NCC Request for telecommunications-Based Research Innovation from Nigeria Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian Communications Commission, the Regulator of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, supports amongst other things, telecommunications-based innovations and research from tertiary institutions in the country that are practical, locally realizable and have clear potential of developing the telecommunications industry.

Pursuant to this objective the Commission invites proposals from academics in tertiary institutions to submit research proposal in any of the research topics stated below. It is envisaged that the initiative will help build capacity in the tertiary institutions and promote Nigeria’s contribution to the pool of technologies in use in the communications industry.

Areas of Research/Research Topics

1. Development of sensors for smart city applications such as traffic management systems, smart parking, smart grid, smart homes, smart institutions and smart network management.
2. Use of Telecommunication networks in Identity Management and Location Tracking via National Identity Numbering (NIN) and Artificial Intelligence.
3. Design and implementation of efficient solar mobile phone charger.
4. Research leading to commercial production of high capacity battery for telecommunications equipment.
5. Design and implementation of an Artificial Intelligence based predictive maintenance solutions for telecommunications infrastructure.
6. Development of Cybersecurity solutions to curb cyber-attacks.
7. Development of smart intrusion detection and alarm systems to curb theft vandalization of telecommunications infrastructure.

Requirements

Interested researchers are required to submit their proposals which must:

• Come from teaching Academics in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions; and
• Have a one-page executive summary of the research proposal to include understanding of the relevance of the research topics to the telecommunications industry, deliverables, novelty of concept, methodology, team experience, project timeline and detailed cost schedule.
• Proof of Concept (Feasibility)
• Practicality (solution’s ability to solve a problem short, medium or long term)
• Tangible output such as a prototype/software or working model which can be commercialised.

Evaluation Criteria

The criteria for the evaluation of the research submissions include the following:

• The proposal must fall within the specified areas of research topics
• Adherence of proposal to stated requirements above
• Novelty of research proposal (comprehensive literature review to bring out clearly the novelty of the research).
• Clear statement and explanation of the problem.
• Proposed solution to the problem.
• Proposed approach and methodology
• Each project including prototype development must be concluded within 2 years.
• Terms of Reference (TOR’s) should be developed clearly stating that the research topics must lead to production of commercially viable prototype and capable of contributing to the development of the telecommunications industry
• The project cost should not exceed a maximum of Fifteen million naira (N15, 000,000.00) only. (the Commission reserves the right to review this maximum amount)
• Any academic with a yet to be completed research project awarded by the Commission SHOULD NOT apply.
• Total cost (including all costs) of the project must be clearly stated and broken down in details, for which there can be no variation.
• Proof of concept (feasibility of idea with diagram, algorithm etc.)
• Clear relevance to the telecommunications industry.
• Roadmap from innovative prototype to commercialisation of the prototype
• Cost reasonableness (cost of actualizing the idea including hardware and software requirements. please note that the grant does not cover purchase of vehicles, Furniture, Internet data, foreign trips and allowances).
• Schedule of project organization
• Coherent presentation/packaging of concept. Integration of research with education (capacity building of students via the implementation of the project in the institution).
• Allowance for researchers should not exceed 20% of cost of actually doing the research.
• Evidence of competence of team in executing the project (include past work and CVs of team members).

Submission of Proposal

Please note the following:

• You must review the detailed request for proposal (RFP) on the Commission’s website ncc.gov.ng to be able to respond appropriately;
• Any proposal that is not aligned to the requirement in the detailed RFP or submitted after the deadline will be rejected
• Electronic copies of proposal should be sent to researchgrant@ncc.gov.ng
• Where the electronic and hard copies differ, the hard copy would be used as the original submission
• Researchers must submit two hard copies of proposal including an electronic copy in PDF saved on a thumb drive on or before 12th March 2023
• Lead Researchers maybe invited to defence their submission.

Interested researchers are invited to submit ELECTRONIC and HARD copies of their research proposals on or before 12th March 2023 to the address below. Please note that any proposal submitted after the deadline will be rejected automatically.

January 19, 2023