>Capacity Building Programs: African Small Grants
>
>Past START/PACOM Awardees
><http://www.start.org/Program/African_sm_grants_2005.html>2005 
>| 
><http://www.start.org/Program/African_sm_grants_2004.html>2004 
>| <http://www.start.org/Program/African_sm_grants_2003.html>2003
>
><http://www.start.org/Program/African_sm_grants.html#call_for_prop>START/PACOM 
>2007 Call for Propoasals
>
>Small Research Grants for African Global Change Scientists
>
>In 2003 the International START Secretariat and 
>the Pan African START Committee (PACOM), with 
>funding from the United States National Science 
>Foundation/ US Climate Change Science Program 
>(NSF/USCCSP), initiated a program of small 
>research grants to global change scientists in 
>Africa. Awards are made to scientists based at 
>African institutions for research projects related to:
>
>1) Climate Variability and Climate Change in Africa
>
>2) Impacts/Adaptations/Vulnerability to Global Change
>
>3) Land Use and Ecosystem Change
>
>4) Bio-geochemical Fluxes, and
>
>5) Biodiversity.
>
>All projects fall within the research frameworks 
>of START's sponsoring programs (IHDP, IGBP, and 
>WCRP). Many of them also contribute to the joint 
>research projects of the Earth System Science 
>Partnership: Water Systems, the Global Carbon 
>Cycle, and Global Change and Food Security.
>
>For more information, contact:
>Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
>
>----------
>
>************START/PACOM 2007 CALL FOR PROPOSALS************
>A Call for Research Proposals related to Environmental Change
>tendered to the African Global Change Research Community
>
>Downloads: 
><http://www.start.org/Program/download/USCCSP%2007%20Call%20for%20Proposal.pdf>Call 
>- PDF 
><http://www.start.org/Program/download/USCCSP%2007%20Call%20for%20ProposalCL.doc>Cover 
>sheet - Word
>
>I. Background
>
>The Mission of START and PACOM
>
>START, the global change SysTem for Analysis, 
>Research and Training, co-sponsored by the Earth 
>Systems Science Partnership[1], seeks to enhance 
>the scientific capacity of developing regions to 
>conduct global change research. START promotes 
>regional collaborative research networks, which 
>conduct research on regional aspects of 
>environmental change, assess impacts and 
>vulnerabilities to such changes, and provide 
>information to policy-makers. START mobilizes 
>resources to support infrastructure and research 
>programs on environmental change within 
>developing regions and provides a variety of 
>capacity building opportunities aimed at young 
>scientists who are pursuing global change 
>research within these regions. Through its 
>various activities, START enhances the 
>scientific capacity of developing countries to 
>address the complex processes of environmental change and degradation.
>
>PACOM, the Pan-African Committee for START, 
>serves as a regional coordination body for 
>START’s activities in Africa. PACOM is comprised 
>of scientists and policy-makers who are actively 
>engaged in activities addressing issues related 
>to global change and its relation to sustainable 
>development. The Pan-African START Secretariat, 
>based at the University of Nairobi, serves as 
>the coordinating office for START’s activities in Africa.
>
>Call for Proposals
>
>START, through funding from the US National 
>Science Foundation on behalf of the United 
>States Climate Change Science Program, is able 
>to offer this Call for Proposals. The objectives 
>of this call are: 1) to directly contribute to 
>global change science in Africa; 2) to enhance 
>the understanding of the impacts and 
>consequences of global changes in Africa, 3) to 
>create long-term, collaborative research 
>partnerships between African scientists and 
>those in developed countries, and 4) to foster 
>the integration of African researchers into the 
>international global change research programmes 
>of ESSP, IHDP, IGBP, WCRP, and DIVERSITAS.
