GeneralIFSpresentati on Stockholm

Support for Young Researchers in Developing Countries: 

Support for Young Researchers in Developing Countries www.ifs.se

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International research council Founded in 1972 Secretariat in Stockholm, Sweden International Board of Trustees Over 5,500 grants in more than 100 developing countries Over 1,000 scientific advisers Over 130 affiliated organisations including scientific academies

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Mission Statement IFS shall contribute towards strengthening the capacity of developing countries to conduct relevant and high quality research on the sustainable management of biological resources.

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Strategy Identify, through competitive grants and careful screening, young promising researchers; Support them in their early careers to enable them to get established and recognised as researchers; Support them in their home institutions.

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The IFS Research Grant Maximum grant amount is USD 12,000 Research project has a 1-3 year duration Grantees are eligible to apply for two grant renewals Grant can be used to purchase equipment, supplies, literature, local travel, extra manpower and arrange field activities. Grants may not be used for salaries or honorariums

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Eligible Research Researchers working in natural science or social science disciplines are welcome to apply. Research proposals should focus on ‘the biological and water resource base,‘ and may address a wide range of topics including agriculture, animals, soils, forestry, biodiversity, natural products, food, aquatic and marine resources, and water resources.

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Applicant Eligibility Criteria Citizen of a developing country Less than 40 years of age At the beginning of a research career At least a Masters degree or equivalent research experience Attached to a national university, research institution, or NGO in a developing country Carrying out a research project in a developing country

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Evaluation Criteria Applicant's training and experience Available and requested resources Realistic goals and time plan Well-formulated hypothesis/research question up-to-date knowledge of the field Sound experimental design/ research methods Relevant to local and regional priorities and needs Likely to produce new knowledge

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Evaluation Process Over 1000 applications received each year Prescreening at the IFS Secretariat Evaluation by IFS Advisers and other experts and specialists. Recommendation made by a Scientific Advisory Committee The IFS Director approves funding for recommended applications (approx 250 in 2004)

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Grants by Country and Region 1,734 [31%] Correct to May 2005 Latin America & Caribbean

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Titles of recent IFS supported research projects An economic evaluation of the effects of HIV/Aids on agricultural production and potential adoption of agroforestry improved fallows in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe Adaptive governance: Coping with macro-institutional changes in forestry (Uganda) Documentation of ethnic food resources and evaluation of nutritional content of wild animal food resources and their role in primary health care of Nishi tribe, India Community-based resource control: a pathway to sustainable livelihoods in shrimp farming areas? (Thailand) Reinventing agro-ecological self-reliance in traditional farming systems in Costa Chica, Guerrero, Mexico

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The IFS research areas

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GRANTEE Research Grant Scientific Contacts: Travel Grants Workshops Training Courses Networking Recognition: IFS Awards: IFS/Danida, IFS Jubilee & Sven Brohult Awards Invitation to become IFS Scientific Adviser

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Thank you for your attention! International Foundation for Science Karlavägen 108, 5th floor SE-115 26 Stockholm Sweden web: www.ifs.se fax: +46 8 545 818 01