Business updates

This Special Call for Proposals has been launched to encourage entrepreneurs, academics, researchers, enterprises and start-ups implement short and medium term projects that aim at improving and accelerating the Government’s response to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and eventually contribute to counter the impacts and planning beyond of this deadly pandemic.

Support under this Special Call is being targeted simultaneously on two fronts, namely:

I. Technology-based products and services: eg development of products, materials, innovative technologies (including software and apps) and manufacturing/production processes, practical demonstrations, equipment prototypes or the development of a scaling process for the transition from experimental production to large production; and

II. Social and policy measures: eg, analysing and improving logistics of the response to the outbreak; strategies to improve public awareness, knowledge and trust; new approaches to minimise misinformation, stigma and fear; cultural dimensions of the epidemic; evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of social policies to contain the outbreak (school closures, lockdown, supply shortages, travel restrictions, etc) and identifying improvements or new policies; social dynamics of transmission and vulnerability and how to improve communication of risks, uncertainties and implications as well as the psychological impacts during and after the lockdown.

Funding

Successful applicants may be awarded a grant of up to MUR 2 Million.

Expression of Interest

• Potential Applicants may discuss their ideas with the MRIC staff prior to submission of their application. Staff may be contacted on scp.covid19@mric.mu.
• Applications have to be submitted to the MRIC using the application form and in line with the Guidelines found below.
• All information disclosed will be dealt with in strict confidentiality.

Deadline

The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday 17th April 2020 at 14hrs.

All applications should be forwarded to scp.covid19@mric.mu with the subject “Application Form – SCP COVID19”.

Useful Documents:

1. SCP – Guidelines
2. SCP – Application Form
3. SCP – Guide on Allowable/Non-Allowable Expenses