SECTION A:

GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING FOR A PMRC RESEARCH GRANT

1. Introduction:

One of the major functions of the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) is to organize, coordinate and promote scientific research in various disciplines of medical sciences and public health. PMRC also provides support to investigators wishing to carry out research on important national health problems.

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist investigators applying to PMRC for a research grant, in filling in the prescribed application form as completely and accurately as possible, so as to enable the reviewers to take the decision promptly.

2. Submission of Research Projects:

Research projects can be submitted to PMRC throughout a year.

3. Review of Research Projects:

Research projects received in the organization will be reviewed by the panel of experts in the relevant field of research. Only those projects will be sent for peer review which are prepared according to the guidelines. Each project will be sent to two reviewers of relevant field.

4. Approval of Research Project:

After reviewing, projects are discussed in the meetings of T AC which are scheduled in the First Half of the year (first meeting) and Second Half of the year (second meeting) to consider the projects for funding. The final decision for funding is made by T AC on the relevance of the application to the important national health problems and on its scientific quality as judged by the reviewers.

5. Funding of Approved Projects:

Approved projects are funded by the Council on yearly basis subject to availability of funds, as per PMRC Funding Policy

6. Payments:

Payments will be made in Three Installments, as 1st. Installment (50% of the approved cost of the project) initially; 2^nd. Installment (30% of the approved cost of the project) after completion of field work/laboratory investigations, etc. and submission of bills/vouchers justifying the expenditure made so far; and 3^rd. Installment after completion of the project and submission of Final Report  All prescribed forms/bills should reach head office as early as possible to make payments quickly.

7. Principal Investigator and Institution:

The Principal Investigator is the individual who shall be responsible for the direct supervision of the project and will participate in it.

 

The institution is the organization with which principal investigator is associated and to which he is responsible.

The principal investigator, through his institution will be responsible for all matters connected with the implementation of the project. In addition principal investigator will provide following information for each project proposal:

i). Research facilities available in the institute including equipment and manpower.

 ii).He/she should provide the time schedule and the commencement of research.

 8. Equipment and Supplies:

Consumable supplies for the project being supported includes chemicals, reagents, drugs, glassware and other

items may be purchased from PMRC funds. The principal investigator and Centres are responsible for the care and maintenance of equipment provided. PMRC reserves the right to supply equipment to the centre for a project, instead of providing the institution with the funds to make the purchase itself. Funds provided by PMRC should not be used for the maintenance, repair, or other matters except as otherwise agreed with the Council.

Funds allocated for the purchase of equipment should be utilized within one year of the availability of funds alternately any balances of such funds will revert to PMRC.

9. Other Costs:

PMRC will consider financial support only for services or materials clearly itemized and justified in the budge accompanying the proposal. Request for "overhead" or administrative costs will not be considered.

10. Reports:

The principal investigator shall submit a quarterly progress report, and annual report in the required format at the time specified, to PMRC. This report constitute a part of the project evaluation and is necessary for continuation of support for the project. Final report of each project is required at completion and shout summarize the course of research and give in some detail the positive and negative findings of the work.

11. Publications:

The principal investigator/institution may publish in any journal the results of work supported by the PMRC research programmes. In instances of a collaborative research projects involving more than one institution, is recommended that the publication be submitted in the name of all investigators who participated in the project. All publications should have a foot note identifying PMRC having supported the research, for example:

"This work received financial support from the Pakistan Medical Research Council, Pakistan".

In the event of publication, five reprints or copies should be sent to Pakistan Medical Research Council, head office, Islamabad.

12. Departure or Change of Principal Investigator:

If the principal investigator leaves, the institution/centre with which the agreement is made must notify PMRC

 

which shall have the right to terminate the agreement. If another principal investigator is appointed by the institution centre, the project may be continued, provided the consent of the PMRC is obtained.

13. Submission of Applications:

Applications should be submitted using the PMRC application form. Complete information is essential for rapid consideration of a project.

Application can be submitted to respective PMRC centres for onward transmission to head office, Islamabad, or can be sent directly to PMRC head office addressed to:

 

 

 

 

 

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 SECTION B:

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING APPLICATION FORM

The following guidelines are included to assist the applicant in completing the prescribed application form for 'plying to PMRC for a research grant.

I.      GENERAL GUIDELINES:

A research proposal must have all relevant details on methodology, experimental design, and statistical methods. An approximate time schedule for each part of the proposed plan of work may also be included. This plan and schedule should clearly indicate the logical progression of work towards the objectives of the project.

1.        Project Title:

The project title should be clearly worded and be self explanatory.

2.     Summary of Proposed Research:

The summary of the research proposal should include the need for proposed investigation, objectives to be

achieved and its benefits.

 

3.     Introduction:

The introduction should have sufficient background material with specific references to spell out the problem

proposed for study. Here it would be necessary to refer to the past work conducted and gaps of knowledge

 

which exist and give reasons for it. In this way the problem should be properly defined, which should be really of importance, interesting to others and convincingly such for which an answer must be found.

4.     The Objectives:

Properly defined objectives are the key to the project document. The other project elements and the structure of the project build up from these objectives. This element therefore deserves the utmost attention in preparing the project document. Following points may be considered while defining the objectives:

i). if the research is related to a national health problem, the problem must be analyzed and expressed in its simplest              form, and the relevance of the proposed study indicated.

ii). The objectives of the proposed study must be clearly defined and should be realistic.

iii). The objectives should meet the purpose of the study and be phrased in measurable term.

 iv). if the hypotheses are to be tested, following should be clearly stated:

 a) Each hypothesis should be a testable proposition.

b) It should be specific and not vaguely stated.

c) It should lead to a possible solution with the appropriate experimental instruments/techniques.

