Investigator Driven Research Grants

Introduction

The NRC provides funds for Scientific Research Projects. Grants are open to any researcher of a Public R & D organization in Sri Lanka.

Public R& D organizations are the National Research Organizations, Universities and Affiliated Colleges and any governmental and semi-governmental organization where a research option exists in the mandate.

The Research Grants are advertised annually, generally at the beginning of the year and are evaluated by the Council. The evaluation criteria will include the scientific aspects, the relevance of the study to national development, its contribution to strengthening the capacity of science and technology in the country, and the possibility of research findings being published in international journals.

For the proposals selected, the Council will decide on an appropriate allocation of funds which will be channelled from the Treasury directly to the Principal Investigator, who will be solely responsible for implementing the project. Funds are considered for equipment, consumables, scientific literature.

The success of a grant is measured by international publications in referred journals, where the publications are judged by the most competent international scientists. This is to ensures that the research carried out is on par with international standards, and also to encourage our scientists to reach such high standards.

Grants Funded

Medical Sciences / Food & Nutrition

Grant No Title
16-001 The Genetic origin (s)  and distribution of the sickle cell gene and the clinical description of the sickle cell disease in Sri Lanka View More
16-023 A population genetic study of 12 X-STR loci in Sri Lankan population and its applicability in forensic and kinship analysis purposes View More
16-024 Dating violence among undergraduates in Western Province: Magnitude, types, associated factors and effectiveness of an intervention in reducing violence View More
16-044 A novel ultrasound technique to detect early chronic kidney disease View More
16-052 A brief intervention for prevention of non-fatal self- poisoning delivered primary care nurses -a randomised controlled trial View More
16-080 Sero- prevalance of anti-varicella IgG and factors associated with immunity in pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinics of De Soyza Maternity Hospital, Sri Lanka View More
16-086 Cost-effectiveness of three approaches to hysterectomy for benign uterine conditions: a multi centre randomized controlled trial View More
16-142 Establishment of insectary facilities for the maintenance of potential leishmaniasis vectors and study on systematics, biology and bionomics of sandflies in Sri Lanka View More
Grant No Title
17-008 Risk assessment of foodborne pathogens in food commodities available in the Sri Lankan market and application of biocontrol measures to ensure food safety View More
17-020 Mutations and polymorphisms of mitochondrial genes  as risk factors for sporadic breast cancer in Sri Lankan patients of Sinhalese ethnicity View More
17-029 Development of an antidiabetic agent from Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt (Cucurbitaceae) for diabetes mellitus View More
17-042 Insight for molecular Anthropology of early people in Sri Lanka: Ancient human mtDNA and Molecular sex analysis of archeological skeletal remains at Udupiyangalge and Alugalge caves View More
17-055 Molecular characterization of carbapenemase producing enterobacteria (CPE) isolated from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Sri Lanka & validation of a rapid CPE detection protocol View More
17-086 The steroid profile of follicular fluid in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment cycles with a standard controlled ovarian stimulation GnRH antagonist regimen and with adjuvant of Letrozole among women with polycystic ovary syndrome and non-PCOS, and its relationship with oocyte number, quality, fertilisation rate and implantation rate. View More
17-098 Detection of genotypes and serotypes of Leptospira isolated from severe leptospirosis patients View More
Grant No Title
18-008 Islandwide study on Scrub Typhus genotypes, their clinical features, Biochemical markers of severity and transmitting vector species View More
18-030 Foetal haemoglobin induction as a treatment for β-thalassaemia View More
18-035 Effectiveness of an intervention to introduce reading skills to school children with features of dyslexia in the Gampaha District in Sri Lanka; a randomized clinical trial View More
18-057 Novel and Innovative Strategies to Control Anopheles stepheles stephensi and other malaria vectors for prevention of reintroducation of malaria in Sri Lanka View More
18-079 Isolation and identification of environmental Burkholderia pseudomallei and comparative analysis of major virulent associated genes from clinical isolates of infected Sri Lankan Melioidosis patients View More
18-080 Developing and validating a speech sound (articulation and phonology) assessment for Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking children aged 3 to 6 years View More
Grant No Title
19-006 Examination of the state of food literacy education and food environment in Sri Lankan secondary schools View More
19-028 Identification and characterization of etiological agents of brugian filariasis in Sri Lanka and their vectors View More
19-030 Genetic analysis for predictive markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related cirrhosis View More
19-050 Comprehensive biochemical and molecular analysis of patients suspected with inherited hemolytic anemia in Sri Lanka and assessment of its contribution to anemia burden in the community View More
19-065 Development of a colourimetric reverse transcription Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay as a cost-effective, novel surveillance tool for differential detection of dengue serotypes in Aedes mosquitoes View More
19-089 Analysis of multidrug resistant Extra intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli clones in humans and animals  in Sri Lanka and determine the potential of developing a vaccine to eliminate the clones View More
19-099 A “One Health” approach: the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans, animals and animal products in southern Sri Lanka View More
Grant No Title
20-066 An attempt to in vitro differentiation of human round spermatids into mature spermatozoa (spermiation) View More
20-073 Investigation and characterization of hantavirus infection in selected Districts and enhancement of hantavirus diagnostic facilities in Sri Lanka. View More
20-078 Clinico-epidemiology, coagulation profile and the phylogenetic positioning of Saw-scaled viper in Northern Sri Lanka. View More
20-083 Canine tick borne infections: reservoirs, tick vectors and zoonotic disease risk of rickettsial infections View More
20-118 PCR-based molecular evaluation of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. View More
20-005 Epidemiology and molecular diagnostics for acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Sri Lanka View More
Grant No Title
22-003 Association of maternal BMI and gestational weight gain with cord blood DNA methylation, adipokine levels, offspring anthropometry, early childhood cardio-metabolic parameters and the effect of lifestyle modification on growth during infancy View More
22-011 A Comparison of the Degree of Platelet Inhibition in Sri Lankan Coronary Artery Disease Patients on Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor View More
22-027 Transcriptome analysis of mycobacteria in serum exosomes of latent tuberculosis patients for candidate biomarker identification. View More
22-031 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and, metabolomic screening with gene expression profiling of body fluids for early detection of Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). View More
22-044 Detection and validation of molecular abnormalities in bone marrow aspiration samples obtained from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome using an “inhouse” developed bone marrow transport medium View More
22-075 "The use of PGE1 in patients with non-revascularizable Chronic limb threatening Ischaemia- randomized study" View More

