The IFS Programme aims to support excellent individual and
collaborative research, to build capability of early-career scientists
in the developing world, and to contribute innovation to the sustainable
management of biological and water resources. In particular, to enable
young scientists to contribute to a global research community that is
aiming to reduce poverty and supporting sustainable development.
The primary focus remains the promotion of excellent science through
early-career research grants and capability enhancing support to
individual researchers in developing countries. The IFS Strategy 2011-2020
describes the goals and strategies of the organisation for the current
decade and presents the new IFS Programme divided into three parts:
Individual Research Approach
This is similar to the former IFS granting programme with some revisions to eligibility criteria. Individual early-career researchers in eligible countries may apply for research grants to undertake research projects on any aspects of the sustainable management of biological and water resources.
Collaborative Research Approach
IFS recognizes that the interlinked development challenges facing humanity increasingly require scientists to work with each other, as well as with other professions and specialists. Support will therefore be provided for collaborative research teams – including interdisciplinary teams, which combine researchers’ strengths, expertise, and experience, to address a larger topic or a research issue where more than one discipline is required.
Before IFS provide this opportunity more widely, the Collaborative Research Approach is being first piloted in collaboration with the Carnegie Corporation in selected countries of East, southern and West Africa, amongst groups of early-career scientists with a specific research interest in Biodiversity (the 2nd session of the pilot in 2014) and (for the 1st session 2012-13) Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS). IFS will test how we can best support collaborative research, monitor and evaluate carefully our pilot efforts, and following our learning from this pilot we aim to open this granting option to other IFS applicants in wider disciplines.
Contributing Innovation Approach
Building on feedback received from stakeholders, a change to the IFS Programme agenda is, not only to aspire to strengthen the capability of those embarking on a research career in the developing world, but also to help scientists to find support for the actions they undertake to bring about change, in terms of their values and objectives. In other words, to promote links to those who can support the individual agency of men and women scientists, early in their career in developing countries, to put their science into use.
In 2013 IFS launched a third approach within its ten-year strategy, entitled ‘Contributing Innovation’. While approaches 1 and 2 of the strategy focus on supporting individual and collaborative research and enhancing the capability of scientists from countries with poor scientific infrastructure, the newly launched approach 3 is all about putting research into use. Under approach 3 IFS facilitates and advises grantees upon the implementation of the outputs from their research projects. It is also about equipping young scientists to meaningfully communicate with relevant and key stakeholders. Approach 3 is not a granting programme and it is not envisaged that IFS would have any ‘hands-on’involvement in putting research results into use.
This is similar to the former IFS granting programme with some revisions to eligibility criteria. Individual early-career researchers in eligible countries may apply for research grants to undertake research projects on any aspects of the sustainable management of biological and water resources.
Collaborative Research Approach
IFS recognizes that the interlinked development challenges facing humanity increasingly require scientists to work with each other, as well as with other professions and specialists. Support will therefore be provided for collaborative research teams – including interdisciplinary teams, which combine researchers’ strengths, expertise, and experience, to address a larger topic or a research issue where more than one discipline is required.
Before IFS provide this opportunity more widely, the Collaborative Research Approach is being first piloted in collaboration with the Carnegie Corporation in selected countries of East, southern and West Africa, amongst groups of early-career scientists with a specific research interest in Biodiversity (the 2nd session of the pilot in 2014) and (for the 1st session 2012-13) Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS). IFS will test how we can best support collaborative research, monitor and evaluate carefully our pilot efforts, and following our learning from this pilot we aim to open this granting option to other IFS applicants in wider disciplines.
Contributing Innovation Approach
Building on feedback received from stakeholders, a change to the IFS Programme agenda is, not only to aspire to strengthen the capability of those embarking on a research career in the developing world, but also to help scientists to find support for the actions they undertake to bring about change, in terms of their values and objectives. In other words, to promote links to those who can support the individual agency of men and women scientists, early in their career in developing countries, to put their science into use.
In 2013 IFS launched a third approach within its ten-year strategy, entitled ‘Contributing Innovation’. While approaches 1 and 2 of the strategy focus on supporting individual and collaborative research and enhancing the capability of scientists from countries with poor scientific infrastructure, the newly launched approach 3 is all about putting research into use. Under approach 3 IFS facilitates and advises grantees upon the implementation of the outputs from their research projects. It is also about equipping young scientists to meaningfully communicate with relevant and key stakeholders. Approach 3 is not a granting programme and it is not envisaged that IFS would have any ‘hands-on’involvement in putting research results into use.
Moreinfo: http://www.ifs.se/ifs-programme
