CFPs: Advancing ICT Research and Development in Zimbabwe

This initiative aims to support developmental, solution-driven research that addresses key national challenges and empower students by providing financial and technical support, enabling them to turn research ideas into practical solutions that can be adopted by industry.

Focus Areas

• Research Area 1: Smart Sustainable Cities
  • The scope of research proposals may fall under any of the following sub-themes, including others:
    • Smart public services and utilities
    • Public safety and emergency response
    • Smart network management (telecommunications)
    • Smart parking
• Research Area 2: Cybersecurity & Data Protection
  • The scope of research proposals may fall under any of the following subthemes, including others:
    • Cybersecurity risk assessment and management
    • Machine learning-based intrusion detection
    • Cryptography
    • Biometrics & digital forensics
• Research Area 3: Iot for Telcommunications Infrastructure Resilience
  • The scope of research proposals may fall under any of the following sub-themes, including others:
    • Predictive maintenance solutions for telecommunications infrastructure, including telecommunications towers, switching equipment, cables etc.
    • Solutions to curb theft and vandalism of key telecommunications infrastructure.
• Research Area 4: Ict & Energy
  • The telecommunications sector and the nation at large face the power supply challenges. Furthermore, the exponential increase in computational power due to digitalisation further increases demand on energy grids, globally, as well as raise emissions.
• Research Area 5: Application of Icts for Digital Transformation
  • Research proposals under this theme should focus on the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to solve challenges in key sectors of the economy, including but not limited to:
    • Agriculture
    • Health
    • Education
    • Tourism
• Research Area 6: High-Performance Computing Applications
  • Studies leveraging High Performance Compu ting (HPC) to tackle complex challenges in key areas such as:
    • AI
    • Big Data
    • Climate Modelling
    • Bioinformatics

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a student registered with accredited institutions of higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe, excluding Doctorate level students.
• Projects must align with the themes and demonstrate the potential for impactful outcomes.
• They welcome fresh and innovative research proposals that have not received previous funding.
• They invite applications from researchers embarking on new initiatives, particularly those who are not currently engaged in projects funded by POTRAZ or ZCHPC.
• Applicants must commit to publishing at least one peer-reviewed research article in 2025.

Application Requirements

• Project Title
  • A brief and clear summary describing:
    • Project Objectives (max 150 words): Clearly state the aims.
    • Project Outputs (max 150 words): Describe tangible deliverables.
    • Explain how your research advances the ICT and applications field. Highlight its potential to surpass current benchmarks, its practical applications, and its transformative impact on ICT systems and solutions (Max 500 words).
    • Problem Statement and Scientific Background: Provide context and rationale.
    • Work Plan and Proposed Scientific & Methodological Approach: Detail phases, milestones, and methods.
    • Provide an overview of computing or laboratory resources required.
    • Budget and Resource Requirements.
  • Preliminary List of Expected Publications A supporting letter from the academic supervisor outlining:
    • Academic Potential
    • Personal and Leadership Qualities
    • Supervisor’s Role in Ensuring Research Success
    • Available Faculty and Departmental Resources
    • Institutional Support for Research

For more information, visit ZCHPC.