The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy says it has budgeted N12 billion to support research in the digital economy in universities and research institutions. Isime Esene, the special adviser on media and communications to the minister, said this in a statement on Monday.

Esene said the government would, thus, host a three-day virtual open day to guide universities and research institutions on the National Digital Economy Research Clusters initiative.

He said that the event, organised through the Project BRIDGE Implementation Unit in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, would commence virtually today. Esene said the initiative would support eligible institutions in better understanding and applying for the programme following the release of the Request for Expressions of Interest.

According to him, the sessions will provide clarity on the initiative’s objectives, structure and application requirements. “All sessions will cover the same content to allow participants to attend at their convenience. The programme, valued at N12 billion, was designed to mobilise university-led research consortia to deliver policyrelevant research across six priority areas,” Esene said.