idrc small document english.pdf

7/25/2019 IDRC Small Document English.pdf

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CANADIAN PARTNERSHIPS

SMALL GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE-SHARING

First Call for Concept Notes 2014-2015*

Completed applications, accompanied by all required documentation,

must be submitted no later than 3:59PM (EDT), March 18, 2014

Contents

1. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Rationale and objectives .................................................................................................................. 2

3. Types of funding, budget, duration, and timing of application ....................................................... 4

4. Submission process .......................................................................................................................... 5

5. Eligibility criteria .............................................................................................................................. 5

6. Selection process ............................................................................................................................. 6

7. Format and requirements ................................................................................................................ 7

8. Evaluation criteria ............................................................................................................................ 79. Country clearance requirements ..................................................................................................... 8

10. IDRC standard grant conditions ....................................................................................................... 8

11. Communication of results ................................................................................................................ 8

12. Permission for use and disclosure of information ........................................................................... 8

13. Apply ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)10

*NB: In fiscal year 2014-2015, there will be two calls for this small grants program, one near the

beginning of February 2014 and another near the beginning of August 2014. Each call will be open for

approximately six weeks.


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1.

Background

IDRC is a Crown corporation created in 1970 by the Parliament of Canada. IDRC builds the capacity of

people and institutions in developing countries to undertake the research that they identify as most

urgent. It works with researchers as they confront contemporary challenges within their own countries

and contribute to global advances in their fields.

IDRC supports research in four broad areas, making knowledge a tool for improving lives across the

developing world through the following program areas:

Agriculture and the Environment

Global Health Policy

Social and Economic Policy

Science and Innovation

IDRC builds on decades of work on gender issues, international relations and global governance, and the

role of information and communication technologies in development, and integrates these dimensionsinto all research themes. The Canadian Partnerships Program is unique within IDRC in that it directly and

solely supports Canadianinstitutions.

Canadian Partnerships promotes linkages with Canadian institutions, particularly universities and non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), within the mandate of the IDRC Act: to foster cooperation in

research on development problems between the developed and developing regions for their mutual

benefit.(para. 4(1) (d))

We have a 20-year history of providing support for the Canadian development and research community

to undertake collaborative research and evidence-based dialogue with academics, policymakers, andpractitioners, usually with partners from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), so that these can

more effectively contribute to solving complex global problems. Since 1993, our small grants have been

an important mechanism in achieving this goal.

2.

Rationale and objectives

The Canadian Partnerships (CP) programsSmall Grants for Innovative Research and Knowledge-Sharing

respond to requests from local, regional, national and international organizations based in Canada that

are engaged in producing or sharing research and knowledge for development.

Our aim is to improve Canadians understanding of global development issues that affect Canada and

LMICs and increase the knowledge and skills to address them. We encourage collaboration between

LMICs and higher income countries such as Canada as it can be vital in effectively tackling such issues.

We respond to requests within IDRCsmandate and thematic focus, while occasionally supporting ideas

and activities that may go beyondcurrent thematic priorities.


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Important:We require collaboration between or among Canadian institutions, and we encourage

collaboration across types of institutions (e.g. universities and non-governmental organizations). You

must also provide an explanation of the likely impact of activities within Canada (not only in a

developing country). This latter Canadian dimension may encompass, among other things: influence on

policy and/or practice of Canadian institutions or communities; policy dialogues, workshops, events in

Canada; Canadian students trained; papers and presentations within Canada; course curriculum

developed; strengthening of relationships or partnerships between or among Canadian institutions; or

articles in Canadian journals or media.

Our overall objective for 2010-15 is to strengthen the capacity of the Canadian international

development and research community to carry out research and knowledge-related activities, with the

potential to influence policy and practice, in a collaborative manner across types of institutions and

sectors and with LMIC partners.

