| Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) |
NAPA Research Mini-Grant (RMG) Program
Awarded Grants
2022 Grant Cycle 2020 Grant Cycle 2019 Grant Cycle
2024 Grant Cycle
Background
Founded in 2016, the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, non-religious, and non-political professional organization that aspires to contribute to agricultural transformation for food security. The Research and Capacity Building Committee (RCBC) of NAPA has been launching a competitive Research Mini-Grant (RMG) program since 2019 to support applied research projects on Agricultural and Allied Sciences (AAS) in Nepal. Please visit https://napaamericas.org/grants for details.
Objective(s)
The RMG program intends to provide funding and advisory support to post-secondary students in Nepal to conduct high-impact research in the field of AAS. The studies are expected to address knowledge gaps and contribute to innovations toward the development of economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sustainable plant and animal-based agricultural systems and natural resource management.
Funding amount and areas
NAPA plans to support research proposals of up to NRs 40,000 each for a proposal as a sole or matching fund. In this call, RCBC considers proposals in diverse, specialized, and interdisciplinary areas of AAS contributing to enhancing the knowledge base, defining challenges, and identifying opportunities for technological, socioeconomic, and policy interventions. Priorities will be given to studies focusing on prospective under-utilized resources (for example, plant and animal species, local landraces/breeds), climate change, waste management, renewable energy, adaptive technologies, and value-addition and niche-based opportunities.
Eligibility
This call for proposals is specifically for students from post-secondary academic and vocational institutions. All undergraduate/vocational school students’ research projects that require monetary and advisory support are eligible. Students must have at least one year remaining before graduation to complete the proposed study. However, undergraduate seniors can be eligible if this project is adopted as their intern project and is certified by the university/institution.
How to apply?
• Follow the online proposal form for each section including Project Title, Background, Research Hypothesis and Objectives, Methodology, Deliverables and Expected Outcomes, Timeline, responsibility of key personnel, and Budget. (Form is available at: https://forms.gle/MfLf8ZbY8uXVZ3hA6)
• Proposals must be accompanied by a recommendation letter from the student’s advisor(s) explaining his/her academic standing and ability to conduct the proposed study.
• The recommendation letter shall also provide the advisor’s full commitment to serve as the resident advisor to the student for the duration of the project.
• Investigators proposing collaboration/partnership with other eligible institutions/entities should include letter(s) of support from the collaborating institution(s).
• An advisor can submit a recommendation letter for only one student or group of students working on the sample proposal.
Terms and conditions
• Proposals not adhering to the Call for Proposal guidelines will not be considered.
• Project duration shall be 12 months including the submission of the summary report to NAPA.
• Selected projects may be extended for the second year on a case-by-case basis (at no additional cost to NAPA) if unforeseen situations like natural disasters and/or institutional shutdowns hinder the research progress. RCBC must be notified in advance if such situations arise.
• No grant money can be spent on Indirect Costs (institutional administration and other fees).
• Grant money shall not be used to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension/outreach space; to purchase or install fixed equipment in such a place; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities.
Timeline
• Proposal Submission Deadline: October 31st, 2024; 11:59 pm US Eastern Standard Time (New York Time)
• Awardees will be notified: on February 15, 2025
• Contracts with awardees: March 31, 2025
• Research duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Final report submission: April 15, 2026
Proposal evaluation criteria
• Background: Statement/significance of the problem, the rationale/justification of the study, literature review, and conceptual framework upon which the research builds (10 points)
• Innovativeness: originality in terms of new ideas and/or subject area (20 points)
• Hypothesis/objectives: Clarity in the research question/hypothesis which should be built logically from the problem statement (10 points)
• Methodology: Appropriate to address the research question(s) (20 points)
• Deliverables and expected outcomes: Measurable products or results from the proposed project (10 points)
• Timeline: Realistic timeline of the proposed project (10 points)
• Budget: The budget is appropriate, realistic, and justified, and a matching fund is available when the total proposed budget is greater than the ceiling provided by NAPA (10 points)
• Expected impact: Research has the scientific rigor and potential to make an impact or serve as a model for future research initiatives (10 points)
For any additional information, please contact:
Dr. Santosh Dhakal
Chair, RCBC, NAPA
Email:research@napaamericas.org
Dr. Ramjee Ghimire
President, NAPA
Email: napa@napaamericas.org
NAPA-RMG Awarded Grants
Awarded Grants in 2022
Awarded Grants in 2020
Awarded Grants in 2019
Watch final presentation from 2019 awardees:
Have more questions about the application process? This video may answer some of the basic Q&A about RMG. The video is the recording of the RMG-2020 discussion session.