>
>To be eligible for consideration, the proposals 
>must explicitly address priority issues 
>identified in the frameworks of START’s 
>sponsoring programs (IGBP, IHDP, and WCRP) of 
>the Earth System Science Partnership. In this 
>round, priority will be assigned to proposals 
>that focus on the following three themes:
>
>Theme 1: Climate Variability & Climate Change, especially:
>
>Theme 2: Impacts/Adaptations/Vulnerability to Climate Change
>
>Theme 3: Land Use Change/Ecosystems/Biogeochemical Change/Biodiversity
>
>African scientists currently funded by START may 
>not submit requests for new support under this call
>
>Applications (including cover sheet, proposal 
>descriptions and attachments) of more than 16 
>(sixteen) pages will not be accepted.
>
>This guide explains the types of proposals that 
>will be considered, the method and format of the 
>application process, the peer-review, and 
>decision-making process. This information is 
>also available from the START website 
>(http://www.start.org/Program/African_sm_grants.html)
>
>II. Procedure for Proposals
>
>1. Eligibility
>
>To be eligible for consideration under the 
>START/PACOM 2005 Call for Proposals a proposal 
>must meet the following basic criteria:
>    * Relate to an area of scientific interest 
> within the Framework of this Call (see above)
>    * While overseas partnerships are 
> encouraged, the principal proponent(s) must be based in an African institution
>    * Follow the form specified below under “Format for Proposals”
>    * Include the one-page cover sheet 
> (attached); The TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES MAY NOT EXCEED 16 (sixteen).
>    * Arrive at the International START 
> Secretariat no later than midnight (24:00) – US 
> Eastern Time – on Wednesday 28 February 2007.
>
>Proposals that fail to meet these basic criteria 
>will not be considered for funding.
>
>2. Funding Limit
>
>The intent is to make around 10 awards in this 
>round; typical award levels are in the range of 
>US$15,000. Selected projects are expected to 
>begin around 01 June 2007 and must be completed by 31 May 2008.
>
>3. Eligible proposals will be evaluated against the criteria outlined below:
>    * Technical soundness
>    * Building regional capacity for global change research
>    * Developing and/or strengthening 
> collaborative research relationships between African
>    * scientists and overseas partners
>    * Developing and/or strengthening links with 
> government policy and programmes
>    * Developing and/or strengthening relations 
> with regional and international global change 
> research programmes and inter-governmental bodies and mechanisms
>
>Support may be requested for activities which:
>    * Address knowledge gaps in key research areas
>    * Include capacity building as part of the research activities
>    * Develop products suitable for policy, 
> decision-makers such as integrated assessments 
> impact assessments, regional climate models, etc.
>
>Support will not be provided for:
>    * Costs incurred by the developed country 
> participant with the exception of limited 
> travel support for collaboration with African researchers
>    * Operating costs of institutions
>    * Establishment or maintenance of long-term 
> routine observation and monitoring systems
>
>4. Timetable
>
>Proposals Due: no later than midnight (24:00) – 
>US Eastern Time – on Wednesday, 28 February 
>2007, to the International START Secretariat. 
>(All applications will be acknowledged as they are received and processed.)
>
>Award Decisions: Proponents will be notified by 
>01 May 2007 of the outcome of their application.
>
>III. Format for Proposals
>
>All proponents are required to complete the 
>one-page cover sheet (Attachment 1). In 
>addition, the main body of the proposal should 
>be a maximum of five pages (plus the four 
>specified appendices of) in the format outlined 
>below. The TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES MAY NOT EXCEED 16 (sixteen).
>
>Section
>
>Information Required
>
>
>
>
>Project Title
>
>
>
>Title of the proposed project.
>
>Detailed Proposal
>
>
>
>Description of the entire project, START/PACOM 
>funded portion, work plan, timeline, etc. 
>expanding where necessary on information provided in the cover sheet.
>
>Relationship To Research Themes of this Call
>
>Description of the relationship of this proposal 
>to the research themes of this call.
>
>Capacity Building
>
>An explanation of how the project will build 
>national/regional capacity to conduct global change research.
>
>International Collaboration
>
>An explanation of how the project will foster 
>long-term international collaboration.