5.    Importance of Work:

Describe how the results and recommendations of this study will help to guide health authorities, policy makers." and biomedical scientists?"

6.    Critical Review of Relevant Literature:

The investigator must show knowledge of the problem situation in the world as a know the past and recent progress in research of the proposed study in Pakistan and elsewhere. The investigator must cite and summarize relevant literature, particularly similar studies linking to the objectives of the proposed research.

The main objective is a critical assessment of the information available on the subject matter in question.

The investigator must not list out only the references available on the subject in question because it does not provide any information on the subject. Instead literature related to the subject must be reviewed properly and references listed accordingly.

7.    Methodology and Experimental Design:

This section must include the research design, sampling procedures, research instruments, procedures and data analysis.  

RESEARCH DESIGN:  

i). Variables:

Variables are the characteristics intended to be measured during the research. Variables to be studied must be listed on the basis of their relevance to the objectives of the study. Each variable should be defined.  

 

 

ii). Study Population:

In terms of the objectives of the study, justification for the choice of population should be stated. This population also needs to be defined in terms of variables e.g. age, sex, marital status, ethnic group, education, occupation etc.

If the proposed research requires access to clinical records or interviews with patients, the proposal must be accompanied by evidence that facilities will be made available.

iii). Sampling Procedures:

The type of sampling procedures to be followed (e.g. simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, cluster sampling etc) should be described and justify its selection. Specify sample size and explain why this number of respondents in needed.

iv). Research instruments:

Describe the research instrument (s) to be used (e.g. questionnaire, interview schedule etc). Include a complete copy of the instrument (s) in the appendix. An information regarding the reliability and validity of the instrument (s) with respect to any pilot study will be useful.

v). Procedures:

Describe clearly each of the step to be taken in carrying out the proposed study. Indicate when (in term of weeks) each step will begin and will be completed. For example:

 

Design of questionnaire (2-6 weeks).

Training of interviewers (4-5 weeks).

Pre-test summary questionnaire (6-8 weeks) etc.

A flow chart tracing each of the steps from the start till the completion of the study can be a very useful appendix to this section.

vi). Data Processing and Statistical Analysis:

Describe how the data will be processed and what statistical computer programmes will be used for analysis?

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II.        SPECIFIC GUIDELINES:

1.   Laboratory Based Studies:

The methodology to be used should be outlined clearly and include information on:

i). Experimental design.

ii). Standard laboratory methods to be used (with relevant literature references). Also provide information on whether:

-Personnel are adequately trained or additional training will be required.

 -Necessary equipment is available.

 

 -Reagents to be used are readily available.

iii). If a new laboratory method is to be used, detailed information of procedures should be given and must state its advantage over the existing methods. Also include other relevant information to enable a reviewer to asses the proposed approach.

2.     Clinical Studies:

a). Protocol design:

Protocol design should clearly describe the following:

- The type of protocol (e.g. controlled clinical trial, double blind trial etc)

- The characteristics of study populations/groups.

- Time and route of administration of a drug and dosage frequency.

- Statistical design and analysis criteria.

b). Protocol operation:

Describe how the study will be carried out, including the following information:

i). Criteria for subject selection:

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Describe the nature of the study population (e.g. school going children, rural population, doctors, nurses, laboratory, assistants, medical student, health service personnel etc). State clearly the characteristics needed for participation in treatment group (e.g. age limit, height, weight, exclusion of any disease, etc).

ii). Registration into study:

A form should accompany at the time of entry into study stating details of history to be taken, physical examination and laboratory tests.

iii). Criteria for dropout:

Specify all the possible conditions that would require dropping the subject from the study (e.g. side effect or loss of follow up).

iv) Follow up:

A copy of follow-up form showing the details should be attached.

3.     Epidemiological/Community Based Studies:

i). Study area must be indicated with description of its geography and climatic conditions.

ii). Describe social and cultural background of the population to be used.

iii). Define the population to be studied in terms of following variables:

Age, sex, marital status, religion, education, urban/rural residence etc. Justify the choice of population to be studied in terms of objectives of the research. .

 

iv). Describe the type of sampling procedure (e.g. simple random sampling, random sampling, stratified, cluster sampling, etc).

v). Specify the sample size and justify/explain the need for this number of subjects.

vi). Describes the methods of data collection (e.g. coded questionnaire, interview schedule, laboratory test, etc).

vii). A copy of the instrument may be included in the appendix.

viii). Describe the methods of data recording and analysis.

ix). For field studies of vectors or reservoir hosts, state the source and site. It is useful to include environmental characteristics.

x). Facilities for field work should be indicated (e.g. availability of transport, personnel, equipment, etc).

xi) Estimated duration of field work should be indicated as follows:

-Planning and preparation phase.

-Data collection in the field.

-Compilation of data/results from laboratory studies.

 -Data analysis.

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III. BUDGET PREPARATION:

 The following notes are outlined to assist in completing the budget section of the application form (Table I to VII). Budget requirements should be calculated carefully and expenditure for each item stated clearly. Justification of all heads should be made (Table VII).

 

1. Personnel:

 

Titles and names (if available) of all personnel (both professional and non-professional) involved in the project, whether or not salaries/honoraria are requested should be listed as shown in budget table (Table I)

 

Salaries paid for full time staff employed in a temporary capacity for the duration of the project or for shorter periods should generally not exceed the salary (including allowances) paid to full time staff of comparable educational status.

 

Full time employees of the department/institute who provide service for the project during normal working hours are not entitled to any payment if the work done could be regarded as part of their normal duties. They are however, entitled for honoraria for work done outside normal working hours, if such is needed or if it is not the part of their normal duties. Such payments should usually be calculated according to rules of the Council.