27RFP Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP) Grant Call Briefing - NIE Office of Education Research (OER) 20 October 2021
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27RFP Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP) Grant Call Briefing NIE Office of Education Research (OER) 20 October 2021
Programme
S/N Item Presenter/Facilitator Timing
1 Welcome Dr Elizabeth Koh 10.00am
Dr Elizabeth Koh
2 Presentation on 27RFP Grant Call with Q&A ERFP Research Grants 10.05am – 11.00am
Management Unit
3 Participants proceed to breakout rooms 11.00am – 11.15am
Breakout Session
• Instructional Core - Dr Divya Bhardwaj
• Contexts of Learning - A/P Mark Baildon and Dr Deborah Chua
• Early Childhood Education - Dr Anne Rifkin
• Bilingualism and Biliteracy Education - Dr Beth O'Brien and Dr
Sun Baoqi
4 Respective facilitators 11.15am – 12.00pm
• Lifelong Learning - Dr Betsy Ng
• Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIEd) - A/P Chen Wenli and
A/P Tan Seng Chee
Note: Participants will leave the meeting channel after the breakout
session.
2
Q&A
Please feel free to post your questions via this Slido link:
https://app.sli.do/event/vmzkdfpm
Alternatively, you can visit www.slido.com and key in event code #666693.
3
Outline (1)
Grant Call Information - Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP)
• Overview and Scope
• Grant Types
• Funding Quantum
• Programmatic Research
- Scope and Submission Process
- Project Structure
- Budget Structure
• Grant Application Review Process
• Grant Governance
• Principal Investigator (PI) and Team Member Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility Criteria for Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators and Collaborators
• Project Collaborations and ICT-based proposals
• Principal Investigator’s Responsibilities and Obligations
- Debarment
4
Outline (2)
Focus of Research
• 27RFP Sub-theme on AIEd
• NIE OER Research Programmes
• MOE Priority Research Foci
• Other Information: MOE Tertiary Education Research Fund (TRF) and ERFP
Administrative Matters
• Timeline 27RFP Grant Call
• 27RFP ERFP Guidelines and Application Package
• ERFP Administrative Guidelines
• Case for Support
• Gantt Chart
• Important Matters to Note
‒ Finance Matters
• Additional Information
‒ Instructional Core
‒ Contact Information
‒ For Reference
Annex A [For IHL (NIE) Applicants]
Annex B [For IHL Applicants]
Annex C (ROMS Manual for All Applicants)
5
ERFP Grant Call Information
Overview
Overview
• The 27th Request for Proposals (RFP) is the 8th call of the 4th tranche of research funding from the
Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore for the continuity of NIE’s Education Research Funding
Program (ERFP) (FY2018-2022).
• The ERFP focusses on education research in Singapore (in terms of knowledge, capability and
structure), developing innovations in existing and emerging niche research areas, and growing hubs of
research excellence to support Singapore’s education system in providing “Research-Informed
Education for Future-ready Learners.”
• Click here for examples of ERFP Projects.
• All grant call information can be found in the NIE Website.
https://www.nie.edu.sg/research/apply-for-grants/nie-education-research-funding-programme
7
Scope
• The primary aim of ERFP is to improve classroom practice, enhance student outcomes, build
organizational and teacher capacities in Singapore schools, and inform MOE policies. Thus, proposals
for ERFP funding must demonstrate relevance to MOE/OER’s mission and goals and potential benefits
to Singapore’s educational institutions.
• Scope of the projects should fall within the following criteria:
a. Early childhood, primary, secondary and/or JC education-related.
b. Studies on other parts of the education system that link to the emphasis of ERFP might be
considered if those links are clearly articulated.
c. May involve formal or informal learning linked to (a).
d. Teacher education and teacher professional learning for Singapore’s education system.
e. Studies of pathways of education and/or lifelong learning which are based in or include
participants from higher education are allowed (bearing in mind (b)). Projects that are limited to
benefits for higher education not related to (a) are excluded.
f. Meta-analysis/meta-synthesis studies can be submitted for funding if the studies meet all of the
ERFP requirements. This includes ensuring that the scope of the synthesis is well-defined and
the proposed budget is clearly articulated, in line with the intended scope. Principal Investigators
can refer to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
guidelines as an example of crucial methodological features to discuss.
g. International comparisons are allowed but international data collection, analysis or hiring is not
supported.
8
Grant Types
Research Grants
‘Research’ grants have the overarching purpose of producing new knowledge
or addressing a theoretical issue/problem which may lead to improvements in
classroom practice, enhance student outcomes, and build organizational and
teacher capacities. They should be situations within a broader international
understanding but have clear, local relevance.