>
>Scientific Contribution of each Participating Investigator
>
>An explanation of the scientific contribution of 
>each participating investigator.
>
>Links To Policy
>
>An explanation of how the project will 
>contribute to national/regional policy making.
>
>Relationship to Global Change Research Programmes
>
>Details on any relationship to the scientific 
>agendas, activities, and projects of ESSP, IGBP, 
>IHDP, WCRP, or DIVERSITAS and any specific contacts with core projects.
>
>Previous or Current START Awards
>
>An explanation or description of any current or 
>past award received from START.
>
>
>Related Research Work
>
>
>
>Details of existing research work on the proposed topic.
>
>Appendix 1
>Major Collaborators
>
>Details of the major collaborators (names, organizations, contact details).
>
>Appendix 2
>CV of Proponent
>
>Short CV for proponent and major collaborators (maximum two pages per CV).
>
>Appendix 3
>Budget
>
>Full budget estimate for the project in US 
>dollars, clearly indicating START/PACOM portion 
>and in-kind and other contributions. (See Appendix 1 – Financial Guidelines)
>
>Appendix 4
>Details of funds from other sources
>
>Where funds are received (in-kind and other 
>contributions) from other sources for your 
>project, please provide details on the amount, 
>source, and specific purpose/use of both the 
>START/PACOM funds and the funds from other 
>sources in the project. Written evidence of 
>other funding sources may be required.
>
>Submission Procedures
>
>Full proposals must reach the International 
>START Secretariat by the deadline. START 
>strongly prefers electronic submission; however, 
>proposals submitted by fax or mail will be 
>accepted. In case of submission by mail, please 
>send two copies only and refrain from sending bound copies.
>
>IV. START/PACOM Support
>
>Upon successful peer-review and decision to make 
>an award, the Secretariat and proponents 
>including the institution of the Principal 
>Investigator will sign a contract outlining 
>payments, activities, time-tables, reporting 
>requirements, etc. Contracts will be executed 
>only with the principal investigator(s)’ 
>institution, which much be involved in managing 
>and overseeing disbursements for the 
>successfully funded project. Contracts will not be executed with individuals.
>
>V. Additional Funding
>
>Where additional funding from other sources is 
>described in the proposal, the proponent may be 
>required to submit evidence of said funding prior to the execution of contract.
>
>VI. Inquiries
>
>Inquires and correspondence should be directed 
>to the International START Secretariat.
>
>International START Secretariat
>Attn: Charles S. Kauffman
>\2000 Florida Ave. NW, Suite 200
>Washington, DC 20009 USA
>Tel: 1-202-462-2213
>Fax: 1-202-457-5859
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>Web: www.start.org
>
>Email is the preferred method of communication.
>
>
>
>----------
>Appendix 1 – Financial Guidelines
>
>FINANCIAL GUIDELINES FOR START-FUNDED ACTIVITIES
>
>The following guidelines indicate what costs 
>will and will not be covered by NSF/USCCSP 
>funding and, if funded, to what degree.
>
>1. Basic Principles
>
>As a basic principle, START encourages project 
>proponents to use existing resources, such as 
>employed staff, office space, and equipment to 
>the maximum extent possible, and to have joint financing arrangements.
>
>2. Remuneration
>
>START funding is not available for 
>administrative staff payments or to supplement 
>the pay of existing researchers. Project members 
>may receive part-time staff fees for time spent 
>on the project. The duration of part-time 
>employment should be requested based on the 
>need. The requested amount of remuneration 
>should be reasonable in consideration of the 
>standards of the country and subject to 
>compliance with relevant laws of the country in 
>which the part-time position is located. START 
>funding is not available for any of the costs 
>incurred by the principal investigator based 
>within a developed country. Their contribution 
>(time, materiel, etc.) should be presented as an 
>in-kind contribution within the budget.
