Call for Proposals CGIAR-Canada Linkage Fund 2009–2010

1. Background
2. CGIAR-Canada Linkage Fund purpose and objectives
3. CCLF grants for FY 2009-2010
4. Proposal requirements 5. Selection and administration
6. Lessons learned from prior proposal calls

1. Background

The CGIAR-Canada Linkage Fund (CCLF) is a competitive grants facility, established in 1995 by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to strengthen collaboration between the international agricultural research centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and researchers at Canadian universities and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The CGIAR is a network of 15 agricultural research centres dedicated to achieving sustainable natural resource management, improving food security, and reducing poverty for poor producers and consumers in developing countries. Canada was a founding member of the CGIAR in 1971 and continues to be a major donor and active participant in the CGIAR system. Partnership and cooperation among CGIAR centres, national agricultural research systems of developing countries (NARS), and advanced science and research institutions in industrialized countries are important in the CGIAR research system.

For information on the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund, which is a fund separate from the CCLF, please contact Frank Schneider at CIDA.

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2. CGIAR-Canada Linkage Fund purpose and objectives

The purpose of this fund is to increase the contribution of Canadian research organizations towards solving global problems of poverty, food and nutrition insecurity, and sustainable natural resource management through innovative, collaborative relationships with CGIAR centres. By fostering new working partnerships, the objectivesof the CCLF are to:

(1) help CGIAR centres to access innovative techniques and specialized expertise from advanced research institutions in Canada;

(2) allow Canadian partners to gain experience and insights into the food and agriculture issues of developing countries and regions; and

(3) increase the knowledge of the capabilities and strengths of all partners, laying a foundation for longer-term working relationships beyond the CCLF relationship.

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3. CCLF grants for FY 2009-2010

For FY 2009-2010, two new grants of up to C$225,000 each are available, disbursed on a three-year schedule of up to C$75,000 per year. The first disbursement will be made in March 2010 for winning proposals.

Projects should be designed to produce identifiable results within three years, with maximum CCLF support of C$75,000 per year (C$225,000 total funding for three years). Renewal of the same project and partners from prior CCLF grants will not be considered. Cooperating organizations are encouraged to augment CCLF support with their own or other resources, where relevant.

CCLF proposals must contribute to the above three objectives (section 2). The proposed research should clearly relate to the current medium-term plan (MTP) of the relevant CGIAR centre and to the system research priorities as set out by the CGIAR Science Council in its September 2005 document CGIAR System Research Priorities 2005 - 2015.

While all proposed work is expected to complement the ongoing research program, as noted above, preference will be given in the rating of proposals to those proposing innovative  work, such as a new or under-researched topic, a novel research approach or methods, or a non-traditional institutional relationship.

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4. Proposal requirements

4.1 Eligibility

Proposals must be developed jointly by the collaborating institutions and be submitted by one of the eligible CGIAR centres. Centres that currently have an active CCLF grant are not eligible to apply this round; centres that have requested no-cost extensions past the original end date are also not eligible until the grant has been concluded ¹. Only one proposal will be accepted from each eligible centre. All Canadian universities and AAFC research departments are eligible to partner with a CGIAR centre- even those with active CCLF grants. It should be noted, however, that an objective of the CCLF is to broaden relationships among Canadian institutions and CGIAR centres as much as possible, so a strong preference will be given to supporting new working relationships in the evaluation process. In cases where the CCLF grant is aimed at strengthening an existing relationship, the value-added of CCLF support must be clearly explained in the proposal.

Each Canadian organization can have a maximum of two active grants at any one time. In the event that more than one proposal is received from the same Canadian organization (e.g. from different departments of a university or AAFC), all will be reviewed; however, only one can be awarded a CCLF grant in a given year.

CGIAR scientists wishing to establish contact with appropriate Canadian university research groups are encouraged to consult the website of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada which has links to all Canadian universities. Those wishing to establish contact with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) are asked to contact Brad Fraleigh, Director, Intergovernmental Relations, International Scientific Cooperation Bureau.

In terms of the Canadian-CGIAR relationship, all proposals must include and clearly describe one or more of the following:

• Joint Canadian institution/CGIAR system research involving post-graduate or post-doctoral research at a CGIAR centre by students from an eligible Canadian research organization. Candidates must be Canadiancitizens or hold permanent resident status in Canada;
  
  
• CGIAR scientists visiting a Canadian research facility to carry out CGIAR research;
  
  
• Joint university/CGIAR appointments to time-share a staff member;
  
  
• Canadian faculty members working at a CGIAR centre supported by sabbatical leave;
  
  
• Development of a major collaborative program involving Canadian partners (seed money); or
  
  
• Other arrangements that clearly show how the partnership directly contributes to CCLF objectives through a new working relationship.