Agriculture / Plantations / Livestock & Fisheries

Grant No Title
16-016 QTL map based candidate gene discovery for salt tolerance in rice (Oriza sativa) View More
16-025 Studies on thermotolerant acetic acid bacteria from Sri Lanka and production of fermented healthy non-alcoholic beverages View More
16-033 Assesment of behavioural and reproductive responses of coconut mites to coconut varieties and relationship of volatile organic compounds, lipid profiles and phenolic compounds of coconut varieties with their susceptibility levels to coconut mite  View More
16-038 Identification of reliable method for laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis using nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva of PPD positive cattle and buffalo View More
16-054 Investigation on ecological and socio- economic impacts of bamboo (Bambusa bambos L. Voss ) in dry zone forests in Sri Lanka View More
16-071 Characterization and purification of bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria isolated from natural fermented food products View More
16-075 Developing botanical nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrogen fertilizer wastage in vegetable crop cultivation View More
Grant No Title
17-010 Analysis of pesticide residues and evaluation of some beneficial effects along with farmer perception of an eco-friendly crop management package for chilli and tomato in comparison to existing commercial cultivation practices conducted in Sri Lanka View More
17-011 Development of baseline soil information system for soil C and other nutrients for paddy growing soils in Sri Lanka  View More
17-017 Rapid multiplication and Production of Agarwood Fragrant Constituents by Plant Cell and Tissue Culture of Gyrinopsis walla View More
17-038 An automated system to quality control the fermentation stage in black tea manufacturing process View More
17-058 Temporal variation of cyanobacterial community in fertilized and long-term unfertilized tropical rice fields View More
Grant No Title
18-009 Genetic diversity and cultivar development of Dendrobiums integrating classical and molecular biological tools View More
18-012 Investigation of aetiology, disease development and management of  rough bark disease of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) View More
18-084 Identification of drought tolerant coconut mother palms through phenotypic, physiological and gene expression studies View More
18-088 Effect of priming of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plants with some natural or chemical compounds on growth and abiotic stress alleviation under sub-optimal climatic conditions in Ampara District of Sri Lanka  View More
18-091 In-silico mining for resistance gene analogs and identification of genetic resources for blast disease resistance in the local finger millet germplasm  View More
18-094 Extraction, purification and  chemical characterization of inulin-type fructans from three Asparagus species (A. falcatus, A. racemosus, and A. officinalis) grown in Sri Lanka, and their  utilization as potential prebiotic ingredients in dairy products. View More
EWC 18-002 Use of Artemisia vulgaris (L) as an eco-friendly and economically-viable component in integrated management of weeds, insect and mite pests and nuisance pests in tea fields of Sri Lanka View More
EWC 18-003 Microbial metabolites - a source for development of eco-friendly new weedicides View More
EWC 18-004 Development of eco-friendly integrated weed management system for rice farming View More
EWC 18-005 Investigations on eco-friendly cultural , physical and allelopathic weed management strategies for tea cultivation as alternatives for synthetic herbicides View More
Grant No Title
19-052 Enhancing soil fertility in degraded rubber lands by combine use of agro management practices such as inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizer, cover cropping and mulching with organics View More
19-054 Investigation of cultivar dependent dynamics of seed metal ion content and identification of prospective genetic candidates for nutritional quality improvement in Sri Lankan rice germplasm View More
19-061 DNA Barcoding, Morphological Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Syzygium spp. of Family Myrtaceae in Sri Lanka: Implications for Conservation and Sustainable Exploitation View More
19-062 Genetic diversity and relationship among agronomically locally adapted black pepper (Piper nigrum) accessions from selected localities in Sri Lanka and their endophytes, applied to biotic stress tolerance and growth promotion View More
19-072 Determination of the variation of soil carbon dynamics and soil physico-chemical properties in tropical rainforests and tropical montane forests in Sri Lanka across an altitudinal gradient View More
19-076 Development of irradiated multivalent chicken coccidial oocyst vaccine in Sri Lanka in order to minimize drug residues in poultry products View More
19-095 Characterization of proteins from underutilized Sri Lankan seaweeds and application as protein alternatives in bakery foods View More
Grant No Title
20-010 Shift in species composition and diversity of bee pollinators and natural enemies while enhancing crop yield in a highly dynamic agro-natural landscape View More
20-022 Study of some postharvest disorders of guava, mango and avocado and their management View More
20-079 Evaluation of feed efficiency and meat quality parameters of slow growing (label rouge) pasture raised chicken   View More
20-123 Conservation and Utilization of Old Seedling Teas: A Viable Option for Adaptation to Climate Change View More
20-128 Engineering Microbial Ecology in Agroecosystem via Bio-encapsulation of Microbial Communities to Improve Soil Health and Fertility View More
20-115 Effects of environmental fluoride, hardness and heavy metal (Cd, Pb, As) exposures to the cow milk and their kidney function in CKDu endemic areas of Sri Lanka View More
20-079 Evaluation of feed efficiency and meat quality parameters of slow growing (label rouge) pasture raised chicken View More
20-109 Control of stored-product insects using biorational methods View More
20-012 Identification and characterization of major pathogens in grape cultivation and improving the grape production by managing major diseases through ecofriendly control measure View More
20-098 Investigation of crop water usage and soil hydrological dynamics of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) plantations in the low country wet of Sri Lanka View More
Grant No Title
22-062 Assessment of species diversity, anti-phytopathogenic activities of crude extracts and in vitro growth performances of marine macroalgae in Sri Lanka View More
22-104 Identification and characterization of phytotoxic metabolites of actinomycetes; candidates for the development of an eco-friendly tool for sustainable weed management View More
22-131 Design and Implementation of Microenvironment Conditions for Tea and Ornamental Foliage Plants using Precision Agriculture Systems Powered by Solar Photovoltaics View More
22-036 Assess the suitable conditions for sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (sandfish) in northern Sri Lanka. View More