2022 Grant Cycle: Awarded Grants
1. Documentation on Utilization of Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species in Chishankhugadhi Rural Municipality, Okhaldhunga
2. Are Pig Farms in Nepal safe from African Swine Fever?
3. Efficacy of Different Botanical against Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) Infesting Cucumber in Sundarbazar, Lamjung
4. Husbandry practice, gastrointestinal parasite prevalence, welfare, and reproductive status of dairy cattle in Chitwan, Nepal
5. Screening of Nepalese rice landraces for cooking quality and micronutrient availability
6. Quality maintenance of litchi fruit (Litchi chinensis) through post-harvest treatments in Bardibas
7. Effect of different seed priming techniques on germination and seedling vigor of summer maize in Chitwan, Nepal.
8. Assessment of mycelial growth and yield attribute of Milky Mushroom (Clocybe indica) on different agricultural substrates
9. Biotransformation of cellulose by soil bacteria extracted from roots of medicinal plants growing in different regions of Nepal.
10. Evaluation of major agro-meteorological indices of Corn grown with climate change adaptation measures at Janaki rural municipality Kailali, Nepal
11. Comparative study on multi-roles of home gardening: food security, biodiversity conservation, uplifting women's status, and mitigating climate change effect in terai and hills of Nepal
12. Growth analysis of broiler on different feed additives under the effect of blue and green led lights in Tulsipur, Dang
13. Effect of nitrogen management on prevalence of biotic stress in winter maize at Paklihawa campus, Nepal
14. Evaluation of different feed types in the growth and survival of mono-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry in Chitwan, Nepal
2020 Grant Cycle: Awarded Grants
2020-36: In-vitro Evaluation of Chemical Fungicides Against Pestalotia longisetula Causing Fruit and Crown Rot of Strawberry
Awardee: Prashant Bhattarai, Tribhuvan University / Lamjung Campus, IAAS
Local advisor: Ram Kumar Shrestha
NAPA advisor: Megha Parajulee
2020-47: Evaluation of Growth and Yield Parameters of Local Landraces of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas flourescens in Dang valley
Awardee: Shishir Dahal, Tribhuvan University / Campus of Live Sciences, IAAS
Local advisor: Siddalal Bohara
NAPA advisor: Nitya Khanal
2020-6: Effect of seed treatment on germination and seedling health of summer season okra in Chitwan, Nepal using different plant extracts as bio fungicides
Awardee: Anugya Bhattarai, Agriculture and Forestry University / Central Campus, AFU
Local advisor: Ritesh Kumar Yadav
NAPA advisor: Pradeep Wagle
2020-25: Characterization of Nepalese Sweet Potato Landraces (Ipomoea batatas L.) Using Morphological Markers for Food and Feed
Awardee: Nabin Poudel, Agriculture and Forestry University / Central Campus, AFU
Local advisor: Arjun Kumar Shrestha
NAPA advisor: Dilip Panthee
2020-8: Effects of Rhizobium Inoculation Strains on Nodulation and Yield of Rice Beans (Vigna umbellate) Landraces in Rampur, Chitwan
Awardee: Bidya Ojha, Agriculture and Forestry University / Central Campus, AFU
Local advisor: Suman Dhakal
NAPA advisor: Pramod Pokhrel
2020-39: Effect of Phosphorus on Differently Spaced Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) in Rainfed Condition
Awardee: Pritam Thapa, Tribhuvan University / Lamjung Campus, IAAS
Local advisor: Roshan Subedi
NAPA advisor: Buddhi Gyawali
2020-22: Women Participation in Cardamom Production: A Study of Ilam District
Awardee: Mahima Gotame, Tribhuvan University / Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus
Local advisor: Ganesh Bahadur Rawat
NAPA advisor: Purna Kandel
2020-32: Variance Component Analysis Among Amaranthus Genotypes in Mid Hills of Nepal
Awardee: Prabha Adhikari, Tribhuvan University / Lamjung Campus, IAAS
Local advisor: Nav Raj Adhikari
NAPA advisor: Khusi Tiwari
2020-34: Prevalence of Hemo Protozoans in Stray Dogs of Kathmandu District
Awardee: Pramila Subedi, Agriculture and Forestry University / Veterinary Science and Fisheries, AFU
Local advisor: Dr. Arjun Aryal
NAPA advisor: Santosh Dhakal
2020-17: Effect of Rooting Hormones and Media on Vegetative Propagation of Bougainvillea glabra cv. Single Pink Through Hardwood Cutting
Awardee: Jebina Shrestha, Tribhuvan University / Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, IAAS
Local advisor: Nirajan Bhandari
NAPA advisor: Sharad Marahatta
2020-42: Assessment of Mechanization Status of Paddy Production in the Western Nepal
