The NCST has established various funding schemes, among which the “Rwanda Innovation Challenges for Academia-Industry Research and Development Collaboration Grant (RIC - R&D) Scheme” was established as a strategic effort to support bold ideas that will improve research and experimental development in Rwanda through collaborative academia-industry approach and aiming at promoting knowledge transfer partnerships among industry/private sector and academia through development and implementation of Rwanda Innovation Challenges Research projects leading to innovative solutions in national key priority areas

The RIC-R&D scheme will be implemented into two phases: Phase I and Phase II.

Phase I: This is short-term initial phase for project development to produce preliminary data as part of proof of concept. The purpose of funding phase one is to support the development, testing and implementation of R&D ideas that have commercialization & technology absorption potential evolving from collaboration between industry and academia.

Phase II: During phase II, a selected number of projects funded in Phase I will be invited to apply for scale funding to support the refinement, testing, implementation and growth and sustainability of innovative solutions that have already achieved proof of concept. The NCST launched a call On 11^th November, 2021, to implement a research scheme ’’Rwanda Innovation Challenges for Academia-Industry Research and Development  Collaboration Grant  (RIC- R&D).

 The call for supporting phase one was launched on November 11, 2021 and the applications were received and have to undergo administrative screening and external peer review processes. The summary of criteria followed for administrative screening can be found here