STATEMENT AND SCHEDULE

Introduction

The ICSU Grants Programme supports collaborative scientific initiatives of relevance to science and society. It is a competitive, peer-reviewed programme for ICSU Scientific Unions, Interdisciplinary Bodies and Joint Initiatives in collaboration with other ICSU bodies including Regional Offices.

Proposals for 2012 grants must focus on ICSU’s strategic priorities listed below and should be international and multidisciplinary. ICSU encourages submission of innovative proposals that (i) actively involve the ICSU Regional Offices (see Annex), (ii) promote the involvement of young scientists, women scientists, and scientists from developing countries, and/or (iii) forge new partnerships between organisations that do not routinely collaborate.

The total funding available for the Grants Programme in 2012 is Euro 280,000 and a ceiling of Euro 30,000 is imposed on all applications.

• Priority Areas Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

ICSU promotes the advancement of science in support of sustainable development. Proposals should address, inter alia, issues such as water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity and other issues that address the linked environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

• Capacity Building and Science Education

ICSU promotes activities in support of capacity building and science education, especially for developing countries, and in broadening outreach to teachers and young scientists.

Science/Policy Interface

Proposals that address the need for dialogue between science and policy communities are encouraged. Proposals for review or assessment of scientific knowledge necessary for policy formulation are also welcome.

• Dissemination of Data and / or Information from Science and Technology

ICSU plays a leading role in addressing issues related to the dissemination of scientific data and information for the advancement of research and education. Proposals should address, inter alia, issues such as data access, intellectual property rights, and the impact of recent developments in information technologies.

• Emerging Science -- Creation of New Knowledge

ICSU continues to be committed to the advancement of the frontiers of science. Proposals for innovative endeavours to develop initiatives exploring new frontiers of science at the interface between different disciplines are encouraged.

Review Criteria and Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed in terms of scientific merit, relevance to the ICSU Strategic Plan and the priorities of the ICSU Regional Offices, innovative nature, interdisciplinary and international focus, broad participation, visible and measurable outputs, and potential for developing follow-on activities. For projects involving ICSU Regional Offices, meaningful engagement with these offices from the outset is emphasized.

Applicants must provide sufficient information on how the proposed objectives will be effectively achieved within the financial resources available. A number of proposals have been unsuccessful in the past because they have not included an adequate work plan.

The programme does not support (i) ‘travel grants’ to attend standard scientific meetings and conferences, (ii) ‘fellowship programmes’, (iii) regular laboratory or field-based research projects that are normally funded by research funding agencies, (iv) the setting up or maintenance of websites and journals, or (v) applications by individuals or sub-structures of ICSU member organizations. In general, funding should be regarded as catalytic; funding over several years for the same or similar projects usually will not be granted.

Each proposal will be reviewed independently by at least three members of ICSU’s Committee on Scientific Planning and Review and, if necessary, external reviewers. The final ranking of proposals is a consensus decision by the whole Committee. Results will be announced in February 2012 and funds will be made available immediately thereafter.

Lead and Supporting Applicants

Each application must have one Lead Applicant that assumes the principal responsibility for the project and at least one, or preferably several, Supporting Applicants. These Supporting Applicants must be active partners in the project. The roles of Supporting Applicants and any other partners in preparing and carrying out the work must be made clear in the application.

* Lead Applicants can be ICSU International Scientific Unions, Interdisciplinary Bodies or Joint Initiatives. Note that other types of ICSU bodies (i.e. National Scientific Members, ICSU Regional Offices, International or National Scientific Associates) can be Supporting Applicants only.

* Formal Supporting Applicants are organizations in the ICSU family, and can be Scientific Unions, Interdisciplinary Bodies, Joint Initiatives, ICSU Regional Offices, National Scientific Members, or International or National Scientific Associates. At least one organization from this list must be a Supporting Applicant, with an active role in the project, for the application to be valid. Partnerships with other organizations, e.g., UN agencies, are also encouraged and should be described in the relevant section of the application form.

Lead Applicants may submit no more than one application.

Submission of Applications

• All suggestions for applications must be submitted by email to Joan Marti (joan.marti@ija.csic.es) Secretary General of IAVCEI no later than 1 November 2011.