Grooming Centre Nigeria, a microfinance institution, has opened its application portal for this year’s university research grant scheme for students in both public and private-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.

Launched in 2019 as a corporate social intervention effort on education with just 25 beneficiaries, the number of beneficiaries has steadily increased and now has risen to a total of 393 at the HND, undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree levels in five years.

At a news conference to announce the commencement of submission of applications for this year’s edition in Lagos, the Head of Project, Grooming Centre Nigeria, Mr Egulefu Chikezie, declared that the annual non-refundable grant aims are to encourage and boost evidence-based research activities and knowledge among tertiary school students in critical economic areas that include social enterprise, microfinance, inclusive finance, rural development, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women in development and other areas aimed at lifting people out of poverty.

The research proposals must be relevant to the Nigerian context, demonstrate practical innovation, and promote the specified areas of interest, he added.

Egulefu said the bank believes that so many university students in the country would want to carry out research works on problems-solved issues that are impactful to the economy but have no money, hence the purpose of the research grants to support them.

He noted that 150 students comprising 100 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates are expected to benefit from the 2024 grants, urging students to start submitting their proposals before September 21st.

Giving insights into the modalities, chairman of the Technical Committee of the scheme, Mr Alex Ajibo, emphasised the need for originality and data inclusiveness in the research.

Eligible applicants must be students at NUC/NBTE-approved Nigerian universities or polytechnics and submit a written recommendation from their project supervisor. Proposals should be eight to 25 pages, including an introduction, literature review, research methodology, and the candidate’s personal profile.