Please note: CCLF grant recipients are expected to be able to demonstrate a strong joint working relationship; it is not sufficient to simply divide tasks between the collaborating Canadian and CGIAR centre. The proposal needs to clearly describe who will be involved, where, and with what intensity. It is also important to clearly describe active partnerships with other organizations, such as NARS, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders who will be engaged in the research.

4.2 Contents

All proposals must explicitly include and explain:

A. Contribution to CIDA and CGIAR Objectives

• Clear linkages to the purpose and objectives of the CCLF (see section 2) and expected results;
  
  
• References to the contribution to CGIAR strategic research priorities and centre MTPs (brief);
  
  
• How the research project will address gender equality, with explicit descriptions of specific methods to be employed, such as gender analysis and data disaggregation. As for all end-users, the proposal should be explicit about (1) how women/men have participated in identifying the researchable problem, (2) how women/men will participate in the research or be involved in evaluating research, and (3) how the research will be applied, adapted or disseminated/communicated to women/men. Finally, the proposal needs to indicate how the proposed research might impact women and men.
  
  
• How the project will address environmental issues, for example, research on measures to adapt to the effects of climate change, contributions to rehabilitative technologies or conservation, whether the research is subject to environmental regulations or an environmental assessment, or how environmental effects will be supported by policy and institutional factors.

Please note: CIDA requires that all research-including highly scientific, "upstream" research-include gender and environmental dimensions from development to application. Research proposals should clearly describe these effects, either positive or negative.

B. Institutional Linkages

• Who was involved in the proposal preparation, what are the expected contributions of each organization and the degree of integration of work performed by each partner; this section should clearly describe all of the partners in the process, including end-users, national agricultural research partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
  
  
• Who will be involved in carrying out and/or evaluating the research, including the role of end-users, national agricultural research partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
  
  
• For all research, especially strategic "upstream" research, how will the research link to other parts of the CGIAR centre or partner organizations to ensure that applied or adaptive work takes place and/or to disseminate/communicate results to end-users. This is to ensure that the research has development applications.
  
  
• How the project will broaden the research and development capacities of each partner organization, including those of participating national agricultural research systems or other stakeholder groups; all capacity development objectives should be clearly described and what measures will be taken to assess the effectiveness of these efforts.
  
  
• Whether this project is a) a new partnership or b) complements an existing inter-institutional relationship; if longer-term collaboration is envisaged from this research relationship, this should be clearly described,
  
  
• How each partner will publicize/disseminate results to Canadian and other audiences.

C. Research Organization and Content

• The research problem, its development context, and the scientific work proposed; the scientific context of the proposed research, with explicit linkages to other relevant research being conducted by the Canadian and CGIAR organizations and by the larger research community; and the innovative aspects of the proposed research: for example, a new or under-researched topic, a novel research approach or method, or a non-traditional institutional relationship. Please note that preference will be given to innovative research.
  
  
• The objectives and expected results, relating to a logical framework (see Appendix 1); the activities and outputs must be clearly explained and achievable with the available time and resources.
  
  
• The link between the expected results (outputs/outcomes) and the needs and interests of defined user groups or stakeholders; how stakeholders were involved in defining the research problem; and how research results will be measured, communicated and/or disseminated. In the case of upstream research, links to more applied research should be discussed.
  
  
• Project organization and management, delineating major activities and milestones, expected outputs, how results will be measured, and the identities and roles of key individuals, including national partners.
  
  
• A clear presentation of the budget will be included as Appendix 2 (see below).

4.3 Format

Proposals must adhere to the following format requirements. The evaluation panel will not read information presented in additional pages or in supplemental appendices. You are encouraged to be clear and succinct.

• The proposal must be submitted with a formal letter of request signed by the relevant centre Director General.
  
  
• The proposal must be accompanied by an official signed Letter of Agreement between the CGIAR centre and the cooperating Canadian institution (university or AAFC research group).
  
  
• The narrative of the proposal cannot exceed ten (10) pages in length (8½" x 11" paper, margins at least one (1) inch, font Times New Roman 11, spacing 1.5); it should follow the outline proposed in section 4.2 above.
  
  
• Three appendices are required:
  
  
  • Appendix 1: include a logical framework analysis consistent with the Centre's format, including information on activities, outputs, outcomes (purpose) and impacts (goal); performance indicators; data collection methods; and assumptions and risks. Maximum three (3) pages.
    
    
  • Appendix 2: include a clear presentation of the budget in Canadian dollars (CAD), specifying major cost items/categories by year including overheads. Costs should be reasonable and prudent. If the project will include additional funding from other sources, this should be explicit in the budget. The budget should be presented in such a way that it clearly relates to the summarized project work plan (with milestones). Budget notes clearly explaining budget line items and their relation to project activities must be included. Maximum three (3) pages.
    