Development Grants
‘Development’ grants must have a clear focus on developing, implementing and
evaluating deliverables which are generally usable ‘products’ (e.g., new
curriculum, educational tools, databases) in the local context. These might be
translation projects that build on and evaluate an implementation from a
previous grant. Development grants should recognize relevant international
work but the focus is on local deliverables.
9
Funding Quantum
Tier Quantum
1 < S$150K
2 S$150K to < S$350K
3/
≥ S$350K
Programmatic Proposal
Note: After this 27th RFP, there is one grant call left for the 4th tranche of ERFP.
10Programmatic Research - Scope
Scope
Programmatic research is defined by an over-arching research theme which
focuses on a key educational issue, problem, phenomena or outcome, along
with a number of interlinked sub-themes. The sub-themes are investigated
through specific research studies (i.e., ‘projects’) that address important aspects
or components of the over-arching issue, problem, phenomena or outcome.
Programmatic research therefore has a common strand or focus, supported by
a common theoretical framework, and undertakes a coherent, comprehensive,
multi-faceted approach to understanding and addressing the issue, problem,
phenomena or outcome.
Programmatic research is a specific category of proposals which have a funding
quantum of a Tier 3 proposal. Programmatic research is not applicable to Tier 1
and Tier 2 proposals.
11Programmatic Research – Submission Process
Submission Process and Details
All Programmatic Proposals applications are submitted online via ROMS.
Programmatic research may have team members from External Institution/IHL
e.g Co-PI or Collaborator.
IHL PIs who are submitting programmatic proposals must submit the softcopy
Expression of Interest (EOI) form and also include names of the sub project PIs
in the form. This is for the purpose of ROMS account access.
12Programmatic Research - Project Structure
Lead PI & Co-Lead PI (Mandatory)
Project Research
Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 Project n*
PI PI PI PI
*The average number of themes for a typical programmatic research is between two to five.
Diagram showing the relationship of Programmatic Project and its Projects
13Programmatic Research - Budget Structure
Common Budget Managed by
(E.g. equipment, hiring of RAs for common cross-theme tasks, Lead PI & Co-Lead PI
project manager, liaison officer, admin staff, impact videos)
Managed by
Project Project Individual Project PIs & Co-PIs
Project 1 Project 2
3 … n
Budget Budget
Budget Budget with regular reporting to the Lead
PI & Co-Lead PI
A graphical overview of the programme’s budget structure
Note: For further information on Programmatic Research, please refer to the 27RFP ERFP Administrative Guidelines
14Grant Application Review Process
The Approval Panel Meetings convene twice a year in tandem with the grant call cycle.
ERFP MOE
ERFP ERFP Tier 3
Initial Reviewer ERFP Expert Tier 1 and Tier Education
Recommending Approval
Screening Evaluation Panel Panel 2 Approval Research
Panel
Panel Steering
Committee
• Evaluation of • Reviewers: • Review and • Recommend Tier • Approve Tier 1 & 2 • Approve Tier 3, • Approve Tier 3,
Objectives by OER External and MOE Recommend Tier 1, 2, 3 and Programmatic and Programmatic and
1, 2, 3 and • Recommend Tier 3 MOE-Contracted
Experts Programmatic MOE-Contracted
Programmatic and Programmatic Proposals
Proposals Proposals Proposals to a cap
Proposals that of S$1M exceeding S$1M
merit funding
15Grant Governance
• NIE OER is required to follow MOF guidelines on grant governance. These guidelines are the
same for all national grants and NIE OER can be audited for compliance.
• All proposals and post grant processes must follow the standard guidelines regardless of the
PI and links between the PI and OER, NIE, NTU.
• All reviewers, Expert Panel and panel members must declare any conflict of interest with any
proposal.
• According to the Instructional Manual (IM) on Grants Governance, the role of the Approval
Authority (including that for research grants) is best performed by a member of the grant
agency (in this case, MOE) or a panel with substantive representation from the agency. The
Approval Panels include representation from different levels to ensure there is separation of
approving authority from grant applicant. The Tier 1 and Tier 2 Approval Panel is chaired by
Dir/NIE, with representation from MOE (currently, it is DCPD1, DET and DCRO). The ERFP
Recommending Panel is chaired by Dean ER/NIE and includes representation from MOE
(CRO, ETD and CPDD). Both the panels also include members from the IHL.
16Principal Investigator (PI) and Team Member Eligibility Criteria
PI Eligibility Requirement
• Full time staff (hired on the IHL’s academic track / academic contract or *research track) and funded by
the institution (i.e. not funded by project funds). A full-time appointment is defined as a minimum of 9
months a year.
