Organizing Questions
- Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding?
- What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
- Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
- Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
- How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policy-making/advocacy process, if at all?
- When are science funding/policy decisions made?
- What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
1. Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding?
- National government
- Local/regional governments
- University/campus of medical school in Nepal
- Private foundations
- Some eye institutes
- Industry/pharmaceutical companies
- Sometimes pharmaceutical companies
- Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and charities
2. What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
The board of trustees of the specific funding agency decides after ethical approval of the study.
- Which group/committee/person within the funding/policy organization makes the decisions?
As an apex body of higher education, UGC is responsible for implementing national policies and priorities in higher education to allocate funding and promote research by devising and implementing policies. It also monitors various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) activities in Nepal.
The government of Nepal has approved a new National Education Policy-2019. It is implementing the 15th National Development Plan developed by the National Planning Commission. The Plan has identified ten priority areas for research and development. These areas include energy, transportation, tourism, forest, health, environment, agriculture, urban development, foreign employment and social development.
UGC takes the National Education Policy-2019 and the 15th National Development Plan as the basis for research funding in higher education.
Specific responsibilities of the institutional system can be found in the Research Development and Innovation Programs Implementation Guidelines, 2021.
3. Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) patient advocacy groups.
4. Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
- NAST
- UGC
- Universities funding
- International non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
- Foreign universities like Johns Hopkins University
5. How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policy-making/advocacy process, if at all?
By giving suggestions and advocating if they are on the board.
6. When are science funding/policy decisions made?
By the government and UGC during the fiscal year (July for a period of 1 year – July to August). Also, before the fiscal year starts.
Learn more by reading the Guiding Principles of Research Funding.
7. What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
- Can scientists invite decision-makers to their lab/institution to see their work firsthand?
Yes.
- Do the funding/policy organizations hold open meetings or solicit comments from the public that researchers can participate in?
Yes, a member from an outside or social group is nominated in the Institutional Review Committee, including a lawyer. Some research advisory groups are formed and they contribute to the protocol.
Contributors
Meenu Chaudhary, MD, B.P. Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University
Sailesh Mishra, PhD, MBA, Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh