Key into Grooming N20m research grants – Egbulefu urges varsity students

The project coordinator and head of New Initiatives at Grooming Centre,  Mr. Chikezie Egbulefu has charge students in universities across the nation to key into the company’s annual research grants as the Centre has earmarked the sum of N20 million to be given to 150 students in universities as a research grant under its scheme termed “2020 Grooming Centre University Grant Scheme”.

According to him, 100 selected undergraduate students would receive N100,000 each while the 50 postgraduate students takes N200,000 each based on their research work.

Egbulefu said the scheme, which is the second in the series, is designed to catalyze research and knowledge development in the areas of microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and women in development in the country.

He explained that the 2020 University Grants would be awarded to 100 undergraduate and 50 post graduate students who are presently carrying out their research studies in the areas of microfinance, rural development, inclusive finance, social enterprise, MSME and or women in development.

He noted that the project, which is managed by the Center for Research in Enterprise and Action in Management (CREM), is designed to focus on and encourage research findings that have potentials to enhance the growth of the Nigerian economy post-COVID-19 and contribute to general human development.

Explaining the requirements to qualify for consideration under the scheme, Mr. Alex Ajibo, who heads a technical committee set up to operationalise the project, said a participant must be either a student at the postgraduate or undergraduate level in Nigerian tertiary institution.

Furthermore, he said such a student must be carrying out research on a topic that is relevant to the areas earlier listed.

He explained that when the portal for submission of research works opens on September 30, 2020, the applicants must submit their entries through the company’s email: info@groomingresearchgrant.org latest October 8, 2020.

Ajibo further listed the other conditions for qualifying to apply for the award: “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 Nigeria. The research must show a high level of originality, imaginative thought and be data inclusive. The applicant must be a student at an approved Nigeria university or polytechnic.

“The applicant must submit a written recommendation from his/her project supervisor and submit a research proposal of not less than 25 pages which should include an introduction, a literature review, and research methodology along with candidate’s personal profile.“