The Law No 40 of 16.08.2017 establishing the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), also assigns it with a mandate of managing the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF). The NRIF is envisaged to be a major vehicle through which the Government of Rwanda provides research and innovation funding that is aimed at stimulating societal and economic growth in accordance with the national development agenda.

To this end, 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. Therefore, on November 11^th, 2021, NCST published a Request for Applications (RFA) under the RIC - R&D grant Scheme and the call closed on 28 February 2022 as there was an extension of 18 days. The call targeted researchers whose Principal Investigator (PI) must be a Rwandan scientist with a PhD degree or Master’s degree in relevant field, and demonstrating partnership with at least one (1) globally renown expert in the field.

This Grant is envisaged to provide funding opportunities with an aim of promoting knowledge transfer partnerships among industry/private sector and academia through development and implementation of Rwanda Innovation Challenges Research and Development 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 exciting groundbreaking innovative research ideas 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.

After a rigorous and systematic review of the applications received, NCST has selected 10 best projects for the award in Phase I. The selected projects show how the findings will in the future have the potential to lead to innovation that would be commercialized as a new product or service. Details and summary of abstract and specific aims of those projects are listed below:

1. Project name: “e-Ruhuka: An e-Mental Healthcare Architecture as an Innovative Solution to Promote an Alternative and Conventional Support in Rwanda”.

Principal Investigator (PI): Vincent Sezibera (PhD).

Institution: University of Rwanda.

Project Summary: Available here

2. Project Name: Lithium-ion Battery Direct Cathode Recycling and Battery Cell Manufacturing

Principal Investigator (PI): Leandre Berwa, MSc, CEO & Head of Research.

Institution: SLS Energy.

Project Summary: Available here

3. Project Name: Biodiversity, Beers, Bitters, Beverages, and a Bag of Crisps (5Bs Products).

Principal Investigator (PI): Elias Bizuru, Professor

Institution:  University of Rwanda,

Project Summary: Available here

4. Project name: IoT-AI Based Climate and Quality Monitoring System for Agricultural Value Chains (ICQMSA). Case study of Cassava Value Chain”.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Florence Uwamahoro

Institution:  University of Rwanda -College of Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM).

Project Summary: Available here

5. Project name: An Infrastructure for Remote and In-Situ Collection and Aggregation of Agricultural Data and Its Application to Yield Estimation.

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Moise Busogi,

Institution: Kigali Collaborative Research Centre

Project Summary: Available here

6. Project name: IMPROVED SOLAR WATER HEATER ADAPTIVE TO RWANDAN WEATHER CONDITION

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Esdras Nshimyumuremyi,

Institution: RP/IPRC Musanze

Project Summary: Available here

7. Project Name: IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH PRODUCTION AND VALUE ADDITION OF QUALITY TOMATOES

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Didace Ndahimana,

Institution:  University of Rwanda

Project Summary: Available here

8. Project Name: Design and Performance Analysis of the Candela Model 1 A Novel Electricity Generating Biomass Cook-stove.

Principal Investigator (PI): Ms. Celine Umurenzi

Institution : CANDELA TECH

Project Summary: Available here

9. Project Name: Enhancement the processing and standardization technics towards the production of certified phytomedicines and food supplements in response to critical health needs in Rwanda

Principal Investigator (PI): Andre NDAGIJIMANA,

 Institution: National Industrial Research & Development Agency (NIRDA)

Project Summary: Available here

10. Project Name: Retrofitting of Fossil motorcycles to Electric Motorcycles

Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. ABAHO G Gershome,

Institution: University of Rwanda

Project Summary: Available here