Deadline: 1 August 2014
Open to: Southeast Asian nationals, graduates of at least a four-year degree who have an innovative project relevant to the agricultural and development needs of Southeast Asia
Grant: up to $15,000
Description
The Southeast Asian region has a number of promising researchers and scientists whose desire to contribute to the region’s development through research and knowledge dissemination initiatives is hindered by lack of funds. This situation serves as a barrier to translating promising research and training into scientific outputs that could be applied to promote development. To address this concern and in line with the Center’s thrust of promoting, undertaking and coordinating research programs relevant to the agriculture and rural development needs of the region, SEARCA will dedicate funds to be known as the SEARCA Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT).
Asia’s food security is under significant pressure from a variety of factors that include population growth, the declining performance of agriculture, climate change, volatile food and oil prices and the rapid transformation of supply chains. For this reason, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pushed food security to the top of its agenda.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates must be Southeast Asian national of good moral character, graduate of at least a four-year degree, and with no significant funding support. The candidate should have a proposed project within the Center’s priority thrust of Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Competitiveness is eligible provided that the project is innovative and is accompanied by an appropriate plan for developing it into a potentially large-scale research or training program greatly relevant to the agricultural and development needs of the region; has strong potential for generating significant long-term funding support; and can be completed within a period not exceeding one year.
Fellowship
The SFRT will provide chosen research and training project proposals with limited start-up funds intended to enhance chances of securing long-term support from donor agencies. A grant of up to $15,000 shall be awarded as seed fund for research or training.
Application
The deadline for applications is 1 August 2014.
Firstly, candidates must send an advance copy of their proposal via electronic mail to: sfrt@agri.searca.org. A hard copy of the same proposal must be sent via post to: Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031 Philippines.
For further information, please visit the official website.