European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus ACP II Program Grants

Applications are currently being invited from interested individuals for Erasmus Mundus ACP II Program grants. Erasmus Mundus ACP Program is an initiative of European Commission. The Mundus ACP II is the renewal project of Erasmus Mundus ACP, and a joint program of 20 Higher Education Institutions from the European Union and the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) Countries.

More About MUNDUS ACP II Project

The MUNDUS ACP II Project is the MUNDUS ACP Project renewal whose implementation began in the 2010/2011 academic year. The Project comprises European and several ACP Countries’ Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and HEIs Associations, and was implemented within the framework of the Erasmus Mundus, Action 2 – STRAND 1, Lot 15, ACP Countries.

Goals of MUNDUS ACP II Program

• The mutual enrichment and a better understanding between Europe and the ACP Countries, through the exchange of people, knowledge and skills at Higher Education level;
• The increase of international cooperation between European and ACP Countries’ HEIs, thus contributing to foster the socio-economical development of this region;
• The promotion of transparency and recognition of studies and qualifications at an international level.

Grant Provisions

• According to the Guidelines of the Erasmus Mundus Programme, the mobility flows within the scope of this Project are possible in the 16 study fields.
• The selected applicants of this Project will receive a monthly scholarship, according to the type of mobility they will carry out.

Eligibility Conditions

The MUNDUS ACP II Project foresees individual mobility flows to:

• Students (Master and Doctorate) and Academic and Administrative Staff of the ACP Countries willing to develop their activity in one of the European Partner Universities:
• Full Master students will carry out their studies in Europe, in a partner institution of the Project, with the duration of 24 months with the purpose of undertaking their full training at the host institution and the issue of the corresponding Diploma).
• Doctorate students will undertake a mobility period in Europe, in one of the partner institutions of the project, under the doctoral program in which they are enrolled in their home countries (ACP), with the duration of 10 months (this mobility period must be fully recognized by the partner ACP Institution).
• The Academic and Administrative Staff will develop, in Europe, in a partner institution of the Project, activities for the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences with the duration of 1 month of effective work.
• Academic and Administrative Staff mobility from Europe who wish to develop their activity in one of the ACP Countries’ Partner Universities. The Academic and Administrative Staff will develop, in the ACP Countries, in a partner institution of the Project, activities for the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences with the duration of 1 month of effective work.

Note: The Project’s mobility scheme determines that the ACP Countries’ candidates may only apply to European partner institutions and that the European candidates can only apply to ACP Countries’ partner institutions. The main objective of this mobility flow scheme is to reinforce regional cooperation between the Higher Education Institutions of the ACP region and the EU.

Last date for submission of applications is January 31, 2012

International Foundation for Science seeks Applications for Research Grants

Founded in 1972, the International Foundation for Science (IFS) is a research council that aims to build the scientific capacity of developing countries in sciences related to the sustainable management of biological and water resources. This non-governmental organisation works to promote the research efforts of promising young science graduates, who have the potential to become leading scientists in their countries. In the past 37 years, IFS has offered over 7,000 research grants to young scientists from different parts of the world.

IFS is currently inviting applications from eligible projects in select developing countries for the research grants. The timeframe of a research project should normally be 1-3 years. After having completed an IFS supported research project, and submitted a project report, grantees may apply for renewal grants.

Grant Provisions
An IFS Research Grant has a maximum value of USD 12,000. It is awarded to an individual researcher, for a specific research project, presented by the Applicant in the Application form. The IFS Research Grant is intended for the purchase of the basic tools needed to conduct the proposed research project – equipment, expendable supplies, and literature – and to arrange fieldwork activities related to the proposed project. The grant cannot be used to pay for the aspiring Grantee’s own salary or for honoraria, or to cover tuition fees or living expenses. It is expected that the IFS Grantees already receive a salary and are employed by or otherwise attached to a developing country research institution.

Funding for Research Teams
Although the IFS Research Grant is individual, IFS strongly supports the creation of research teams. To jointly fund a team project, researchers who qualify for IFS support may apply for individual IFS Research grants. Each team member should describe his/her own individual research objectives as well as his/her contribution to meeting the objectives of the team. Each individual application will be evaluated based on individual merit as well as contribution to the team objectives.

