Applications Open for SEARCA’s Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) Program!

Deadline: 1 August 2017

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is currently accepting applications for its Seed Fund for Research and Training program.

Objectives

SFRT aims to provide start-up funds to researchers and scientists who can make significant contributions to the development of the region but lack the funds to carry out their projects.
It intends to build capacities of researchers to develop research proposals and conduct the research, mindful of inherent technical, financial, and administrative responsibilities of such an undertaking.
It seeks to expand SEARCA’s reach in terms of research, capacity building, and contribution to the body of knowledge on ISARD in the region.

Funding Information

A grant of up to $15,000 shall be awarded as seed fund for research/training.

Eligibility Criteria

The proponent should be a Southeast Asian national who is a graduate of at least a four-year degree course, with limited research/training start-up funds.
Priority in terms of number of slots will be given to the following:
- SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Alumni
- Faculty and Staff of members of the University Consortium
- Faculty and staff of universities under SEARCA’s Institutional Development Assistance Program
Southeast Asian nationals outside of the above-mentioned SEARCA network who are regular employees of development organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies of any of the SEA countries may likewise be considered.
Previous grantees may re-apply provided that their last SFRT grant has not been within the preceding two years.

Project Eligibility

The proposed project should be aligned with Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (ISARD), the overarching theme of SEARCA’s 10th Five Year Plan (FY 2014/2015 – 2018/2019), along at least one of the following elements:

Social Inclusion in Agricultural and Rural Development
- Participation of poor and vulnerable sectors of rural societies in food and agricultural value chains and agribusiness commodity systems;
- Food and nutrition security for poor and vulnerable sectors of rural societies ; and
- Productivity-enhancing innovations and modern technologies.
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
- Natural resource management;
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation in agricultural and rural development; and
- Resilience of agricultural systems to climate impacts.
Regional and Sub-regional Cooperation
- Sub-regional cooperation in trade and investments; and
- Regional market, trade and economic integration.
Institutions and Governance
- Government policies, institutions and governance mechanisms and reforms for ISARD