• For research grants, applicants must have a doctorate degree.
• For development grants, applicants should preferably have a doctorate degree although it is not
compulsory.
• Applicants applying for Tier 2 and 3 grants must have demonstrated track record in securing national
grants and leading independent research as PI or co-PI.
*Research Fellows are eligible for Tier 1 grants only. Research Fellows are also not allowed to be the only
co-PI on Tier 2 or 3 grant proposals.
Team Member Eligibility Requirement
• Full time staff (hired on the IHL’s academic track / academic contract and research track) can apply as
team members (Co-PI and Collaborators)
• Non-academic staff with expertise that is relevant to the project can be a research team member with
justifications on the role. E.g. MOE Experts
• All projects need to include at least one Co-PI from the same Institution who meet the PI eligibility
requirement of the tier, so that the Co-PI can ensure continuity of the project should the original PI be
unable to continue.
17Project Collaborations and ICT-based proposals
Collaborations
Tier 2, Tier 3 and Programmatic Proposals are encouraged to include Co-PIs or Collaborators
from MOE or with school-affiliations to support synergistic research partnerships.
• This is to help team members have a better understanding of practical implications for
conducting research in schools as well as future options for translation and sustainability.
• If you are interested in meeting MOE Senior Specialists with similar interest, contact
ERFP Grant erfp.grant@nie.edu.sg and we will help you make connections.
ICT innovation proposals
• Applicants who are thinking of putting up proposals that are ICT-based may contact Dr Kom
Mun Siong (Lead Specialist, ETD) kom_mun_siong@moe.gov.sg to get feedback and inputs
in shaping their proposals and the potential for ETD colleagues to join their projects as
collaborators or Co-PIs.
• NIE PIs applying for a grant that involves ICT development (e.g. software, interactive website
or mobile app etc.) can work with Technology Advisory and Governance (TAG), and
collaborate with ACIS.
18PI Responsibilities and Obligations
Principal Investigator (PI)’s Role (see ERFP Administrative Guidelines 4.6)
• Management of the project, research team and budget in ways which accomplish the project
objectives in a satisfactory and timely manner
• Changes in time frame, research team, budget, participants/sample, research questions, etc.
require a request for amendment
• Various reports are required, e.g.
- Half yearly progress reports
- Final report including
• Final Statement of Account
• Final Report Form
• Final Closure Report
• Research Brief
• Research data management documentation (e.g. research data declaration, DMP)
• Presentation to MOE (occasionally other presentations are requested)
19Debarment
ERFP Administrative Guidelines Enclosure 1 Section 6.15
• PIs who fail to submit the Final Report and/or Final Statement of Account
within the stipulated timelines will be debarred. Debarred PIs will not be
eligible to submit new grant applications as PIs for a period starting from the
Final Report submission, and ending one year from the date the overdue Final
Report and/or Final Statement of Account is received by NIE OER.
• E.g. If the Final Report is due on 31 Jan 2021 and a PI submits the Final
Report on 15 Feb 2021, the PI will not be eligible to submit ERFP grant
applications for 1 year between 15 Feb 2021 and 14 Feb 2022.
20Focus of Research
NIE OER Research Programmes
1. Cognitive, Emotional and Social Development (CESD)
2. Teacher Professionalism and Learning (TPAL)
3. Schools, Leadership and System Studies (SLSS)
4. Lifelong Learning, Cognition and Wellbeing (LLCW)
5. Learning Sciences and Innovation (LSI)
For descriptions, see
https://nie.edu.sg/research/research-offices/office-of-education-research/centre-for-research-in-pedagogy-
and-practice-crpp
22MOE Priority Research Foci
The 27RFP will be a general call focusing on the broad MOE Priority research areas below and a
sub-theme on Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIEd).
Focus Areas Descriptor
Pedagogical research that studies the teaching and learning practices in the instructional core
(academic and non-academic) and how to improve these practices is important and useful to MOE.
Possible lines of inquiry include research to describe and measure patterns of curriculum, instruction
1. Instructional Core and assessment practices in Singapore schools; measure and explain the impact of these practices
on student outcomes with consideration of student/classroom characteristics; as well as identify
opportunities for improvement through interventions and professional development.
Learning occurs within multiple socio-cultural-historical contexts which interact with individual
differences to affect learning. A nuanced understanding of the complex interactions among these
contexts and their impact on individual learning is needed to better shape educational policies and
customise effective programmes. Possible lines of inquiry include research to examine less formal
2. Contexts of Learning
learning environments (including out-of-school and online) which affect learning; as well as understand
the diverse needs, schooling experiences and life contexts (e.g., home, community) of students
(beyond their individual differences) so as to enhance their overall learning and well-being.