Eligibility Conditions
An eligible candidate for an IFS Research grant is:
•        a citizen of a developing country
•        a scientist with at least a Master’s or equivalent degree/research experience
•        under 40 years of age and at the beginning of research career
•        attached to a university, national research institution or a research-oriented NGO in a developing country

Exceptions:
•        China: Chinese applicants must be under 30 years of age.
•        Researchers from Hong Kong SAR are not eligible for support from IFS.
•        Researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa are eligible for IFS support up to the age of 45, provided they                  have completed their highest academic degree (MSc, MA, PhD or equivalent) in the previous 5 years.
•        Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay: Applications are no longer accepted from these countries.

Eligible Countries
IFS Research grants are reserved for developing country scientists for research projects carried out in a developing country. Country eligibility is based on the GNI per capita (GNI = Gross National Income) of the country, as published annually by World Bank. The upper limit is drawn at the average GNI/capita for so-called Upper Middle Income Countries (UMIC). If a country’s GNI/capita increases and exceeds this upper limit for some consecutive years, the country will be phased out of the IFS granting programme.

Due to the improved economic situation in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay, these countries are no longer eligible for IFS grants.

Project Selection Criteria
To qualify for IFS funding, research projects must be:
•        related to the sustainable utilisation, conservation or management of the biological or water resource base
•        conducted in a developing country
•        of a high scientific standard
•        feasible
•        relevant for the country/region

Last date for submitting the applications for second session is January 29, 2012.
For more information, visit this link.

AusAid seeks Proposals for Community-based Climate Change Action Grants

AusAid is currently inviting proposals from Australian and international NGOs for the community-based climate change action grants, a funding scheme for NGOs to develop and implement community-based climate change responses in one or more Pacific Island countries or in a single country in South East Asia. Grant proposals can be submitted under any one of the two categories: Community-based adaptation grants and Community-based mitigation grants. While the adaptation grants are meant to focus on building the resilience of communities to the impacts of climate change, the mitigation grants will help communities reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, while also addressing key development priorities.

Objectives

• increase the resilience of communities in developing countries to the unavoidable impacts of climate change;
• reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions while also contributing to development priorities in the target communities;

Funding Available

Up to AUD$30 million in funding is available to non-government organizations though the Community-based Climate Change Action Grants.

Organization Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for funding, organizations must comply with the following criteria:
• The lead organization is an Australian or International NGO with knowledge and technical skills of relevance to community-based climate change adaptation and/or mitigation. Applications from organizations that have established working relationships with local partners are encouraged.
• The organization(s) is accredited by AusAID and/or agrees to the Statement of International Development Practice Principles.
• The organization(s) manages activities and relationships with other organizations in a way that reflects good practice in developing countries.
• Applicant organizations must declare all other proposals or sources of funding (including Australian Government funding) that is related, or may impact, on the activity.
• Consortia applications must be accompanied by a separate letter from each partner providing information about the organization, noting the relationship between the lead and partner organizations and intent to collaborate on the proposed activity.

Activity Eligibility

• Proposed activities must be consistent with the Australian aid program’s strategic goals and development objectives, as outlined in An Effective Aid Program for Australia: Making a real difference – Delivering real results.
• The proposed activities must comply with AusAID’s safeguards.
• The proposed activity is to be implemented in one or more Pacific Island countries or in a single country in South East Asia.
• Organizations proposing to run activities in Vietnam are eligible for mitigation funding for this grants program. However, adaptation proposals for other eligible countries can include a mitigation component.
• Proposals for integrated adaptation and mitigation activities may be accepted for Vietnam. The proposals should clearly indicate the relative proportions of adaptation and mitigation components.

Last date for submitting the concept paper is February 10, 2012.
For more information, visit this link.
This grant is only for Australian or international organizations.

Global Water Partnership International Water Law Scholarship Programme

DEADLINE- 3 February 2012

Countries/Region- All countries

The Global Water Partnership together with IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, under the auspices of UNESCO, at the University of Dundee, is looking to build on their successful 2011 International Water Law Programme, and offer scholarships.

GWP believes that an integrated approach to managing the world’s water resources is the best way to pursue this vision—a vision that encompasses all of life.

The Issues and themes covered under this opportunity are sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.

Eligibility:

Applicants to the joint GWP-University of Dundee IWL Programme should be from GWP Partner organizations and are required to be proficient in English, either as native speakers, or to a standard of an IELTS score of 6.5. A university degree is required in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Law, Agriculture, or related field.For more information, visit this link