Karnataka Biodiversity Board (Govt of Karnataka) Research Project Proposals Invitation

GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD (Forest, Ecology & Environment Department)

Guidelines for funding Research Project proposals 1.1 INTRODUCTION: The Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Department of Forest Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka is encouraging and supporting research activities by research institutions concerned with bioresources, documentation, conservation, sustainable utilisation and equitable sharing of benefits and other aspects related to the Biological Diversity Act and Rules. These guidelines focus on objectives, procedures for inviting proposals, processing, sanctioning, implementing and reporting of the projects funded by the Board.

1.2 OBJECTIVES: 

Generating information and knowledge required for developing strategies and methodologies for conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of benefits, finding practical solutions to the problems associated with these aspects.

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Strengthening of scientific manpower in the multidisciplinary and emerging areas of bioresource conservation.

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Documentation and analysis of generated information for taking policy decisions relating to bioresources at State level and to provide information for national and international negotiations, if required.

1.3 INVITED AND COMMISSIONED RESEARCH PROPOSALS: The Research proposals may be considered in the following modes: (a) Maximum budget and duration: Maximum budget of Rs. 10.0 Lakhs (Rupees Ten lakhs only)for a minimum duration of 1 year to a maximum of two years. (b) Invited Proposals: Proposals may be invited by the Board from research /academic institutions, on the thrust areas as per the objectives mentioned. The proposals will be subjected for scrutiny on competitive mode for funding (c) Commissioned Proposals: The Board may directly identify the institutions to take-up the projects on the specific requirement and objectives of the Board 1.4 Eligibility Criteria: 1. Recognized public institutions possessing R&D capability in the areas mentioned in the objectives.

2. Master’s/Ph.D research work of the students may be supported under this funding. A copy of the final thesis needs to be submitted to the Board along with final project completion report.

3. The Investigator/Applicant should have specialization and experience in the areas of research objectives proposed.

4. The applicant must be holding permanent position not below the rank of Assistant Professor/Scientist in the institution and should have research experience in the concerned area.

1.5 Procedure for applying for projects: 1. The Board will call for research proposals through advertisement, circular to the institutions or through Board’s website.

2. Interested applicants may submit the proposal through proper channel in the prescribed format (Annexure – I) which will be made available in the Board’s website http://www.karnataka.gov.in/kbb. Two hard copies of the proposal must reach the Board on or before 30th November, 2018. Also, a soft copy of the proposal should be mailed to kbb-ka@nic.in.

3. The funding amount required needs to be reflected in the proposal.

4. The shortlisted candidates will be invited for presentation of the proposal before the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) of the Board and the selected projects will be intimated to the Principal Investigator.

5. Upon acceptation of the proposal, the concerned institution will have to execute an MoU with the Board for implementation of the Project.

1.6 NORMS OF FUNDING: Table 1: Norms for Funding Research Projects: Item Purchase of equipments

Allowances of contractual manpower (Technical/skilled)

Travel

Expendables and Field Survey Contingencies

Institutional Charges

Funding norm Equipments details, numbers and cost to be specified in the proposalunder Annexure – II(E)b.

As per the institutional norms.

Wherever, the contractual services of technical manpower are to be engaged, the emoluments of the same must be reflected in the proposal under Annexure-II(E)c.

100% as per verified estimates subject to actual under Annexure - II(E)d. International travel is not allowed.

100% as per verified estimates subject to actual.

5% of the total Project Cost (excluding institutional charges).

Maximum upto 10% of the project cost.

1.7 Terms and Conditions for Sanction of Research Projects:

1. The project will become operative with effect from the date of signing of MoU. The date of receipt of the Cheque/Demand Draft will be intimated by the Principal Investigator to the Board.

2. The sanctioned budget of the project shall be released in the following order:

a) 1st Installment /Initiation Advance –50% of the total cost will be released within ten days after signing the Agreement as initiation advance. b) 2nd Installment - 40% of the total cost will be released after 12 Months from date of signing MoU and after submitting the First progress project report in two hard copies and soft copy along with Utilization Certificate. The progress report will be subjected for review. c) 3rd& Final Installment – The final report (draft report) along with UC for the previous installment must be submitted two months prior to the due date which will be subjected to review by Technical Expert Committee. Upon acceptation of the final report (draft report), 5 hard copies of the approved Final Report, including Executive Summary, in Kannada and English has to be submitted along with soft copies. The remaining 10% of the total cost will be released after submission of final report to the satisfaction of the Board.

3. All accounts in respect of the project will be subject to audit by the institution’s auditors.

4. The progress of the project will be closely monitored by the Board and the recommendation of the Board must be considered for incorporation accordingly.

5. The authorities of the institution(s) where the research activities are to be carried out would receive the grants and be responsible for their disbursement, administration, maintenance of accounts and timely submission of Utilization Certificate and expenditure statement.

6. If Principal Investigator (including Co-Principal Investigator) leaves the institute, it is the responsibility of the institution to entrust the work to another equally qualified Investigator by the Head of the Institution with information of the Board, at no additional cost.

7. The engagement of contractual/technical/skilled manpower may be made as per the institutional guidelines.

8. Any presentation of the research outcome in the form of research paper or presentation in the seminar may be done on due acknowledgement of the Board.

9. In the event, after due enquiry, if the Board decides that the progress of a research Project is highly unsatisfactory and cannot be improved, it may terminate the Project.

Upon such termination, full audited accounts and refund of all unspent balances will have to be made promptly to the Board within six months from the date of termination.

10. Any equipment purchased under the project has to be handed over to the institution and list of such equipments has to be sent to the Board.

11. There is no provision for International travel.

12. If need arises, Peer reviewers may also be invited for scrutiny of reports whose comments will also bear equal importance and weightage.

13. Project is deemed as completed only after the acceptance of final report by the Board.

14. All correspondence is to be addressed to the Member Secretary, Karnataka Biodiversity Board.

15. Karnataka Biodiversity Board must be cited and acknowledged in all report/publications/journals.

16. The Principal Investigator of Project must abide by provisions of Biological Diversity Act 2002 & Karnataka Biological Diversity Rules, 2005 and other related legislation.

1.8 Dissemination of research findings Unless restricted, wide dissemination of research findings would be encouraged. Apart from professional journals/books, final technical reports of completed projects may be disseminated through one or more of the following channels, as appropriate:

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Web site of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board.

Professional and Policy-makers’ Workshops