Grooming Centre Announces 2023 N20m Research Grant Scheme for Tertiary Institutions’ Students

Oluchi Chibuzor

As part of its commitment to knowledge development, a Grooming Centre has announced its 2023 N20 million tertiary institution research grant scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The 2023 university grant will be awarded to 100 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students who are presently carrying out their final year’s research studies in the areas of either microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development.

Speaking in Lagos recently to formally announce the programme, the Chief Operating Officer, Centre for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM), Mr. Clifford Onyeike, said the grant scheme is the Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Centre.

He added that most importantly, the grant is aimed at catalysing research, knowledge and management “by providing monetary incentives through a grant system to 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking their research works in the aforementioned sectors each year.”

He explained that submission would open on June 26, 2023, and would application close on August 18, 2023, adding that research must show a high level of originality, imaginative thought and data-inclusiveness.

According to him, “Applicants must be either a student at the postgraduate or undergraduate level in a Nigerian tertiary institution whose research study is in the area of microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development. The focus of the research study must be relevant to the Nigerian context, practical, innovative and should be capable of promoting any of the above areas of interest in the Nigerian.”

On his part, the Head of Special Projects, Grooming Centre, Chikezie Egbulefu, said applicants must be a student at an NUC/ NBTE approved Nigerian university or polytechnic.

According to him, “Applicants must submit a written recommendation from his/her project supervisor to benefit from the N20 million available.

“The applicant must submit a research concept of between 10 to 25 pages which will include an introduction, a literature review, and research methodology along with the candidate’s personal profile. Awardees will be required to submit final soft copies of the research project on completion of the study. There is no age, gender, religious or ethnic barrier to the application.”