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Development of RCA Projects
and Assessment Criteria.
Dr John F Easey
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What are the Procedures for theDevelopment of RCA Projects?
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Articles in the RCA Agreement
Relevant to Development of Projects
Article II (2).
The Meeting of Representatives shall have the authority:
(a) to determine a programme of activities and toestablish priorities therefor;
(b) to consider and approve the co-operative projectsproposed in accordance with paragraph 1 of article III;.
Article III (1).
Any Government Party may submit a written proposal fora co-operative project to the Agency, which shall, upon
receipt thereof, notify the other Governments Parties ofsuch proposal. The proposal shall specify, in particular,the nature and objectives of the proposed co-operativeproject and the means of implementing it. At the requestof a Government Party, the Agency may assist in thepreparation of a proposal for a co-operative project.
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Procedures for Project
DevelopmentThe RCA Member States have agreed aset of Guidelines and Operating Rules thatcover the operation of the Agreement,including the procedures for the initiationof Cooperative Projects and CooperativeResearch Projects (CRPs).
The procedure for Project Developmentwill depend on the requirements of thesponsoring agency.
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Cooperative Projects - Purpose
Designed to meet the needs for development andpractical applications of nuclear science and technologyfor peaceful purposes.
Not primarily research projects but may contain aresearch component.
Enable the RCA Member States to acquire well-established nuclear technologies to address socio-economic development problems.
Provide tangible socio-economic benefits to theparticipating Member States (Impact).
Essential to be in areas of development priorities of theparticipating Member States, who should have thephysical infrastructure and human and financialresources to implement the project activities and tosustain the activities after the project is closed following
completion of the delivery of the technical inputs.
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Cooperative Projects Technical Inputs
The inputs shall be in the form of:
regional and national training courses;
meetings for reviewing the progress of theprojects and planning future activities;
services of experts, and consultants;
award of contracts for specific tasks.
Fellowships, Scientific Visits and supply ofequipment are not input components for RCAprojects.
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Coordinated Research Projects - Purpose
Coordinated Research Projects are essentially
networks of national research institutions which
work within an operational framework for
research on a similar and well-defined regional
theme or problem focus that is relevant to, or
can be resolved through, nuclear science and
technology.
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Determining Project Priorities.
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Guidelines & Operating Rules - Priorities
The following criteria are taken into consideration indeciding on the priorities:
the relevance to RCA Vision and Mission
development needs of individual Member States
(identified through consultations with relevantstakeholders) and the expected impact
commitment at national level to maximize sustainability
potential to benefit from the advantages of usingnuclear techniques
potential for regional cooperation potential for improving the utilization of established
regional networks and resources and value addition toprevious inputs to the project area
Millennium Development Goals
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G&OR Further Refined:
Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy(MTS) 2006-11
Key features Strategic Plan:
Vision Mission
RCA Core Values
RCA Governance Strategic Context
Critical Success Factors
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G&OR Further Refined:
Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy(MTS) 2006-11
Key features Strategic Directions:
Ensuring Effective Management of the RCA
Achieving Greater Impact for RCA Projects
Developing Sustainable Capacity to Address
Socioeconomic Needs Enhancing Uptake ofNuclear Technologies and
Increasing Visibility of the RCA
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G&OR Further Refined:
Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy
(MTS) 2006-11
Strategic Context:
Millennium Development Goals
IAEA Medium Term Plan & TC Strategies
Regional priorities and Policies agreed by MSsand new emerging priorities
Development & Income generatingOpportunities
International & National Trends in Nuclear S&T
The need to create, manage, share & exploit our
knowledge more effectively.
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G&OR Further Refined:
Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy
(MTS) 2006-11
Critical Success Factors:
Projects should be needs driven & benefit from regionalcooperation
Projects should be of sufficient size to achieve highimpact and measurable outcomes
High use of regional networks & resources
Build on adequate national resources, infrastructure andexisting programmes
Choose projects where a nuclear technique is high valueadding and technology transfer a major focus
Consistent with MDG and TC Strategy
Ability to attract external funding
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G&OR Further Refined:
Adoption of the RCA Medium Term Strategy
(MTS) 2006-11
Performance Indicators:
More active involvement ofNRs in management of the programme
Achievement of a reduced number but high impact projects aim for
10 projects/year by 2011 Increase use of regional experts & resources in addressing regional
needs aim for 70% by 2011
Increase exchange of information & technologies between RCAMSs need fewer formal TCs
Increased use of electronic networks & enhanced level coordination
within RCA all MSs provide information via RCA website Increase non-IAEA funding for RCA aim to double by 2011
Establish partnerships between RCA and other Organisations atleast 2 by 2011
Increase awareness of the capabilities of RCA in the region recognised by requests to participate in international conference and
donor meetings
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Timing Considerations in theDevelopment of RCA Projects.
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Timing of Key Actions in the Development of
RCA Projects
Activity: Priority areas for the RCA
Programme are decided by theNRs at the NRM
Identification of PLCs for thepriority areas
Drafting of the Concept Papers byPLCCs, in the priority areasidentified by NRs in consultationwith the other stakeholders
Interaction with IAEA on ConceptPapers
Review of Concept papers andassignment of priorities by NRs atthe GCM
Time Frame: NRM held in yearN-2 (for projects
to be implemented commencing inyearN)
At the above NRM
31st of July, yearN-2
July September, yearN-2
September, yearN-2
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Timing of Key Actions in the Development of
RCA Projects
Activity: Submission of the approved
Concept Papers to the IAEA bythe RCA Chair
Screening of the Project Conceptsaccording to TC Criteria and
technical feasibility by IAEA staff
Detailed design of the projectsselected for implementation by thePLCCs in conjunction with IAEATO and in consultation with therelevant RCA Stakeholders.
