Announcements

YBhg. Datuk Seri/Dato’ Seri/Datuk/Dato’/Datin/Prof./Ir./Dr./Tuan/Puan,

Assalamualaikum and warm greetings from Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia (MOSTI)!

2.        For your information, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is the focal point of Malaysia for the APEC Forum of APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (APEC PPSTI). APEC PPSTI mission is to support the development of science and technology cooperation as well as effective science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations in APEC through collaboration between government, academia, private sector and other APEC fora. In addition, the Partnership supports a range of capacity building projects. The theme for APEC 2018 which is set by Papua New Guinea as the host country for 2018 is “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future” and the 3 priorities for APEC 2018 are as follows;

i)     Improving Connectivity, Deepening Regional Economic Integration (REI);

ii)    Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; and

iii)   Strengthening Inclusive Growth through Structural Reform.

3.        We are pleased to inform you that APEC has opened its Project Funds for 2018. There are mainly 4 types of Project Funds and a brief description of each fund are as below. Further information on the criteria and eligibility of each fund can be obtained through the APEC Website; https://www.apec.org/Projects/Funding-Sources .

i)            General Project Account (GPA)

Priority Areas: 

·         Promoting Sustainable, Innovative and Inclusive Growth

·         Improving Connectivity, Deepening Regional Economic Integration

·         Strengthening MSMEs’ Competitiveness and Innovation in the Digital Age

·         Enhancing Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Response to Climate Change

·         Strengthening Inclusive Growth Through Structural Reform

ii)           APEC Support Fund (ASF) - General Fund

Priority Areas: Supports capacity building needs for APEC Developing Economies in priority areas articulated in the Manila Framework, specifically:

1)    Developing Human Capital

2)    Developing stable, safe and efficient capital markets through structural reform

3)    Strengthening economic infrastructure

4)    Facilitating technology flows and harnessing technologies for the future

5)    Safeguarding the quality of life through environmentally sound growth

6)    Developing and strengthening the dynamism of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

7)    Integration into the global economy

8)    Human security and counter-terrorism capacity building

9)    Promoting the development of knowledge-based economies

10) Addressing social dimension of globalization

iii)         APEC Support Fund (ASF)- Sub-Fund

·         Sub-Fund on Human Security

·         Sub-Fund on Health and Emergency Preparedness

·         Sub-Fund on Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Measures

·         Sub-Fund on Supply Chain Connectivity

·         Sub-Fund on Mining

·         Sub-Fund on Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and Global Value Chains

·         Sub-Fund on Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth

·         Sub-Fund on Connectivity

·         Sub-Fund on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

·         Sub-Fund on the Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (RAASR)

·         Sub-Fund on Women and the Economy

iv)         Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation Special Account (TILF)

Priority Areas: Trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in at least one of the 15 areas listed in Part 1 of the Osaka Action Agenda :

1)    Tariffs

2)    Non-Tariff measures

3)    Services (telecommunications, transportation, energy and tourism sectors)

4)    Investment

5)    Standards and Conformance

6)    Customs procedures

7)    Intellectual Property Rights

8)    Competition Policy

9)    Government Procurement

10)  Deregulation/ Regulatory review and reform

11)  Implementation of WTO’s obligation (including RULES OF ORIGIN) 

12)  Dispute Mediation

13)  Mobility of Business People

14)  Information gathering and analysis (groundwork) 

15)  Strengthening economic legal infrastructure

4.            You may find further information on how to apply for the funding through the APEC website: https://www.apec.org/Projects/Applying-for-Funds . Please find attached the following documents to assist you in the application process and submission of a Concept Note:

i)     Guidebook on APEC Projects Edition 12

ii)    Concept Note Template

iii)   APEC Scoring Criteria for Concept Note 2018

5.            In this regard, we would like to invite interested organisations to apply for this funding to organize capacity building programs related to the APEC Agenda. The deadline for the APEC Project Session 1 / 2018 are 21 March 2018(submission of Concept Note to Program Director) and 28 March 2018 (submission of Concept Note to APEC Secretariat Project Management Unit). Hence, should your esteemed organization be interested in submitting a proposal for the APEC funding, the Concept Note must be submitted to the undersigned and Mr. Nuri Sharmie (nuri@mosti.gov.my) latest by 19 February 2018 (Monday) to enable MOSTI’s focal point to obtain endorsement from the proposing fora (APEC PPSTI) and to secure co-sponsoring economies for the project before the submission deadline of the Concept Note to the Program Director. Should you have any enquiries or would like to seek further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please cc your application forms to the Grant Initiatives Unit to: Sis Aida Melly bt. Tan Mutalib (grant_app@iium.edu.my).

Your attention and kind consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you..

Regards,

Ms. Nazratul Ain Mohamad Ali

International Division

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Level 6, Block C4, Parcel C

Federal Government Administrative Centre

62662 Putrajaya, Malaysia

Tel. No. : +603 8885 8236

Mobile No: +6017-7818560

Fax. No. : +603 8888 8090 (Attn: International Division)

*We look forward to the submissions of innovative research applications from the IIUM Researchers.

Thank you.

GRANT INITIATIVE UNIT

Research Management Centre                                              

International Islamic University Malaysia