Engineering Technology / IT / Physical Sciences

Grant No Title
22-041 Slope surface stabilization by using polymer modified microbial induced carbonate precipitation method – Ecofriendly and sustainable alternative approach for the conventional cement grouting View More
22-047 Colloidal dispersions of cellulose nanostructures from sustainable raw materials and their applications in packaging industry View More
22-053 Cinnamon essential oil nanocapsules incorporated starch based food packaging with antimicrobial properties. View More
22-060 Development of novel value-added forms of processed cinnamon through automation View More
22-070 Development of a computational model to simulate fate and transport of accidental oil spills for Sri Lankan territorial waters and maritime zone View More
Grant No Title
17-006 Value addition to Sri Lankan natural rubber in the field of Power and Energy  View More
17-018 Design and Development of a Soft Orthotic Device for Lower Limb and Spinal Assistance View More
17-019 Launching a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (GRETEC) View More
17-047 Optimization of Shear Retrofitting of RC beams via Non-linear Numerical Analysis View More
17-060 Adaptation of Mechanistic Pavement Design Guide for Road Designed based on Empirical Design Methods. View More
17-064 Improving effectiveness of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to meet the 21st century challenges View More
17-065 Adaptive Protection of Microgrids Using Graph theory and Optimization algorithms View More
17-066 Ecological rehabilitation of canals in Colombo: a design to harmonize flood control and physical heterogeneity View More
17-069 Intelligent wheelchair robot with human like interactive features for domestic environments View More
Grant No Title
18-005 Copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS)   Photovoltaic – Thermoelectric hybrid system for the fabrication of efficient solar energy conversion devices View More
18-007 Fabrication and analysis of super capacitors with low cost composite hybrid electrodes to meet the future energy challenge View More
18-028 Design, analysis, and optimization of next generation fiber optic national backbone networks View More
18-043 Impact of Increasing Renewable Energy Developments on the Reliability of Power Generating Systems View More
18-044 Development of a Soft Robot Gripper with Inbuilt Sensors for Deformable Object Grasping and Tactile Feedback View More
18-077 Modeling and description of compact astrophysical objects using Einstein’s field equations  View More
Grant No Title
19-019 Development of a model to simulate the sustainability of infrastructure using life cycle approach View More
19-023 Synthesization of novel structural materials, mainly by CVD method, for the fabrication of high performance Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors View More
19-032 Development of new Thermo-Electric (TE) materials for automobile heat recovery applications View More
19-040 Development of a network of subsoil sensors and drones for crop surveilance View More
19-051 Development of an environmentally friendly high efficient low cost Cu2O homojunction solar cell View More
19-060 Conversion of natural and synthetic carbon based polymers to the conductive carbon nanomaterials by photonic, plasma and thermal treatments, and use them in possible electronic applications View More
Grant No Title
20-108 Development of a cooling system to reduce the temperature generation in conventional spice grinding machines through experimental investigation of the temperature distribution inside the grinding chamber of conventional spice grinding machines View More
20-124 Determination of Optimum Characteristics of Feeder Service for a Public Transit Route View More
20-080 Simulation of self-deployable structures made of ultra-thin shells View More
20-031 Optimizing Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerators for the Internet of Things (IOT) View More
20-107 Investigation of the potential of microalgae cultivation in hybrid systems for carotenoids production under Sri Lankan climatic conditions View More
20-055 Development of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) methods for in-situ detection of hazardous pesticides combined with portable technology View More
Grant No Title
22-041 Slope surface stabilization by using polymer modified microbial induced carbonate precipitation method – Ecofriendly and sustainable alternative approach for the conventional cement grouting View More
22-047 Colloidal dispersions of cellulose nanostructures from sustainable raw materials and their applications in packaging industry View More
22-053 Cinnamon essential oil nanocapsules incorporated starch based food packaging with antimicrobial properties. View More
22-060 Development of novel value-added forms of processed cinnamon through automation View More
22-070 Development of a computational model to simulate fate and transport of accidental oil spills for Sri Lankan territorial waters and maritime zone View More