>
>3. Equipment
>
>START funding should not be seen as an 
>opportunity to add to normal capital and 
>equipment budgets of organizations. In some 
>cases the most economical way to achieve a 
>temporary increase in capacity needed for a 
>project would be leasing or renting equipment 
>for the duration of the project. This could be included in a proposal.
>
>Where lease or rental are not available, or 
>where the cost of purchase is reasonable in 
>comparison to rental, and it can be demonstrated 
>that the purchases directly support the project 
>objectives, START may consider providing funds 
>for equipment purchase. In the case of projects 
>where equipment is purchased, the ownership of 
>the equipment at the end of the project period 
>must be decided upon and clearly stated in the 
>Contract. Ownership of equipment by project 
>proponents will, in any case, be subject to 
>successful completion of the project.
>
>4. Travel
>
>Where travel is necessary for the performance of 
>the project, the most economical means of 
>transport consistent with effective pursuit of 
>the project should be used. When accurate fares 
>are not known in advance, eighty percent of the 
>normal economy fare may be used for the purpose 
>of budget estimations. More detailed estimates 
>should be used before the project implementation 
>when the Contract is developed. Actual travel 
>costs should be reported after the end of the 
>funded activity, supported with evidence.
>
>Airfare for projects funded through US 
>NSF/USCCSP must be on US Carriers or code-share 
>flights. For more details and exceptions please 
>contact your project representative at the International START Secretariat.
>
>To save costs, project members are always 
>requested to purchase discount tickets. Upgrades 
>to business class are to be done at one’s own 
>expense. Transportation between the airport and 
>hotel may be by the most economical means 
>available, with an upper limit of $30 each way.
>
>START will cover the cost of any airport taxes 
>and other taxes incurred, as well as necessary 
>visas and inoculations. START will not cover 
>telephone calls during travel. Excess baggage 
>fees will be covered only for items necessary to 
>the project. START will not cover expenses 
>incurred from side trips or other items unnecessary to the project.
>
>5. Per Diems
>
>A per diem may be provided to project team 
>members when performance of the project requires 
>them to travel away from their home and spend a 
>full night or more away. The per diem is 
>provided to cover costs of accommodation and a 
>daily allowance. Per diem rates will be 
>consistent with the published US Department of 
>State Per Diem rates for foreign travel on the dates of travel.
>
>6. Other Expenses
>
>Reasonable expenses (such as printing, copying, 
>communication, and rental of meeting rooms) will 
>be permitted by START if they are necessary to 
>the implementation of the project and are documented.
>
>7. Administrative Overheads
>
>Administrative overheads are not permitted under 
>the granting guidelines of the USCCSP. All costs 
>incurred must be enumerated as direct costs. 
>Overheads may be presented in the budget as 
>collateral support from the host institution.
>
>8. Currencies
>
>In general, START will provide funding in US 
>Dollars. Calculations of currency exchange will 
>be based on the international transfer rate in 
>effect on the date of the transaction. Once 
>approved, budgets will not be adjusted to 
>reflect changes in currency rates between time 
>of proposal and time of contract execution.
>
>9. Documentation
>
>Details on required documentation on financial 
>expenditures will be provided in the project 
>contract. Generally, any expenditure will 
>require receipt or invoice. Full financial 
>statements will be required within 60 days of 
>the end of the contract. Funds not expended over 
>the course of the project will be returned to START.
>
>----------
>
>[1] Information about the global change research 
>programmes and their science plans is available from their websites:
>Earth Systems Science Partnership (ESSP) 
><http://www.essp.org/>http://www.essp.org/;
>ESSP is comprised of:
>World Climate Research Programme 
><http://www.wmo.ch/web/wcrp/wcrp-home.html>http://www.wmo.ch/web/wcrp/wcrp-home.html
>International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme 
><http://www.igbp.kva.se/>http://www.igbp.kva.se
>International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change
><http://www.ihdp.uni-bonn.de/>http://www.ihdp.uni-bonn.de
>DIVERSITAS 
><http://www.diversitas-international.org/>http://www.diversitas-international.org
>
>
>
>[]
>