23MOE Priority Research Foci
Focus Areas Descriptor
Children’s early years can critically affect their longer-term developmental trajectories, and quality
early childhood education plays an important role in developing their potential to the fullest. Possible
lines of inquiry include research to examine structural and process factors which influence children’s
learning and developmental outcomes (including non-academic areas); design effective professional
3. Early Childhood Education
development for pre-school practitioners; as well as understand the levers and mechanisms which can
help narrow developmental and learning gaps for low progressing children (including those from
disadvantaged backgrounds).
Bilingual policy has been a cornerstone of Singapore’s national curriculum. Contextually-attuned
research is needed to advance our understanding and strengthen our approaches in English and
Mother Tongue Languages learning. Possible lines of inquiry include research to support and motivate
4. Bilingualism and Biliteracy
students who are less proficient in English and Mother Tongue Languages; develop age-appropriate
Education
language proficiency measures; as well as understand the perceived role and value of Mother Tongue
Languages and English Language among families and in society.
It is important to help our learners develop not only the competencies that allow them to access further
learning (i.e., learn how to learn), but also the desire to learn, so that they can and will continue to
learn long after they leave school. Possible lines of inquiry include research to examine the
5. Lifelong Learning knowledge, skills, attitudes and values (KSAV) that are essential for a student to be an effective
lifelong learner beyond their schooling years; as well as understand the relationship between these
KSAV and 21st century competencies (including adaptability, resilience, perseverance) needed to
thrive in life and at work.
2427RFP Sub-theme on AIEd
Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIEd)
• Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIEd) is a sub-theme for the 27 ERFP. AIEd research covers areas
like knowledge representation, machine learning, pattern recognition, natural language processing,
intelligent robots and expert systems, which open new possibilities for teaching and learning. These
applications of AI could augment human decision making in learning, teaching, and assessment etc.,
thus rendering the processes more effective. AIEd research refers to the investigation and development
of innovative and ethical applications of AIEd. Researchers are encouraged to explore research lines of
inquiry in the following research focus areas of AI-augmented solutions:
Personalized learning (related to differentiated instruction and adaptive learning)
• Advancement in AI allows us to gain an understanding of individual students’ learning based on how
they respond to learning materials and activities. AI can provide personalized instructions, feedback, and
learning pathways for students.
Learning companion (focusing on social-emotional learning and well-being of students)
• AI can be used to capture, detect, recognize and classify multi-modal data (e.g., text, voice, computer
vision, and biometric sensing) on students’ social-emotional learning and well-being, and dispense
learning intervention(s) to motivate and engage students throughout the learning activities.
2527RFP Sub-theme on AIEd
Assessment of, for, and/or as learning (emphasizing academic and cognitive related outcomes)
• AI can be used to provide just-in-time feedback and assessment, such as being built into learning
activities for an ongoing analysis of student performance and achievement. AI is a powerful tool to open
up the ‘black box of learning’, by providing a deep, fine-grained understanding of when and how learning
happens.
Development of 21st century competencies
• This line of research will go beyond just adopting technology but deepen the use of AI technologies to
enable active learning in relation to MOE’s framework of 21st century competencies: communication,
collaboration and information skills; civic literacy, global awareness and cross-cultural skills; and critical
and inventive thinking.
Multi-level data-evidence decision making
• Studies which coordinate the analysis of data from multiple research projects deployed in different
pedagogical systems at the micro, meso, and macro levels to help various stakeholders (e.g., learners,
instructors and other decision-makers) to "see the big picture" and assess the risks to know whether
each research project is helping (or not helping) learners and take further steps to address problems if
necessary.
There may be areas of overlap. Research projects should aim for at least one AIEd focus. Multidisciplinary
research teams including strong skills both in education and in AI are encouraged to apply.
26Other Information
TRF (Tertiary Research Fund) ERFP
Selection Criteria in Clear aims and well-developed student Demonstration of relevance to MOE/OER’s
relation to objectives outcomes specifically targeted at improving mission and goals and potential benefits to
student learning in the institution or at a Singapore’s educational institutions, schools,
national level economy and industries
Target Applicants Singapore’s Post-Secondary Education NIE and Other Institutes of Higher Learning
Institutes (PSEIs), including the publicly-
funded universities, polytechnics and
Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
27Other Information
TRF (Tertiary Research Fund) ERFP
1.To empower educators Intended to foster research to 1.The ERFP focusses on Intended to foster high quality
and institutions to improve teaching and learning education research in research with strong theoretical/
actively and practices at own institution. Singapore (in terms of conceptual principles and
continuously improve Emphasis on practice-based knowledge, capability and rigorous methodology.
teaching and learning research with deliverables to structure), developing Emphasis on research to
(T&L) practices based improve teaching practices innovations in existing and improve general education,
on reliable research and/or student learning emerging niche research areas, student learning outcomes in K-
and data. outcomes in areas specifically and growing hubs of research S4 (+ JC), and educational
2.To promote effective relevant to the institution. excellence to support system in Singapore. Projects
and innovative T&L Support innovation in T&L at Singapore’s education system which fit within MOE priority
practices which have own institution. in providing “Research- areas and OER programmes
the potential to E.g. Research to improve T&L Informed Education for Future- are a priority.
