FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GRANT SCHEME (FRGS)

Writing A Successful FRGS Research Proposal

BC Chew & Syaiful Rizal Abdul Hamid

From the eyes of internal evaluators and successful applicants

We share, because we care!

Our objectives through this sharing

Helping you 1. to produce a good proposal that is easier to be

understood by the expert panels during the evaluation process.

2. to secure the FRGS grant successfully.

We appreciate the contributions from other authors who have guided us well for FRGS research grant application.

Introduction of FRGS

• FRGS encourages basic research that will contribute towards increasing intellectual level and enrich a dynamic academic research culture in line with our national aspiration.

• Therefore, FRGS is a basic academic research that aims to develop new theories, new concepts, new principles and new ideas towards new knowledge development that further expands the boundaries of knowledge.

• It aims to answer the research questions of “Why” and “How”

Scopes of FRGS

• Research that develops new ideas/ new theories/ new methods/ new models/ new principles/ new processes; or

• Research that improves current policies/ existing methodologies and existing solution model; or

• Research that covers issues of humanity and social issues for the purpose of upgrading the living values of the country and universal; or

• Research that contributes towards nation’s strategic agendas.

Seven Areas of FRGS

1. Pure Science2. Applied Science3. Social Sciences4. Clinical and Health Sciences5. Technology and Engineering6. Arts and Applied Arts7. Natural Science and National Heritage.

Establish your team

• For new researchers, you are encouraged to invite experienced researchers into your team. This fosters knowledge and research skills transfer.

• Minimum two researchers (rarely happens).• Maximum five researchers + one or two GRA.• A balanced team is desirable as it reflects the

team’s track record. Remember to include your CVs.

Human Capital must be produced from FRGS

• Three (3) years project-Required to produce at least one (1) PhD or two (2) Master graduate; or both.

• Two (2) years project-Required to produce at least one (1) Master graduate.

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

1. Clear and informative title-Reflects the FRGS issues to be researched. Be specifically focused and unique by takes in objectives, methods/theories and significance/outcomes

Ex: Enhanced Productivity through Quick Response Time for High Efficiency

Words should be avoided in Title construction

• Avoid these words: development of, application of, design of etc. in your title.

• Avoid these words that do not give any meaning in your title.

Studies on…Investigation on…Research on…The problems of…The effects of…Assessing…

Words should be avoided in Title construction

• Avoid these words that add nothing to the readers’ understanding about your title.

basic study of…theoretical investigation of… fundamental study of…new study of…(new theory, new concepts, new ideas, new principles, new techniques, new model)…novel theory

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

2. Concise executive summary-Precise and concise to include research backgrounds, research problem(s), research objectives, theories, research methods and expected outcomes/ results/ contribution.

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

3. Clear problem statement and research objectives-Remember “How” and “Why” for research question(s)-Reflect the research outputs to the problem.Ex: (a) To come out a new framework…(b) To propose a new approach….(c) To make recommendation based on…

Research Objectives for FRGS Use these Avoid theseTo investigate To measureTo examine To characteriseTo come out To synthesesTo proposeTo recommend

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

4. Solid research background-Introduce the research area-Relate to previous studies-State the problem statement, research questions/ hypotheses, research objectives, literature summary (theories, scholars).

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

5. Good literature review- Good quality literature- Short but adequate - Consistency with the content- Cite and quote the relevant references

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

6. Good research methods-Based on research objectives formulated.-Detail description.-Provide the flow chart and Gantt chart (with key milestones) of the research activities involved.

A Good Quality FRGS Research Proposal

7. Ethical considerations8. Realistic budget and schedule

Mistakes that must be avoided

• Lack of new/ original ideas.• Diffuse, superficial or unfocused research.• PI lacks of relevant knowledge/ expertise.• Does not lead to new theory/ new concept/

new idea generation.• Low acceptability on scientific rationale.

Mistakes that must be avoided

• Objectives that are not clearly spelled out, not linked to the “fundamental” nature of the research.• Literature review that does not raise the research problem.• Lack of specific research problem.• Lack of experience in the essential research methods. Research methods that are vague, incoherent, inadequate or not properly described.• Research scope which is limited or too ambitious.

Mistakes that must be avoided

• Budget: No cost effective on the actual application, or violates the ceiling stated. (total budget ceiling RM250,000.00)

• Budget has not been explained and justified.• PI who is not suitable to supervise the

postgrad student (qualification or expertise).• Research outcomes that are unclear.

Budgetary• List out all item. Be sensible. Only ask for

those related to your studies.• Take note:(a) Vote 11000 Salary and wages (GRA) -Ceiling for GRA where PhD student is RM2000, while Master student is RM1500 per month.(b) Vote 21000-Do not exceed 40% of total project budget.

Budgetary

(c) Vote 29000-Do not exceed 10% of total project budget.(d) Vote 35000-Do not exceed 40% of total project budget.

Additional Info about FRGS applicants

• Kindly refer to: (a) Main pagehttp://jpt.mohe.gov.my/eng/menupenyelidik.php (b) FRGS grant application guidelineshttp://jpt.mohe.gov.my/eng/PENYELIDIK/PanduanFRGS/Garis%20Panduan%20FRGS-website.pdf(c) FRGS form handling guidehttp://jpt.mohe.gov.my/eng/PENYELIDIK/PanduanFRGS/Panduan%20Pengendalian%20Borang-website.pdf (d) FRGS application formhttp://jpt.mohe.gov.my/eng/menupenyelidik.php

References• Department of Higher Education, 2014. Fundamental Research Grant

Scheme (FRGS). [online] Available at: <http://jpt.mohe.gov.my/eng/menupenyelidik.php > [Accessed 13th August 2014].

• Hamzah, M. K., 2013. FRGS: RMK10. Research Management Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA. [Accessed 13th August 2014].

• Mat Deris, M., 2013. FRGS: Evaluation Tips. [online] Available at: <http://ftmk.utem.edu.my/colloquium/v4/docs/FRGSJuly2013-UTem-mustafa.pdf> [Accessed 13th August 2014].

• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 2010. MOHE Funding 2011-2012 RMK10. [online] Available at: <http://research.utar.edu.my/news_update/Files/Briefing.pdf > [Accessed 13th August 2014].

Good luck with your FRGS application

Remember to help others when you are successful