Environment, Chemical Sciences/ Others

Grant No Title
16-029 Impact of linear developments on ecology of wildlife with special reference to roads, railways and power lines in Sri Lanka View More
16-059 Species diversity and the potential vector status of Ornithophilic mosquitoes in Sri Lanka View More
16-072 Optimizing Dendrimer Architecture for Drug Entrapment View More
16-128 Ecotourism in Coastal Wetlands: Meeting the Dual Mandates of Recreation and Conservation View More
16-129 Investigation of the potential of employing indigenous microalgae for third generation biofuel production View More
16-144 Phytoremediation of used lubricating oil contaminated soils by Impatiens balsamina L. and Crotalaria retusa View More
Grant No Title
17-007 Using Nano/micro-capsules for Self-healing Epoxy Composites View More
17-025 Baseline concentrations, solubility and spatial variability of potentially toxic trace elements in soils in Up- and Mid-country Wet zone in Sri Lanka View More
17-027 Taxonomic revisions of jumping spider subfamilies Ballinae and Spartaeinae of Sri Lanka based on morphology and DNA barcodes View More
17-028 Igneous rocks in the Mannar Basin as potential evidence from Sri Lanka for the juxtaposition of the Reunion Hotspot and the impacts of the igneous rocks on the hydrocarbon exploration in the Mannar Basin. View More
17-033 Combined therapeutic drug leads for antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic treatments from the selected combined medicinal plants. View More
17-037 Investigation of Weathering and Erosional Processes in the Catchment of the Ma Oya Tributary of the Mahaweli River View More
17-054 Bioactive metabolites of endophytic fungi from the medicinal plants Coccinia grandis, Costus speciosus and Gymnema sylevestre used in indigenous medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus and possible commercial applications View More
17-072 Evaluation of structural, rheological and mechanical properties of ternary composites of filled Thermoplastics (TP) and Skim Natural Rubber (SNR) blends: a novel route for value addition to skim natural rubber View More
17-074 Molecular phylogeny of marine macro algae (sea weeds) present in Sri Lankan coasts and isolation of anti-cancer compounds to target oral cancers from marine macro algae View More
17-094 Avian feathers as bioindicators of exposure to toxic trace elements and links between trophic position, genetic diversity and reproductive success View More
17-095 Seed storage behaviour of fifty keysone rainforest species from Sri Lanka: Towards Conservation of Biodiversity View More
Grant No Title
18-013 Transdermal drug delivery via smart textiles: Development of new formulations for the controlled release of natural compounds to prevent cancer View More
18-032 Production of Mosquito Repellents using Lesser-Known, Under-Utilized Volatile Oil Producing Plant Species View More
18-050 Cardioprotective effect of three medicinal plants against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats and in neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes View More
18-063 Absorption of selected pesticide residues during cooking by curry leaves available in Sri Lanka and its impact on the carotenoid compositional variation in curry leaves View More
18-066 Understanding exposure levels of volatile organic compounds and fine particulate matter while commuting in Kandy city View More
18-083 Development of a phototrophic-heterotrophic biofilm/mat for the detoxification and removal of Chromium in waste water. View More
Grant No Title
19-005 Supplement effect of Cherukurinja (Gymnema lactiferum) on glycemic control and on selected biochemical and physiological parameters among patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus View More
19-007 Development of Nutritious and healthy food corners for the children / adolescences View More