Objectives improve the quality of at IHL (e.g. improving ready Learners.”
T&L across all university-based teaching; 2.To encourage efforts to design,
Institutes of Higher investigating new ITE develop and implement
Learning (IHLs) programme). These fit within strategic, evidence-based,
[Singapore’s Post- TRF. theoretically-warranted,
Secondary Education collaborative, scientifically-
Institutes] in rigorous and outcome-focused
Singapore. innovations in schools and
classrooms.
3.To improve classroom practice,
enhance student outcomes,
and to build organisational and 28
teacher capacities.Other Information
Applicants should not apply for both ERFP and TRF for the same project.
As the purposes are distinct, applicants should apply for the funding which best fits the
project objectives.
29Administrative Matters
Timeline 27RFP Grant Call
Timeline Details
7 Oct 2021 Grant Call Announcement
*22 Nov 2021 (5pm) Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)
*4 Jan 2022 (5pm) Submission deadline of proposals by Applicants
13 Jan 2022 Deadline for Endorsement by Reporting Officer / Director of Research (DoR)
10 Jan to 11 Jan 2022 Initial Screening
18 Jan to 4 Mar 2022 Peer Review of Proposals
28 Mar to 31 Mar 2022 ERFP Expert Panel
5 Apr to 7 Apr 2022 ERFP Recommending Panel
25 May to 27 May 2022 (Tentative) ERFP Tier 1 and Tier 2 Approval Panel (T1T2AP)
From Jul 2022 Award of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Projects
25 Jul 2022 ERFP Tier 3 Approval Panel (T3AP)
23 Aug 2022 MOE Education Research Steering Committee (ERSC)
From Sep 2022 Award of Tier 3 and Programmatic Projects
*NIE OER will not accept late submissions of EOI and full proposal submission after the respective deadlines above.
Applicants are strongly advised to submit the EOI and application as early as possible so that there is time to resolve any issues
that may arise. Late and incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
3127RFP ERFP Guidelines and Application Package
All grant call information can be found in the NIE Website.
https://www.nie.edu.sg/research/apply-for-grants/nie-education-research-funding-
programme
For NIE Applicants, the grant call information can also be found in the Staff Portal
(https://portal.nie.edu.sg/): Login > Research > NIE Education Research Funding
Programme (ERFP)
3227RFP ERFP Guidelines and Application Package
PDF embedded in the
guidelines link
Self-checklist for methodology –
highly recommended for PI self-
check
33ERFP Administrative Guidelines
Grant types
Application
Budget Planning
34ERFP Administrative Guidelines
Programmatic
Proposal
Information
35Case for Support - Recommendations and Contingencies
Your Case for Support should cover the following items:
Research Project Development Project
a) Objectives of the Research Project a) Purpose
b) Relevance to MOE / NIE / OER / IHL’s b) Relevance to MOE / NIE / OER / IHL’s
Goals and Directions Goals and Directions
c) Literature Review c) Review of Current Development
d) Purpose of Proposed Study Landscape
e) Competitive / Comparative Advantage d) Project Life Cycle
f) Description of Principal Investigator’s and e) Evaluation Phase of the Development
Team Members’ Effort Level in Project f) Competitive / Comparative Advantage
g) Description of Principal Investigator’s and
Team Members’ Effort Level in Project
36Case for Support - Development Projects
This should broadly cover the following items:
37Case for Support - Tips
• Although not specified in the application form, please also include brief comments on
ethical considerations and contingency plans (especially for larger projects).
• If you have engaged Research Staff not part of the project team, to assist in the
drafting of this Case for Support, please do acknowledge their effort.
• Teams should also consider if team members who contribute a very small number of
hours add sufficient value to the team.
• Responsibilities of all team members must be stated including Co-PIs, Collaborators
and RAs.
• For projects which are exploratory or where results are dependent on previous
stages, the Case for Support should include comments on the budget for the
respective stages and tasks.
• Programmatic Proposals should include a description of how the sub projects are
linked or in what ways they work together for greater synergy.
