Becas de investigación para jóvenes investigadores

Vie, 31/12/2004

You are invited to apply for a research grant:
The International Foundation for Science (IFS) and the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water & Food are pleased to issue a call for research proposals open to young scientists.

Who can apply?
The purpose of the grants is to provide opportunities for young researchers to contribute to the generation of scientific knowledge relevant for achieving food security and poverty alleviation as expressed in the formulation of the Challenge Program on Water & Food.

Applicants should be at the beginning of their research career, have a minimum academic degree of an MSc/MA or the equivalent, and preferably be younger than 40.

Researchers from natural science and social science disciplines are welcome to apply.

Applicants must be associated with a national university, a research institute or a research-oriented NGO.

The research should be conducted at the home institution of the grantee and be relevant to the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water & Food.

Priority will be given to good applications from researchers based at institutions in countries adjacent to selected river basins which are part of the Challenge Program. These river basins are as follows:
• Andean system of basins
• Indo Gangetic basin
• Limpopo basin
• Mekong basin
• Nile basin
• Volta basin
• Yellow River Basin
• Karkheh
• Sao Francisco

What kind of research is eligible?
Research themes should focus on at least one of five Theme Areas:
• Crop Water Productivity Improvement
• Water and People in Catchments
• Aquatic Ecosystems and Fisheries
• Integrated Basin Water Management Systems
• The Global and National Food and Water System

Examples of research within these themes are described on the CPWF website: www.waterforfood.org. where summaries of approved research projects are provided. Attention should also be paid to the CPWF’s research priorities, which are also outlined on the same website. Applicants can develop proposals that compliment funded CPWF projects, or else seek to address a specific CPWF research priority area.

It is important that applications should contribute towards other, on-going, initiatives under the CPWF. Applicants should endeavour to structure their applications to contribute to on-going research and project work in the CP basins. Assistance and guidance in these regards may be obtained from basin coordinators, theme leaders and/or project leaders whose contact details are available on the CPWF website.

What does the grant include?
Research grants are awarded up to a maximum value of USD 12,000 for a period of one to three years. The grants, which can be renewed twice, are intended for the purchase of scientific equipment, expendable supplies and literature, to arrange field activities, etc. The grant does not include a salary. Grantees are supposed to be salaried by, or have a stipend from, the university where the research project will be conducted.

The grant will also include mentorship and guidance on theme, basin and project from theme leaders, basin coordinators and project leaders. Applicants will be able to identify from whom they wish to receive mentoring following consultation with the individual(s) concerned.

How do I apply?
Applications are made on a standard IFS application form, in English or French, which is available from the IFS Secretariat. The application form can be downloaded from the IFS website www.ifs.se. Alternatively, send an e-mail to applications@ifs.se and ask for an application form. In your covering e-mail, you should mention that your application refers to the 'IFS-CPWF joint initiative’.

When is the deadline?
Applications for this first round of research grants must be received by IFS no later than 31 December 2004.

When will I receive the grant?
All applicants will be informed about the outcome of their applications by June 2005.

About the sponsors
The International Foundation for Science (IFS) provides support to young researchers in developing countries by awarding research grants and providing grantees with additional services such as travel grants and purchasing assistance.

The CGIAR Challenge Program on Water & Food is an ambitious research, extension and capacity building program that aims to significantly increase the productivity of water used for agriculture. The research programme of the CPWF is spread over five key theme areas and nine river basins distributed across the world. Following its first call, 50 research projects were approved, half of which have received funding. In addition, synthesis research is being carried out by theme leaders and basin coordinators aimed at assimilating basin and theme-relevant data and information with a view to providing a comprehensive understanding of the issues confronting water use and food production in the developing world.

More information
For further information about IFS and its research grants programme you are referred to the website at www.ifs.se

For more information about the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water & Food you are referred to the website www.waterforfood.org