Standardized Templates

"Fast Track" for Submitting an MTP Initiative

he Manufacturing Technology Platform program was developed as a result of input from our researchers. They told us that they needed a flexible, efficient, and rapid form of bringing researchers together around topics relelvant to current and future industrial challenges. In conjunction with developing the new thematic areas for research, we developed the program to greatly improve facilitation of consortium formation.

An IMS MTP initiative addresses joint R&D work by large and small companies, universities and research organizations. The subject of the research should meet IMS objectives to advance manufacturing science, should have industrial relevance as well as scientific and technical merit, and may be conducted in the research areas defined by the five IMS MTP thematic areas. The IMS project should add economic and socio-economic value and contribute to the quality of life.

 

Establishing an MTP

It's easy to establish a MTP initiative. If you have an idea, you may write a proposal to be published on our web site, to circulate through our network, and to present and promote at any IMS-sponsored workshop.For the proposal to move forward as an approved MTP initiative, the following requirements must be met.

- To promote international cooperation, three or more IMS Regions are required to establish an IMS project.

  • Participation of industry is mandatory.
  • A list of goals and objectives in the context of one of the five platforms together with an associated plan of activities.
  • A minimum resource level of USD 1 million per IMS project (MTP initiative) is recommended.  Resources are brought in by each participant through (government) funds or in-kind and shall cover costs for travel, research activities, information dissemination, management, facility and equipment use, or other.
  • The minimum duration of an initiative is 12 months.
  • Initiative partners are expected to meet a minimum of 2 times per year. Meetings could be held in conjunction with IMS ISC meetings.
  • A public version of the final project report is submitted to IMS.

 

"Fast Track" Submission Requirements

These requirements should be met to complete the MTP initiative for submission.

  • Title (and acronym) of the initiative
  • MTP Platform under which the project is proposed
  • Executive summary
  • Goals and objectives
  • Key activities and scope of work
  • Timeline and estimated man-months
  • List of partners per region, contact information, and type (industry, academia, research institutions
  • Budget, funding source

 

IMS Approval Process

The approval process is simple. If you follow these steps, your MTP Initiative is "approved".

- Submit a proposal that satisfies all of the above MTP requirements.

- Projects that meet MTP requirements shall be submitted as a two-page outline to include the above submission requirements. NB: A "leader/promotor" should be identified as the primary contact. The Leader/Promoter generally makes the submission and is the "gardener" of the process and group.

- Submit the IMS Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with signatures from all partners and IMS Regional Secretariats.

- Forward the above documentation (electronically) to the Inter-Regional Secretariat.