38Case for Support – General comments
• More attention to elaborate rigor of how the methodology could address the
Research Questions.
• A more focused and succinct literature review allows Principal Investigators to
elaborate and justify their methodology.
39Case for Support - Page Allowance
Tier 1 and 2
• No more than 20 pages
• Maximum allowance of 4 pages for references, appendices and any tables or diagrams.
Tier 3
• No more than 23 pages
• Maximum allowance of 4 pages for references, appendices and any tables or diagrams.
Programmatic Research
• No more than 25 pages
• Maximum allowance of 8 pages for references, appendices and any tables or diagrams.
• Information for each theme is to be included as Appendices (5 to 7 pages for each theme).
40Gantt Chart
• The Research Implementation Schedule should include sufficient detail to show the progress
of work in relation to the purpose, hiring, Research Associate/Assistant (RA) work,
methodology and budget.
• The Gantt Chart should be detailed and should align with justification of budget line items to
show which work is undertaken when, how it relates to the budget, and especially to research
teams (e.g. RA) costs.
• Key tasks undertaken by Research Associates/Assistant/Research Fellows should be clearly
indicated in the Gantt Chart to support the hiring period.
• In particular, be sure to include RA work at each stage (e.g. instrument development, data
archiving, final report preparation).
• Some recommendations for PIs to consider:
- Hiring period
- Training period
- Data collection, analysis and write up
- Data management (e.g. institutional requirements for anonymizing, submission to data
repositories, open access options)
41Gantt Chart
42Important Matters to Note
Project Duration:
• Estimated Start date for Tier 1 and 2: From Jul 2022
• Estimated Start date for Tier 3 and Programmatic Proposal: From Sep 2022
• When planning project duration, factor in three additional months for ethics (IRB) approval
and hiring of Research Staff.
- Note that ethics approval will be done at each IHL based on their own standard
procedures.
Co-PI:
• The inclusion of a Co-PI, from the same institution as the PI is mandatory for all proposals so
as to ensure continuity of the project should the PI be unable to continue.
Human Resources Vote:
• All related manpower costs for the duration of the hire (PB, AWS, medical benefits, insurance,
hiring costs, etc.) must be included.
43Important Matters to Note
Equipment Vote:
• Justifications and quotations must be provided for all equipment budgeted.
- Note: Office equipment such as laptops are not allowed to be budgeted.
Other Costs Vote:
• Clearly state the required software for the project together with justifications and quotations.
• Ensure that the term of licenses covers the whole project duration.
• Overseas travel/conference, including professional development for PI and Co-PI:
- Capped at 5% of the total direct project cost, subject to a maximum budget of S$100,000
(for PP, cap is applied to the project as a whole).
- Includes local conferences/workshops/seminars; local courses/online courses for PI and
Co-PI as well as books, reference materials, lab manuals, specialized journals
subscription.
- Professional development (for full time Research Associate/Research Fellow):
• Allowed for up to 2% of the original HR full-time budget, for local
conferences/workshops/seminars; local courses/online courses.
44Finance Matters
Funding covers the 4th Tranche Education Research Funding Programme (FY2018-2022)
PIs are to refer to the ERFP guidelines and T&C governing the ERFP grant for details
- ERFP Guidelines and T&C will take precedence over respective institute’s guidelines and
practices.
- Payment of project-related claims/invoices to claimant/vendors will be made by IHLs based on
respective institute’s guidelines and practices.
- NIE will reimburse project expenditure and overheads to IHLs on a quarterly basis.
- All project activities and expenditure must be according to the approved budget line items, and
be incurred between the project start date and end date.
• Certain items, such as equipment and reference materials, cannot be bought in the last
three months of the project. (Refer to ERFP Guideline for details and other similar cases.)
- PIs must ensure that there are sufficient funds in the four project votes before committing to any
purchases or payments.
45Finance Matters
Projects are provided with overheads (20% of direct costs) for 4th tranche
• Applicable only for non-NIE IHLs
• Management of Overheads should align with respective institute’s policies
• Overheads are part of the tier quantum and should be included in project budget planning
• Example:
VOTE TOTAL COSTS ($)
Human Resource Costs $38,000
Equipment Costs $37,000
Consumable Costs $37,000
Other Costs $37,000
Total Direct Cost $149,000
Institutional Indirect Research Costs (IIRC) $29,800
(20% of Total Direct Cost)
Grand Total $178,800
Project Tier 2
46Finance Matters
Other matters
• PIs are advised to be prudent, transparent and accountable for all project
financial matters.
• NIE OER aims to provide support to PIs and learn together to improve
processes as we progress.
47Additional Information
Instructional Core
• CORE committee will screen through submitted proposal and identify projects that
are CORE-related.
