The federal government has approved N4.736 billion for the award of 219 research grants to successful participants under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) programme for the 2021 grant cycle.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Public Affairs of the fund, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Oniyangi said the approval followed the report of the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) which recommended the funding of the 219 research proposals.

He said this was after a rigorous screening exercise which commenced with the receipt of 4,810 Concept Notes from prospective applicants in November 2021.

“A breakdown of the approval indicates that the sum of N3,066,156,844.61 was approved for the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group.

“N806,381,998 for Humanities and Social Science (HSS) while Cross Cutting (CC) received N864,242,509.60, with individual grants ranging from N4.5 million to over N41 million.

“Some of the approved research works tailored towards enhancing national development include Molecular epidemiology of recurrent cholera outbreaks in Nigeria and pre-clinical evaluation of indigenous medicinal plants for its management.

“Effective High Throughput Phenotyping and Artificial Pollination for Improved Yield in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) with Autonomous Drone and Investigating Nigerian medicinal plants as sources of lead compounds for development of chemotherapeutic interventions for uterine fibroid and Production of Cartridge made from Hydrochar for the Treatment of Textile and Tannery Wastewater in Nigeria.

“Emerging Technology for Sustainable Water Purification using Biomass Waste; all under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group,” he said.

He added that the projects under Cross Cutting thematic group included design and fabrication of efficient solar energy storage systems for electricity generation to rural communities.

He said it also included the adaptation of conventional septic tanks to biodigester for sustainable energy generation and viable economy for households use in Nigeria and development of polymer-soilcrete blocks and pozzolanic cement concrete for integrated and sustainable mass housing in Nigeria, amongst others.

“Approved under Social Science are development and evaluation of phytoestrogenic transdermal nanogel for the management of menopausal symptoms and associated diseases.

“Fabrication and characterisation of new glass series from Rice Husk and Bismuth-Tin Ores for application in radiation shielding and green pathway for barite production towards decarbonisation of mining Sector in Nigeria, amongst others.

“The National Research Fund (NRF) grant was introduced to encourage cutting-edge research which explore research areas relevant to societal needs of Nigeria such as power and energy, health, security, agriculture, employment and wealth creation e.t.c,” he said.

(NAN)