nas.edu for an advance determination of eligibility by program staff in consultation with USAID and DOS.

Private sector universities of Pakistan eligible to participate in the program

• Institute of Business and Technology, Karachi.

• National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad.

• National Textile University, Faisalabad.

• Indus Institute of Higher Education, Karachi.

• Aga Khan University, Karachi.

• GIK Institute of Engg. & Tech, Topi.

• Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore.

• Foundation University, Islamabad.

• Ripah International University, Islamabad.

Anticipated Type of Awards: Requests for funding can vary in amount and length but should not exceed three years.  In order to achieve significant progress towards one of the program objectives, proposals are generally expected to involve multiple individuals and contribute to building strengths of key institutions in Pakistan.  Project funding is generally expected to be in the range of $100,000 to $300,000 per year (combined total for the Pakistani and US partner institutions); however, proposals requesting support for brief visits for project development purposes will also be considered. Capital costs for the construction of new buildings will not be covered.  Salary costs for senior individual participants are expected to be covered from other sources, but salary support for junior team members and technical support staff may be included as appropriate.  An annual progress report will be required.  Continuing-year funding of multi-year projects will be contingent upon a merit-based annual evaluation of progress. 

Proposals should include all activities and costs necessary to achieve the results stated in the application.   Leveraging of resources is encouraged; therefore, the entire cost of the project should be included.  Applicants are required to disclose any other funding received or applied for from other sources that would support the proposed project.

Projects funded through this solicitation will not be given any preference for funding under future USAID- and DOS-supported programs.

Selection Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated in separate peer review processes organized by the Pakistani and US sponsors according to 1) relevance to the goals enumerated above under “Program Objectives,” 2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposal, 3) the cost-effectiveness of the project, 4) the capabilities of the participating institutions and individuals to successfully complete the project, and 5) the nature and quality of the collaboration, including the demonstrated commitment of the proposing partners to ensuring the participation of women in the project.   Final funding decisions will be reached by consensus among the Pakistani and US sponsors. 

A. Proposal Deadline Date:  October 31, 2009

B. Proposal Preparation Instructions : Please click here to see the full text of this solicitation 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 web sites, simultaneously.  Submissions not sent to all three addresses may not be reviewed.

Proposals to be submitted for review under this program are to be developed by Pakistani and US institutions or consortiums of institutions.  

All submittals are to be submitted electronically as specified in the procedures in this solicitation.  Paper submissions are not accepted.

Proposal Instructions:

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.  

The required format for proposals is indicated below.  The proposal must include the information requested.  Successful proposals will address the Selection Criteria listed above 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.  Specify the lead (principal) investigator on both 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.k 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.

(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, Improve 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.
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(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.
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(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 any other anticipated scientific, technological, or economic benefits that will accrue to Pakistan besides those already articulated in the Results Statement.

(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 forms provided.  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.  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. (The Financial support from HEC side is subject to availability of funds from Government of Pakistan.)

(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.

SR#	ITEMS	TOTAL ALLOCATION
1	Equipment	As per requirement of the project
2	Chemical / Glassware(with full justification and details of quantity required for the project)	As per requirement of the project
3	Accessories (with full justification)	As per requirement of the project
4	Publication / on line material	Rs.10,000/- per Annum
5	Remuneration to P.Is.	One month Basic Pay per year
6	Remuneration to Co-PIs ( if justified)	One month Basic Pay
7	Senior Research Associate (must be a Ph.D. Degree Holder and if justified by PI and approved by the reviewers)	Maximum Rs.30,000/- per month w.e.f.1st September 2008
8	Research Associate /Assistant / Field Assistant	@ Rs.10,000/- per month for MS/M.Phil. student @Rs.13,000/- per month for PH.D. student w.e.f. 1st January 2008
9	Secretariat Staff ( if required)	Rs.18,000/- per year w.e.f 1st September 2008
10	Stationary / Contingencies	Rs.10,000/- per year
11	Audit / Accounts Fee	Rs.20,000/- (maximum)
12	Other specific requirements	Depending upon the nature of the project