• PIs will be informed during the Letter of Award if their projects are classified as
CORE and will be approached by the CORE team.
• If projects are not classified as CORE, they might be re-classified to a different
Research Programme.
• This process does not determine whether or not a project will be funded – it is only
relevant to whether or not the project is designated as part of ‘Instructional Core’.
48Additional Information
Contact Information
• For general grants queries, please email ERFP Grant erfp.grant@nie.edu.sg.
• For technical assistance on ROMS, please email Research Operation Management
System IT Support (NIE) servicedesk@nie.edu.sg.
• For queries on Points of Contact (POCs) of the respective IHLs, please email ERFP
Grant erfp.grant@nie.edu.sg.
49Additional Information
For Reference
• NIE Applicants, please refer to Annex A for additional information.
• IHL Applicants and POCs, please refer to Annex B for additional information.
50Research dissemination platforms
NIE Research:
http://www.nie.edu.sg/research/research-offices
NIE OER website:
http://www.nie.edu.sg/research/research-offices/office-of-
education-research
NIE Research Brief Series:
https://www.nie.edu.sg/research/publication/nie-research-
brief-series
NIE OER Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/NIEOER
SingTeach Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SingTeach/
51Breakout Session
MOE Priority Research Foci
Facilitators Room Number
and AIEd sub theme
Instructional Core Dr Divya Bhardwaj Room 1
A/P Mark Baildon and Dr
Contexts of Learning Room 2
Deborah Chua
Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Rifkin Room 3
Dr O'Brien Beth and and Dr
Bilingualism and Biliteracy Education Room 4
Sun Baoqi
Lifelong Learning Dr Betsy Ng Room 5
Artificial Intelligence for Education A/P Chen Wenli and A/P Tan
Room 6
(AIEd) Seng Chee
52Q&A Session
Please feel free to post your questions via this Slido link:
https://app.sli.do/event/vmzkdfpm
Alternatively, you can visit www.slido.com and key in event code #666693
53Programme + Ending Notes
S/N Item Timing
11.00am –
3 Participants proceed to breakout rooms
11.15am
Zoom Breakout Session
• Room 1: Instructional Core - Dr Divya Bhardwaj
• Room 2: Contexts of Learning - A/P Mark Baildon and Dr Deborah Chua
• Room 3: Early Childhood Education - Dr Anne Rifkin 11.15am –
4
• Room 4: Bilingualism and Biliteracy Education - Dr Beth O'Brien and Dr Sun Baoqi 12.00pm
• Room 5: Lifelong Learning - Dr Betsy Ng
• Room 6: Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIEd) - A/P Chen Wenli and A/P Tan Seng Chee
Note: Briefing session ends from the respective rooms.
Ending Notes:
• Grant call information can be found at https://www.nie.edu.sg/research/apply-for-grants/nie-education-
research-funding-programme
• 22 Nov 2021 (5pm), Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)
• 25 Oct 2021 (10-11am), 27RFP ERFP Grant Writing Workshop. Register by today (20 Oct)
https://www.gevme.com/27RFPGrantWriting
54Annex A [For IHL (NIE) Applicants] - Slides 55 to 60
OER Research Programme Management Unit (RPMU) Services for PIs
(Tier 3 and PP)
• PIs who are considering to submit Tier 3 and Programmatic Proposals are advised to
contact OER RPMU as soon as possible.
