Ignite (Formerly National ICT R&D Fund Company) is rolling out “National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative” for the year 2017-18. The program aims to assist Final Year undergraduate students of ICT related disciplines: Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecom Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechatronics & Engineering Sciences etc. by providing them financial assistance for building prototypes and working models of their final year projects in order to increase their creativity, innovation and hands on engineering and development skills. The initiative will help to achieve the global goals particularly SDG4 and SDG9 related to Quality Education and Industry Innovation and Infrastructure etc.

The program comprises of two(02) phases. In the first phase, evaluation of nominated FYPs would be carried out for approval of funding by Ignite. The funding under the program will cover the cost for purchase of equipment and miscellaneous costs related to the development of prototypes. Maximum funding for one (01) FYP can be up to PKR 80,000/-. Each University/Institute or constituent/affiliated campus can avail funding for up to 4 FYPs in respect of each ICT department. In second phase of the program, a national competition in respect of best funded FYPs will be held. For the national level competition, each University/Institution will be requested to nominate one FYP. During the competition, one national champion, first and second runners up will be selected.

http://www.ignite.org.pk/ngiri

• Pakistan