Deadline: 17-Mar-23
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Secretariat is looking for creative ideas and breakthrough solutions that can assist the archipelagic and island states to strengthen their capacity in the marine sector.
As an organization that leverages smart and innovative solutions in achieving the objectives, through the UNDP Innovation Challenges, AIS Forum Secretariat intends to discover solutions that can help archipelagic and island states to be stronger and more resilient.
Objectives
The objective of the assignment is to assist AIS Forum Secretariat to find smart and innovative solutions that will strengthen the cooperation between the archipelagic and island states in the marine sector, including:
- Fostering competitive research and development initiatives between AIS Forum participating countries through cooperative working relationships to create new or further develop existing market-oriented technologies, products or services.
- Promoting and implementing smart and innovative solutions through the development of a collaborative research and innovation platform for stakeholders in AIS Forum participating countries.
- Identifying and integrating relevant activities and expertise of AIS Forum participating countries into a framework of international cooperation – with an emphasis on the four main AIS Forum thematic areas.
- Establishing academic networks between AIS Forum participating countries through stakeholders such as: universities, think tanks, civil society organizations, and other relevant institutions.
- Promoting applied research in sustainable development with high potential to be scaled up.
Research Areas
Permissible research areas should include topics in one or more of the four AIS Forum thematic areas, including but not limited to:
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: a research project that can enhance carbon sequestration, coastal protection, biodiversity, and the reproductive capacity of marine organisms.
- Blue Economy: a research project to create methods for improved measuring of fish stocks or development of fishing gear with reduced environmental impacts.
- Marine Plastic Debris: a research project to find sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic production techniques.
- Good Maritime Governance: a research project that focuses on the formation of marine protected areas through effective policy measures that are socially and ecologically responsible.
Funding information
A total of USD 60,000 grants will be provided to two winners(teams), to be used for research purposes in 10 months research period.
Expected Outputs
The key outputs under this innovation challenge are:
- A Joint Research project proposal that offers the innovative and/or technology-based solution in climate change mitigation and adaptation/blue economy/marine plastic debris/good maritime governance.
- Report on at least 50% of the Joint Research progress according to the approved timeline.
- Final report and output of the joint research project.
Funded Activities
The grants shall cover the main activities of the research, which include but is not limited to:
- Research management.
- Fieldwork and data collection.
- Domestic and International travel.
- Intellectual property protection.
- Communication and the dissemination of the research project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Team qualification
- Any research team that consists of at least 2 stakeholders from AIS participating countries.
- Proposal qualification
- The proposed research project needs to demonstrate it is of high scientific value and aligns with one or more of the four main AIS Forum thematic areas. It should also aim to enhance the well-being and livelihoods of local peoples and to preserve coastal and marine ecosystems.
- Furthermore, the applicants should explain why their research project would benefit from having the cooperation of multiple parties as well as how the proposed research activities will be implemented cooperatively.
For more information, visit UNDP.