• Services for supporting applicants in ERFP Grants (Tier 3 and PP):
• Pre-Award Proposal Development Service
• Post-Award Project Development Service
56RPMU Pre-Award Proposal Development Service (Tier 3 and PP)
• Facilitates the development processes of proposal, and towards successful
supported submission
• Processes may include:
- Identifying potential collaborators and team members,
- Conduct guidelines briefing,
- Milestones planning & works coordination/tracking,
- Knowledge brokering,
- Facilitate sharing/review to solicit feedback (e.g. via retreat platform)
- Resources estimation & budgeting,
- Finalizing checks of grant documents,
- Assist in online/offline submission
57RPMU Post-Award Project Development Service (Tier 3 and PP)
• Focus on the Project initiation phase (3-6 months from grant award)
• Facilitates the creation of project/program office (PO/PMO) to assist the project team
to kick-start their project
• PO/PMO creation include processes such as collate (or adapt & formalize) existing
standard procedures of key administrative activities:
- Project planning
- Assist in the hiring process of project officer/manager and inducting them to the
PO/PMO standard procedures such as procurement, PTRA/ hiring, consultant
engagement, expenditures/budget tracking, project variation/change requests &
progress reporting
- Assist in FT RAs hiring
- Assist in IRB application
58ROMS Access via NIE Staff Portal
NIE Portal (http://portal.nie.edu.sg/): Login > Research > NIE Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP)
59ROMS Link: 27RFP ERFP Guidelines and Application Package
Application
Guidelines
NIE Portal (http://portal.nie.edu.sg/): Login > Research > NIE Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP)
60Annex B [For IHL Applicants] - Slides 61 to 65
List of IHLs
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
• National University of Singapore (NUS)
• Yale-NUS College
• Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
• Singapore Management University (SMU)
• Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
• Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
• Republic Polytechnic (RP)
• Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
• Temasek Polytechnic (TP)
• ITE College
62ERFP Grant Process Flow for IHL Applicants and Point of Contact (POC)
22 November 4 January 2022
2021 5pm 23 – 30 5pm
2 weeks 13 January 2022
7 October 2021 Deadline for the November 2021 Close of Grant
Completeness DoR
Grant Call submission of ROMS Account Call and
check by OER Endorsement
Announcement Expression of Creation Submission
Interest (EOI) Deadline
•Grant Call Documents will •ROMS Account Creation • ERFP Tier 1-3 and
•IHL POCs to submit for IHL Applicants and DoR •Completeness check by •DoR Endorsement by 13
be made available in the softcopies of collated EOI Programmatic Proposals: NIE OER. January 2022.
email announcement. IHL by NIE OER. Submission via ROMS by
to NIE OER by 5pm, 22 •NIE OER will liaise with IHL •NIE OER routes
POCs to disseminate the Applicants by 5pm, 4 applications to DoR for
November 2021. POCs to provide the January 2022. IHL POCs will
grant call information to endorsement. IHL POCs
their staff. accounts. be notified of submission.
will be notified.
63Grant Call Submission Details – ERFP Tier 1 - 3 & Programmatic Proposal Applications
Expressions of Interest (EOI) – 22 November 2021
• Applicants should indicate their expression of interest as early as possible and
submit them to the IHL Point of Contact (POC) within their own institution.
• EOIs are required to be submitted for all Tier 1 to 3 and Programmatic
Proposals via the EOI Form.
• IHL POCs will be required to collate all EOIs that the Institution would like to
support and send them to ERFP Grant via email at erfp.grant@nie.edu.sg by
5pm, 22 November 2021.
• NIE OER will liaise with POCs who have submitted the collated EOIs about
gaining access to the Research Operation Management System (ROMS)
account. ROMS accounts will be provided for respective applicants as well as
Director of Research (DoR) within your institution.
64Grant Call Submission Details – ERFP Tier 1 - 3 & Programmatic Proposal Applications
Grant Submission – 4 January 2022
• All applications for ERFP (Tier 1 to 3) as well as Programmatic Proposals are
submitted directly by applicants online via ROMS by 5pm, 4 January 2022.
Only applicants who has submitted EOIs will be able to submit applications
via ROMS.
• NIE OER will liaise with IHL POCs who have submitted the collated EOIs
about account access on ROMS for respective applicants by 30 November
2021. The account access for the Director of Research (DoR) at the relevant
institutions will also be provided.
• The submission deadline of all applications is before 5pm, 4 January 2022.
NIE OER will not accept late or incomplete submissions after this deadline.
Directors of Research are required to endorse applications by 13 January
2022.
65Annex C (ROMS Manual for all applicants) - Slides 66 to 97
PI ROMS Access
67PI ROMS Dashboard
Note: Grant Call number, Open Date, Close Date and login user name shown are for illustration only
68Expression of Interest
69Expression of Interest
70Expression of Interest
71Expression of Interest
72Expression of Interest
73Expression of Interest
74Grant Application – Project Overview
75Grant Application – Project Overview
76Grant Application – Changing Category
77Grant Application – Project Details
78Grant Application – Project Details
79Grant Application – Project Details
Cannot add a row and don’t enter any value
Delete the row to proceed
80Grant Application – Project Details
81Grant Application – Project Team
82Grant Application – Project Team
‘Internal 1 CV’ and ‘Internal 2 CV’ should correspond to the CVs for team members as indicated in sequence
‘Seq’ lines 1 and 2 respectively.
83Grant Application – Budget Planning
84Grant Application – Budget Planning
85Grant Application – Budget Planning
86Grant Application - Declaration
87Grant Application - Declaration
88Grants Application – Full Proposal
89Grant Application – Full Proposal
90Grant Application – Printable Application Form
91Grant Application – Submit Application Form
92Grant Application – Submit Application Form
93Grant Application – Submitted Application Form
94DOR ROMS Access
95Grant Application – DOR Dashboard
96Grant Application – DOR Endorsement
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