1-2011 FUTURES (IHL – INDUSTRY) CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Call for Proposal for IHL-Industry Lab Structure for Real Time Contextual Insights (RTCI)

Background

The Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO) aims to develop data analytics for Real-Time Contextual Insights as a unique strength for key industries in Singapore. Today, market research is often based on surveys of limited sample populations to generate demographic profiles based on a limited set of generalized categories. Consumer response is predicted based on the past behaviour of these demographic profiles and on their purported future actions. However, these surveys may not adequately allow for the incorporation of network and other environmental stimulus to impact behaviour. The current approach is limited by the amount of information that can reasonably be requested and collected, hence limiting the ability to gain deeper insights.

Real-Time Contextual Insights (RTCI) is rapidly emerging as a new area of scientific research. The central concerns of this research are generating new, commercial, network-centric, real-time applications and services—all stemming from our life in contextual networks, and the fact that these transactions leave digital traces that have the potential to transform our understanding of our lives, organizations, and societies.

IDMPO aims to enable research and experimentation on large-scale applications, services, and methodologies to obtain consumer insights that are:

a. Real-time, Dynamic and Interactive;

b. Contextualised (ie. incorporating geo-spatial, situational, and social network information)

c. On a large (‘societal’) scale

In addition, the IDMPO aims to position Singapore as a leader for next generation approaches to understand and harness consumer preferences and social behaviour. This involves the use of real-time analytics to gain actionable insights on consumers from multiple data sources, including the social media. Such a programme will support R&D projects, develop domain-specific methodologies, models, technologies, and tools, and bring them rapidly to commercial readiness through market trials.

Areas of Joint-R&D R&D could include: Real-time Data Analytics, Social Network Analysis, Sentiment Analysis, Computational Social Studies, Socio-Cognitive Sciences, Deep Analytics, Security and Data Privacy, etc.

Complementing this effort, the IDMPO also aims to harness the power of sustainable IDM Innovation Platforms that would support large-scale experimentation and drive innovative applications in growth verticals such as Media & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, and Training & Education.

Eligibility Criteria

The IDM Futures Funding Initiative seeks to fund research resulting in translational impact on Industry. As such, submission should be made jointly by at least ONE Institute of Higher Learning AND at least ONE industry partner for joint research in Singapore. Research may be conducted at the premises of local Industry or HLs (i.e. Lab within a Lab). Funding will only be provided for research conducted in Singapore.

Budget and Funding Quantum

IDMPO is looking to fund substantial size projects ($5m – $10m¹) in the area of RTCI and IDM Innovation platforms. To further ensure joint research between IHLs and Industry, it is a requirement under this initiative that no less than 30% of the IHL’s overall R&D cost be borne by an Industry partner in joint research partnerships. Such industry support can be in the form of cash, and in-kind contributions for manpower, equipment (hardware / software) and other types of specialised support.

IHLs are also expected to contribute cash / in-kind contributions to match IDMPO’s funding support for the Centre.

The budget submitted for the entire project should be based on the following broad categories:

a. Expenditure On Manpower (EOM);

b. Equipment; and

c. Other Operating Expenditure (OOE), with sub-categories for professional services, conferences/overseas working visits/meetings, materials & consumables, use of services/laboratory space, miscellaneous costs and any other relevant costs.

IP and Commercialisation Framework

Projects are likely to see partnership from multiple collaborators. As such, the default IP position is to have the IP created by the project to be jointly owned by the participating parties.

Collaborators in funded projects would be expected to set the IP ownership position clearly through formalized agreements.

The Singapore Government and public sector agencies shall reserve a non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free right and license to use, modify, reproduce and distribute the IP created under the funded project for non-commercial, R&D and/or educational purposes only.

Making an Application to MDA

The application process comprises of two stages: (i) Concept Proposal stage; and (ii) Full Proposal stage.

In response to this call for applications by the IDMPO, the applicant(s) should first submit a Concept Proposal of not more than 15 powerpoint slides (in minimum size 20-point Arial font with reasonable margins), describing the research programme being proposed.

While no fixed format is required for the 15 slide Concept Proposal, it should minimally include the following information presented in a clear and organized manner:

i.          Objectives of the proposed RTCI R&D programme (both scientific as well as in terms of potentialeconomic and other impact on Singapore).

ii.          Role of industry (type of industry involvement and partnership proposed),the impact and outcome of the Centre to the Industry, as well as the domain of application for the Centre’s research;

iii.          Brief overview of the individual projects within the programme (including how they relate to each other and to the objectives of the programme);

iv.          Novelty of proposed research viz-a-viz the current state-of-the-art in that field (including an assessment of the international competitiveness of the programme against other efforts by competitors around the world);

v.          Expected research outputs and outcomes, and proposed key performance indicators (KPIs) for the programme (which should be linked to measuring progress towards the objectives of the programme);

vi.          Budget;

vii.          Timeline of the programme (including intermediate milestones over the duration of the programme);

viii.         The proposed research team’s expertise and relevant prior work/experience, including the roles and contributions of the primary applicants, and other partners where relevant;

ix.          Justifications for IDMPO funding support for the proposed programme

and

x.          Any other relevant information.

Interested parties may wish to refer to the submission template (download slides)

Submission and Closing Date

All proposals should be submitted by email to the following email addresses:

mda_idmpo@mda.gov.sg
Ooi_Chi_Yih@mda.gov.sg

Your email should have the following subject heading: “Industry-IHL RTCI application <insert project name>”.

Note: Extension of Deadline for Submission of Proposals – 1700 Hrs, 31 Oct 2011

Only shortlisted applicants will be informed and advised on the submission of Full Proposals and queries with regards to the selection process and status of funding proposals will not be entertained.