Awardee: Sagar Bhandari, Agriculture and Forestry University / Central Campus, AFU
Local advisor: Pankaj Raj Dhital
NAPA advisor: Aditya Khanal
2020-14: Integrated Nutrient Management in Sesame in Lamahi, Dang
Awardee: Gaurav Thakur, Tribhuvan University / Prithu Technical College
Local advisor: Krishna Aryal
NAPA advisor: Kabindra Adhikari
2020-43: Prevalence of Fish Tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) in Commercial Fish Farms of Chitwan District
Awardee: Sampada Devkota, Agriculture and Forestry University / Central Campus, AFU
Local advisor: Dr. Dilip Kumar Jha
NAPA advisor: Uma Karkee
2020-2: Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Rabies from Three Most Affected Districts of Nepal
Awardee: Alok Dhakal, Tribhuvan University / Paklihawa Campus, IAAS
Local advisor: Dr. Krishna Kaphle
NAPA advisor: Ramjee Ghimire
2020-9: Productivity and Reproductive Performance of Yak and Their Cross Breeds in Lower Mustang of Nepal
Awardee: Bijay Paudel, Agriculture and Forestry University / Veterinary Science and Fisheries, AFU
Local advisor: Gokarna Gautam
NAPA advisor: Sushil Paudyal
2020-51: Community Engagement in Livestock Development: A Study of National Agriculture Development Company (NADC), Salyan, Nepal
Awardee: Susma Thapa, Agriculture and Forestry University / Veterinary Science and Fisheries, AFU
Local advisor: Prem Bhandari
NAPA advisor: Prem Bhandari
2019 Grant Cycle: Awarded Grants
2019-101: Altitudinal Variation Of Orthoptera Species Richness And Diversity In Rice Based Farming System In Western Nepal
Awardee: Madan Subedi
Local advisor: Bhola Gautam
NAPA advisor: Dr. Megha N. Parajulee
2019-102: Study Of Existing Milk Production And Marketing Pattern Of Milk Produced By Dairy Cattle In Chitwan, Nepal
Awardee: Iebu Devkota
Local advisor: Dr. Hom Bahadur Basnet
NAPA advisor: Dr. Uma Karki
2019-103: Effect of Different Weed Management Practices and Seed Priming on Weed Dynamics, and Yield of Dry Direct Seeded Rice.
Awardee: Barsha Sharma
Local advisor: Dr. Bishnu Bilas Adhikari
NAPA advisor: Dr. Sushil Thapa
2019-104: Efficacy Of Different Nitrogen Doses And Rhizobium Inoculation On The Yield And Nodulation Behaviour Of Soybean.
Awardee: Manish Gautam
Local advisor: Suman Dhakal
NAPA advisor: Dr. Rajan Ghimire
2019-105: Antioxidant, alpha-amylase inhibition assay and quantification of major flavonoids daidzein and genistein in soybean and soyfoods found in Nepal
Awardee: Dr. Bishnu Pandey
Local advisor: Not applicable
NAPA advisor: Dr. Buddhi Lamsal
2019-106: Response of Crop Density and Variety on Growth and Productivity of Spring Maize in Dang, Nepal
Awardee: Rupak Karn
Local advisor: Mahesh Regmi
NAPA advisor: Dr. Nitya N. Khanal
2019-107: Effect Of Plant Growth Regulators On Growth, Flowering And Yield Attributes Of Marigold (Tagetes Sp.)
Awardee: Susmita Sigdel
Local advisor: Bishal Shrestha
NAPA advisor: Dr. Shiva Makaju
2019-108: Characterization and Evaluation of Nepalese Colocasia Landraces for Biodiversity Conservation
Awardee: Dharmendra Kalauni
Local advisor: Drs. Madhav Pandey & Arjun K. Shrestha
NAPA advisor: Dr. Ananta Acharya
2019-109: Post Production And Its Feasibility With Marketing Of Ginger In Salyan District
Awardee: Shirsti Updhyaya
Local advisor: Dr. Om Prakash Singh
NAPA advisor: Dr. Lila B. Karki
2019-110: Influence of foliar application of gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid on growth, development, quality, yield, fruit anatomy and seed setting of tomato (var. Srijana) under protected cultivation
Awardee: Ritesh Kumar Jha
Local advisor: Dr. Arjun K Shrestha
NAPA advisor: Dr. Shyam Kandel
2019-111: Management of root knot nematode (meloidogynespp.) in tomato
Awardee: Barsha Bastola
Local advisor: Ganesh Rawat
NAPA advisor: Dr. Mukti Ghimire
2019-112: Varietal Evaluation Of Promising Maize Genotypes In Mid Hills Of Nepal
Awardee: Bipin Neupane
Local advisor: Ankur Poudel
NAPA advisor: Dr. Pradeep Wagle
2019-113: Germplasm Evaluation of Vegetable Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) In dang district
Awardee: Astha Acharya and team
Local advisor: Manoj Basnet
NAPA advisor: Dr. Prem Bhandari
2019-114: Effect of different types of fertilizers on viramin C content of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis) in Dang district
Awardee: Jaya Sharma and team
Local advisor: Manoj Basnet
NAPA advisor: Dr. Prem Bhandari
2019-115: Study on effect of phosphorus on growth and flowering of Marigold
Awardee: Indu Regmi and team
Local advisor: Manoj Basnet
NAPA advisor: Dr. Prem Bhandari