Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Commercialization of Research & Development Result and Innovations in Nigeria, at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.

In today's world, generating research results as well as new knowledge and turning them into new products and services is crucial to sustainable economic development, building a knowledge based economy and enhancement of a nation's competitiveness. Within the Nigerian context, it is a necessity for diversification of the economy and achievement of self-reliance through import reduction.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at their sitting on 31st May 2017 approved the National Strategy fur Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria and mandated the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) to take steps to ensure its effective implementation.

The National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development highlights the importance of exploiting Nigeria's R&D results and stated clearly that simply funding public investments in research by government is not all it takes, rather, we need to create a framework to facilitate the process of commercialization of viable research results. This demands that industry and researchers must work closely together and maximize the social and economic benefits of new ideas or R&D results. More than ever, we need to pool efforts and remove barriers that hinder collaboration between researchers and industry.

To this end, the FMST through the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is embarking on Commercialization of Viable Research & Development Projects Initiative as a response to the decision of the Federal Executive Council.
The FMST is therefore calling for expression of interest from research organizations, universities, researchers, innovators and other interested parties with projects considered viable for commercialization to submit their "R&D Commercialization Plan".

R&D Commercialization Plan Requirements
The Commercialization Plan should demonstrate the following:

• Technology idea/opportunity.
• Key proofs of concept and do-ability.
• Prototype demonstration.
• Rights (Intellectual Property), trials, approvals (regulatory certification evidence).
• Feasibility for commercial production (incubation stage/scale-up validation).
• Market entry/business model.

The R&D Commercialization Plan should offer a clear and concise description of the proposed R&D market potential and the planned path to commercialization, It should also illustrate the vision for the R&D result developed and how the proposed commercialization process fits into the future market. This goal is. expected to be achieved through clearly articulating a compelling value proposition for the intended customers or end-users.
Interested research organizations, universities, researchers, innovators and others are requested to send their proposal not exceeding twelve (12) pages on specific R&D results deemed viable for commercialization not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication through email to: randd@rmrdc.gov.ng
Director General/CEO
Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)
17, Aguiyi-Ironsi Street,Maitama District, Abuja.
Tel: +234 7098805375
E-mail: ceo@rmrdc.gov.ng

For further enquiries, please contact the Commercialization Secretariat:
Engr. Obassi Ettu and Engr.Vaqub Suleiman
Office of Director General/CEO
Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)
17, Aguiyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
Tel: +2349037836329 and +2348069323139
E-mail: ettustic@yahoo.com and yaqubsulaiman@yahoo.com

As well as visit our website; www.rmrdc.gov.ng