Climate, Food and Farming Research Network Call for Proposals, 2014
Grants to support scientific training of PhD students from developing countries
Call for proposals
The Climate Food and Farming (CLIFF) Research Network invite applications from students from developing countries, currently enrolled in PhD programs for short-term (3-4 month) scientific training and research stays at CGIAR research centers. Applicants should have a background in agriculture and climate change research and an interest in mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. We especially seek students with experience with livestock systems.
Selected students will be sponsored for short-term (3-4 month) scientific training and research stays at CGIAR centers in their home regions, or affiliated research institutions1. During their tenure at the host institutions, students will learn approaches used in the Standard Assessment of Mitigation Potential and Livelihoods in Smallholder Systems (SAMPLES) research program to evaluate options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from smallholder systems and the changes in productivity and livelihood indicators associated with alternative practices.
The techniques that may be studied include (but are not limited to) remote sensing, economic surveys, and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions. Topics will depend on the student’s and host institution scientists’ interests. Applications are invited for training and travel grants of up to 10,000 USD. The grants will be used to support living and research costs at the host institution.
It is important to note that these grants will not necessarily be to support participants’ own research, but to facilitate training on techniques and methods being applied in CCAFS research.
Background
The Climate Food and Farming (CLIFF) Research Network is a collaborative initiative of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and the Universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus. The Network aims to build the capacity of young scientists, generate novel climate change research on smallholder farming systems, and facilitate South-South knowledge exchange. Each year, starting in 2011, CLIFF has provided small grants to support PhD student research and training on topics related to SAMPLES, which is also a program of CCAFS.
The SAMPLES program
SAMPLES is a global research program that investigates the impact of smallholder agriculture on the climate. Currently, virtually no data are available on greenhouse gas emissions and removals from smallholder production systems. The dearth of information constrains the transition to low emissions agricultural development. SAMPLES aims to generate robust and comparable data on greenhouse gas emissions and livelihood indicators for smallholder farming systems. SAMPLES is a program of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security. Activities within the SAMPLES program are carried out by a network of researchers at several CGIAR centers.
Application requirements
The application must include the following documents merged into one pdf file:
1-2 page motivation letter (described below).
1-page curriculum vitae that includes your contact details.
Letter of support from your university supervisor
All applications must be in English.
The motivation letter, which must be no more than two A4 pages, must include the following:
1. Your name, citizenship and the country where you are conducting your PhD study
2. The objectives of your PhD study.
3. Linkages between your study and the SAMPLES program.
4. Any other relevant research experience.
5. Justification for the short-term scientific visit. How will scientific training with the SAMPLES program improve your PhD research?
Eligibility and conditions
- Applicants must be currently enrolled PhD students.
- Applicants must be students from and conducting their research in a developing country2.
- The grant money should be used to finance the short-term scientific visit, NOT tuition or other fees related to the degree.
- Scientific visits must take place during 2015.
Submission
Applications must be submitted on or before the 30th of September 2014. To submit your application and for any questions please contact the coordinator of the CLIFF network, Tanka Kandel, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University,
Email: Tanka.Kandel@agrsci.dk
Notification
Successful applicants will be notified by email in October of 2014 and will be invited to attend a CLIFF-funded workshop in early 2015.
Other activities
Grant recipients automatically become members of the CLIFF network, which provides networking and collaborative opportunities with fellow students and leading experts.
More information
About CCAFS: ccafs.cgiar.org
About SAMPLES, a CCAFS program: www.samples.ccafs.cgiar.org
About the CLIFF network, also a program of CCAFS: http://ccafs.cgiar.org/climate-food-and-farming-network.
Please visit these websites before preparing your application.
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