19-024 Synthetic Biology approaches for the synthesis of strictosidine derived anticancer compounds View More
19-033 Evaluation of potential health enhancing properties of edible flowers available in Sri Lanka View More
19-046 Efficacy and welfare of Aversive Geofencing Devices for managing the movements of Asian elephants View More
19-058 A needs assessment study of young and mid-career academics in Sri Lankan Universities aiming at evidence-based decision making View More
19-064 Fabrication of Intelligent Textile Garment for Diabetes Patients with Features of Blood Glucose Sensing, Monitoring, Data storage and Drug Delivery Systems combined with a mobile app View More
19-075 Bioethanol production from marine algae View More
19-081 Analyzing the phylogenetic relationships of Sri Lankan Agamid Lizards to facilitate their conservation View More
19-090 Synthesis of  modified Zeolite for catalytic converting and  removal of NOx, SOx and CO from the vehicle exhaust View More
19-092 Petrogenesis, geochemistry and potential of economic mineralization of granitic pegmatite in Sri Lanka View More
Grant No Title
20-014 A stable composite based on titanium dioxide and clay as an effective photocatalyst for wastewater treatment View More
20-117 Microplastics Bound Transport and Differential Bioavailability of I Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products (PPCPs) and Toxic Trace Elements in Water View More
20-086 Determination of Descriptor Values for Selected Volatile Constituents in Cinnamon, in order to Determine their Distribution Levels in Environmental Compartments View More
20-085 Household Food Waste Behaviors and Implications for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in Sri Lanka. View More
20-074 Characterization of  a composite flour from Kithul (Caryota urens) and arrowroot (Marantha arundinacea) flour with different modifications to widening its applications in food industry.  View More
20-007 Investigation of the potential use of bryophytes as climate change indicators View More
20-039 Tunable biodegradable polymers and polymeric nanocomposites from locally available renewable sources View More
20-051 Characterization of bioactive pigments of mangrove-associated bacteria and screening for their potential biotechnological applications View More
20-110 Transition metal chalcogenide embedded TiO2 nanocomposites for Hydrogen energy production and environmental remediation under extended solar irradiation View More
20-089 Fine-Tuning Electronic / Semiconductor Properties of an Iso-reticular Metal Organic Framework Series to be Applied in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells View More
20-111 Selected Transition metals and Nitrogen co-doped Titanium dioxide electrode for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells View More
20-104 Development of pH- and esterase-responsive β-cyclodextrin-adamantane inclusion-based biodegradable novel supramolecular network towards the fabrication of hydrogel for the controlled drug delivery View More
20-038 Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Potential of Industrial Effluents and Surface Water of Kelani River using Bioanalytical Tools View More
20-047 Investigation of the detection of bacteria in water and food samples using bioconjugated fluorescent nanoparticles View More
Grant No Title
22-095 Developing ecological tools for monitoring river health using bio-indicators: A case study from Walawe River basin View More
22-101 Cryptogamic epiphytes as indicators of successional changes in tropical lowland rainforests in Sri Lanka View More
22-114 Mechanochemical synthesis of urea cocrystals as a sustained release nitrogen source View More
22-127 Preparation of electrically conductive magnetic toner powders from Sri Lankan graphite and iron ores View More