Review of detailed design by NRsand the NRM
Refinement of the project designsby PLCCs
Time Frame: 31st of September, yearN-2
30th November, yearN-2
December, yearN-2 - February,yearN-1
March / April, yearN-1
April May, yearN-1
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Timing of Key Actions in the Development of
RCA Projects
Activity: Review of project designs,
preparation of budgets, decisionon the projects / project activitiesthat could be supported by TCF.
Final approval of projects by NRs
including discussion of proposedAgency funding
Information on projects approvedby the Board of Governorsconveyed to the Member States
NRs inform the RCA Secretariat ofthe project they wish to participatein along with the contact details ofthe appointed NPCs.
Time Frame: June - August, yearN-1
September, yearN-1
November, yearN-1
31st of December, yearN-1
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Fast Track Procedure for RCARO
DIR-RCARO prepares a Concept Paper according to
the standard RCA format.
Submits this to the Standing Advisory Committee
(SAC) together with a justification for the use of thefast track mechanism.
The Chair SAC consults with the other SAC members
on the suitability of the submission for fast-tracking
and notifies the DIR-RCARO as quickly as possible
and within 1 week of the SACs acceptance orrejection of the use of the fast-track mechanism.
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Fast Track Procedure for RCARO
On acceptance of the use of the fast track option, theDIR-RCARO and the SAC jointly prepare a projectproposal with explanatory text complemented by anynecessary additional materials, and promptlydistribute them to NRs for consideration and comment
by a due date. The NRs will communicate to mutually agree aposition and inform the DIR-RCARO through the SACby the due date.
Should any NRs not respond to the SAC by thisdesignated time, they will be deemed to agree withthe position adopted by the NRs who do respond.
The fast-track decisions will not require formalendorsement at the next NRM following the due date.However the decisions should be appended to theNRM report to ensure full transparency.
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What are the Criteria used toAssess RCA Project Proposals?
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Factors in the Review and
Assessment of Project Concepts Is there a detailed description of the problem or need
that is being addressed?
Are the objectives of the Project clearly stated?
Each Project should have a broad objective and amuch tighter focussed specific objective, which relatesdirectly to the planned outcomes.
Most Projects should have no more that two specificobjectives. More usually implies that there is really
more than one Project being attempted. There should be a clear linkage between the Specific
Objective(s) and the problem/need to be addressed.
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Factors in the Review and Assessment of
Project Concepts (cont.)
Technology transfer should be the major focus of theproject
Does the proposal duplicate efforts being undertaken
using other mechanisms (national projects, non-RCAprojects and other cooperative agreements) or duplicateprevious RCA Projects?
Is it an extension of a previously implemented RCA? Ifso what is the new dimension and is it important?
Is the Project of sufficient size to achieve high impact? Does the Proposal have to have defined and measurable
outcomes?
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Factors in the Review and Assessment of
Project Concepts (cont.)
What is the nuclear technique being proposed
and does it have demonstrated advantages over
conventional methods ? What makes the concept a good proposal for an
RCA regional project?
Why is it important as an RCA regional project?
What is the potential for TCDC?
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Factors in the Review and Assessment of
Project Concepts (cont.)
Indicators of Regional Interest, Priorities and
Capabilities:
How many RCA Member States have identified
the concept area as a priority in their CPFs?
How many RCA Member States have national
projects in the proposed area?
Which RCA Member States have theinfrastructure and other resources necessary for
implementation of the project?
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Factors in the Review and Assessment of
Project Concepts (cont.)
Is the Concept Feasible?
Can the problem/need be adequately addressedthrough the proposed project?
Is the time scale realistic?
Is funding requirement realistic?
Is the nomination of participating countriesappropriate?
Is there sufficient technological capability andcapacity in the MSs and support from theNational Authorities to make the achievement ofsustainability realistic within a reasonable timeframe?
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Some Key Rejection Points
The concept does not meet TC Strategy or MDG or MTScriteria.
No essential nuclear component.
Not needs driven.
Inadequate applicability to RCA MSs stated prioritiesand needs.
Duplicates projects carried out previously or beingcarried out under other mechanisms and arrangements.
Unrealistic outputs/outcomes coming from the proposed
inputs. No major regional cooperation driver.
Low probability of achieving sustainability.
No general commitment at a national level.
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What Key Factors need to be
Considered in the Developmentof the Concept into a Project?
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Further Enhancements in Project
Design Introduced in the 2009-2011
cycle
Improvement of Progress Monitoring
Ensuring all MSs appoint National Teams and
adopt Work Plans
Ensuring nominees for regional events are
members of the project teams
Ensuring availability of national resources forproject implementation
Ensuring sustainability of project outputs and
outcomes
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Factors Enhancing Project
Sustainability
identify and transfer nuclear technologies, which arevalue-adding and address ongoing needs
develop relevant technical expertise in nuclearinstitutions to increase self reliance
provide support for effective regulatory control andsafe and secure use of radioactive materials
introduce mechanisms that provide for continuingexchanges and support to nuclear institutionsfollowing closure of specific projects as part of theproject design
enhance the ability of nuclear institutions to accessfunding from end users
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Adopted Recommendation WG on
Implementation of MTS:
.all projects designs for projects
being implemented in the RCAprogramme for 2007 and beyond
have milestones and performance
indicators.
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THANK YOU!
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