ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Science and Technology Ministry has allocated Rs28 million for a project to provide financial support and opportunities to scientists on the basis of projects submitted by them and approved by an experts committee.

According to a press release issued here on Friday, preference will be given to projects of applied nature in emerging technologies.

Under the project, the financial support will be for both employed and unemployed scientists and technologists. The unemployed scientists will be provided a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 and Rs500,000 will be paid as project research grant over five years.

They will be attached with the relevant university departments or other research and development organizations.

Those who are employed but their organizations are unable to provide them funds for research will be provided the project research grants only.

The scientists will be required to submit their research projects to Pakistan Science Foundation with their applications for registration under the programme.

The applications and project proposals will be invited from candidates through the press.

Priority will be given to projects in those fields which have direct relevance to national social and economic needs and which are expected to yield products and processes of economic importance.