    
  • Appendix 3: include a brief curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum one page/person) of key participants with up to one page of additional bibliographic citations, if relevant.
  
  
• Please ensure that the proposal pages are numbered.
  
  
• To the extent possible, consolidate the narrative and appendices into one electronic file to facilitate review by the evaluation panel.
  
  
• The proposal must be submitted by an eligible CGIAR centre and arrive complete with all attachments by 2:00 PM EST, Monday, January 25, 2010 at the address below. Electronic or faxed copies are acceptable with scanned signatures (with originals to follow).

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5. Selection and administration

An independent panel will assess the proposals and recommend funding priorities to CIDA's Multilateral and Global Programs Branch. The Letter of Agreement between cooperating institutions (mentioned above), together with a fully completed proposal and a formal letter of request signed by the relevant centre Director General, will form the basis for CIDA's grant contribution to the centre.

Two (2) grants are available for fiscal year 2009-2010. Funding is provided in annual installments to the successful project through the CGIAR partner who will administer the grant and be responsible for technical and financial monitoring of all activities.

Required reports:Recipient centres will provide CIDA with an annual statement of expenditures and a final report on project activities and results at the end of the project. The CGIAR centre and partner institutions are also requested to provide CIDA with any press releases, journal articles or other communication pieces that concern the project and its outcomes. These may be provided on an ongoing basis or at the end of the project.

Timetable for FY 2009-2010 grants

November 2009	Call for proposals
25 January 2010	CIDA deadline for receipt of all proposals
End February 2010	CIDA evaluation panel results
Mid March 2010	Grants finalized
End March 2010	Funds for first year disbursed

Mailing Address

CGIAR-Canada Linkage Fund
Attn. Ms. Catherine Coleman
UN, Commonwealth and Francophonie Division
Multilateral and Global Programs Branch
Canadian International Development Agency
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada K1A 0G4

fax: + 1 (819) 953-5348
email contact: catherine.coleman@acdi-cida.gc.ca

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6. Lessons learned from prior proposal calls

To aid in the preparation of competitive proposals, several observations can be made from the proposal evaluation processes of prior years. While not exhaustive, some of the most common shortcomings have been:

• Poor explanation of the scientific context of proposed research-how the research relates to ongoing Canadian and CGIAR centre research or the state-of-the-art of a particular topic.
  
  
• Weak treatment of the developmental relevance of the proposal. All research-including that conducting in laboratory settings-should be able to demonstrate (1) how end-users were involved in defining the research problem, (2) how they might be involved in conducting or evaluating research, and (3) how research results will be applied, adapted, disseminated or communicated to end-users. This might mean-in the case of highly strategic, "upstream" research-showing how other parts of the CGIAR centre or partner organizations will conduct additional applied or adaptive research for uptake and application.
  
  
• Lack of clarity on how innovative the research is, for example, a new or under-researched topic, a novel research approach or method, or a non-traditional institutional relationship.
  
  
• Lack of clarity on the inter-institutional relationship, including the type and intensity of the Canadian-CGIAR interaction, and whether the CCLF is forging new working partnerships or supplementing existing Canadian-CGIAR relationships.
  
  
• Lack of clarity on the value added by the CCLF in terms of catalyzing relationships and serving as "seed money" for longer-term working relationships; likewise, lack of clarity in justifying why some research is not already funded through the CGIAR core budget or linkages supported where there is obvious benefit (e.g. in ongoing relationships) through existing mechanisms.
  
  
• Weak treatment of the gender and environmental dimensions of the proposed research; proposals are expected to be very explicit about these aspects, including research that is more "upstream."
  
  
• Little or no discussion of the policy and institutional factors that implicate successful completion of the research and uptake of results.
  
  
• Incomplete discussion of the roles of all participating organizations, including those in national settings (e.g. NARS, private sector, civil society). The discussion should also include what specific support and/or capacity development is offered to these collaborators, and efforts to assess how effective this support has been.
  
  
• Poor budget presentation (budget must include a clear relationship to the summarized work plan and its outcomes). Lack of explicit budget notes and budgetary justifications, including overheads.
  
  
• Breaches of the formatting and length requirements, including in appendices and CVs.

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Note:

1. Currently, Bioversity, CIAT, CIFOR, CIMMYT, the Africa Rice Center, and Worldfish have active CCLF grants and are not eligible to submit proposals for 2009-2010 funding. All other centres including CIP, ICARDA, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA, ILRI, IRRI, IWMI and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) are encouraged to submit proposals.

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CGIAR System Research Priorities 2005 - 2015 (PDF 571.3 KB, 81 pages)