• 2009 Small Grants Competition

    to adopt a cross-learning and iterative approach that will enable all researchers to learn from each other across different types of bio-innovation throughout the region.

  • Overview of the Project

    to enhance biological innovative capabilities, policies & institutions to support just, equitable & sustainable social & economic development in developing countries.

  • Bio-innovations in the NEWS

    Policy briefs and articles on relevant dimensions of bio-innovation.

Enabling bioinnovation for poverty allevation in Asia.

Guidelines for Submission of Proposals

 To download the Call for Proposals click here (PDF File).

 
 
The 2009 Bio-innovations Asia Small Grant Competition is open to individual
researchers and groups/organizations interested in the subject of bio-innovations for poverty alleviation in the Asian Region.
Groups/organizations must be duly registered entities, eligible for entering into contracts.
Individual researchers must be affiliated with an academic institution, civil society organization or association, business organization or association, community organization or organized group.
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The Program is extending grants of up to 18,000 CAD. Microgrants will also be awarded (up
to 2,000 CAD) for writing unpublished papers based on a case relevant to the themes
discussed in the Call for Proposal. Grants will be awarded to projects that can be completed
within one (1) year, unless otherwise indicated in the proposal.
 
Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter of intent (maximum of 2 pages)
introducing the applicant (individual or organization), explaining the proposed research
project, and its relevance to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal.
Short-listed applicants will be requested to submit a 10 to 15 page fully developed research proposal.
 
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Applications for research funds can only be evaluated and selected if a complete and well-
argued proposal complies with the following outline and components:
a) Title Page
The working title of the proposal should be straightforward, clear and concise.
b) Introduction (1-2 pages max.)
Introduction should give the basic background information about the case to be investigated
and its practical, policy or theoretical significance in relation to the central theme.
c) Statement of the Problem (1 page max.)
This section should summarize the core issue/s being explored or knowledge deficits being
addressed, or understood, and lessons and policy prescriptions likely to be drawn. This will
normally consist of a few paragraphs that present a concise statement of the research
problem to be investigated and nature of likely solutions to be proposed (which may have
desired impacts on poor peoples livelihoods or health). This will also require reference to
some literature, such as reports of previous research in the field or related areas --both
academic and non-academic ­ and some official statistics and/or other reliable secondary
sources.
d) Research Objectives (1 page max.)
This should discuss the following: (a) what are the expected ways by which existing
knowledge or notions about the call will be enhanced; (b) how will this enhanced knowledge
lead to positive actions or policy initiatives in the relevant sector (health or pro-poor
livelihood).
e) Research Plan and Methods (2 pages max)
This should present an outline and brief discussion of the way the research will be conducted.
Included in this part are the sources, types and forms of data needed to fulfill the tasks and
objectives set in the research project, the method of selecting the data (including sampling
design when appropriate) and the methods of collecting, reducing and analyzing the data.
Indicate and justify why this research is employing a quantitative, qualitative or mixed method
procedures.
f) Expected outcomes or benefits (1 paragraph/10-15 lines/ max 4 bullet points)
This part should provide information about the intended policy or action implications of the
research for any of the domains of the bio-innovation system or specific organizations/groups
within domains. It should show how the direct stakeholders can benefit from the findings,
especially the poor end-users and the public sector. It should show any indirect stakeholders
and benefits to them. Present objectively verifiable indicators of results and outcomes (eg.,
scientists from public sector labs work with local governments or municipalities in pharmaco-
vigilance groups, or corporate sector sponsors bio-safety/bio-ethics committees in vulnerable
agro-ecosystems).
g) Communication of findings (1 paragraph/ 10-15 lines/ max 4 bullet points)
This pertains to a discussion and plan on how the findings of the research can be
communicated to a larger audience or the public. The results and the lessons learned from
the research could be disseminated through various media such as print, Internet (Bio-
innovations Asia website), CD-ROM, or VDO.
h) Timetable (Table ­ with quarterly or monthly activities and milestones)
The proposal should include a breakdown of activities with corresponding realistic timelines
and objectively verifiable indicators of achievement.
i) Budget
As mentioned above, estimated funding for each small grant research project is up to CAD
18,000. Within this budget limit, the expenses include services and materials required to carry out the research and dissemination of research results. Cost may include remuneration of  persons who gather data and information or provide casual labor in research activities.
The grant does not allow administrative cost and  capital expenditure of any kind, such as vehicles and computers, nor does it provide for contingency expenses.
Download Budget Estimation Form here.
j) References
All references in the body of the proposal should be put.
k) Researchers' and Institutional Profile
This section should give basic information about the organization/institution applying, with
especial emphasis on its track record in research work. The institution's immediate or future
counterpart contribution to this research should also be discussed. Likewise relevant
information about the researchers to be involved in the project should be presented, including
specific roles of each in the research.
 
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The complete set of documents for proposal submission consists of:
  • Full research proposal (see previous section)
  • Total Proposed Budget
    Download Budget Estimation Form here.
  • Gender Analysis Check-list in Research Design (WORD file download here)
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The following criteria and corresponding percentage weights will be applied to the selection of
proposals for funding:
  • Clear objectives and research problem statement oriented towards the issues or
    problems identified in the Call for Proposals (20%)
  • Clarity and manageability of the overall research design, including realistic budget
    (20%)
  • Gender-sensitivity to the substantive and methodological aspects of the research
    plan, and gender-responsiveness of targeted policy change. (20%)
  • Emphasis on field information/data gathering (primary and secondary) and substantial
    participation of major stakeholders (in bio-innovation domains) in the research
    process (15%)
  • Potentials for research results to bear on, and influence responsive policy changes,
    and/or for building partnerships between relevant groups in the bio-innovation
    system. (15%)
  • Level of institutional commitment by potential partner group to the research project,
    particularly bearing on project's sustainability. (10%)
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All proposals will be reviewed by the Project's Advisory Committee and some revisions for
basic format completion may be asked from the applicants. The AC will then make an
evaluation summary of the proposals using a set of evaluation criteria as mentioned above.