We will support proposals that fit with one or more of CPs identified outcome areas:

A. Strong collaboration in research and knowledge-sharing among Canadian institutions and with

counterparts in LMICs

B. Increased contribution of Canadian collaborative research and knowledge to policy and practice of

development actors

C. Improved capacity of Canadian institutions to learn from their experiences and to share lessons

with others

There is no thematic or regional focus in this call. We generally support projects addressing issues of

international development that fall within IDRCs thematic priorities (please visitwww.idrc.ca);

occasionally we will consider innovative ideas that may fall outside of these priorities. Your applicationshould address at least one of the aboveoutcome areas of the CP Program.Some examples are listed

below. Please note that these are listed for illustration only. Other ideas are welcome.

A. Collaboration

Testing new modalities of research partnerships

Collaborative research involving organizations not often associated with research on

international development such as diaspora organizations, professional associations, or public

agencies

Networks that improve access to development research for organizations without this expertise

B.

Influence on policy and practice Researchers sharing knowledge with community associations about development challenges

such as youth alienation or climate change adaptation

Research supporting public awareness about the design, implementation, and review of

development projects, programs, and policies

C. Improving learning capacity

University researchers working with NGOs to analyze their impacts

Virtual platforms for organizations to share lessons from their practices
http://www.idrc.ca/http://www.idrc.ca/http://www.idrc.ca/http://www.idrc.ca/


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Organizations new to IDRC are encouraged to apply. Please read FAQ #7 below for a generic response to

applications received between 2011 and 2013; this may be helpful to current proponents.

3.

Types of funding, budget, duration, and timing of application

This call offers two types of funding:

1)

Support to research, knowledge-building, and knowledge-sharing projects. Budget requests

under this category must be between $15,000 and $60,000.

Knowledge-building or -sharing projects may include conferences, workshops, etc., but are

distinguished from the events category below in that they must be more than an event(s): at

least 50% of the budget must go to non-event activities (e.g. preparation of research papers

leading to a workshop). Related events in this category must (as below) be hosted in large part

by one or more Canadian organizations and grant funds should only rarely be used in support of

the participation of Canadians or people from high-income countries.

2) Support to events and to small dissemination activities and products. Budget requests under this

category must be between $1,000 and $15,000.

Events, usually conferences, workshops, and dialogues. Events must be hosted in large part by

one or more Canadian organizations. Grants are often used to support the active participation of

people from LMICs (e.g., as speakers); support for the participation of Canadians or people from

high-income countries may represent only a small proportion of the total request. (NB: Do not

apply to this competition if you are an individual looking for conference support.)

Dissemination activities and products. Requests for journal support should outline opportunities

for IDRC content or demonstrate over 50% LMIC authorship. Requests for dissemination

activities and products should have formal ties to an IDRC-supported project or network.

As a result of this call, a series of grants in the range of CAD $1,000 to CAD $60,000 will be issued. The

project duration will not exceed 30 months, including all research activities and final reporting. The start

date may be no later than April 1, 2015 and all projects, including submission of reports, must be

completed by March 31, 2017. (Please note that a start date of, for example, April 1, 2015 leaves 24

months for all activities and reporting.)

To allow enough time for the review and possible granting processes:

For applications relating to events and small activities, we insist on a minimumof 140 days

between the deadline of the call and the event or the start of activities to be funded by the IDRC

grant.

For project-based applications, we insist on a minimumof 180 days between the call deadline

and the start of activities.


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NB: These minimum time frames are appropriate for projects or activities that are not complex

or are already well-developed.

IDRCs obligations herein are subject to sufficient funds being made available to IDRC by the Parliament

of Canada.

4.

Submission process

Applications must be submitted by no later than 3:59PM (EDT), March 18, 2014

Applications can be submitted in either English or French.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Applications received before the deadline and deemed by IDRC to be compliant with the requirements

set out in this Call for Concept Notes will be evaluated in accordance with the process outlined herein.

You will receive an automatic email reply acknowledging receipt of your submission. NB: This does not

mean your application met the eligibility criteria.

5.

Eligibility criteria

The primary considerations in selecting projects will be the scientific merit of the concept note and its

potential for development impact, including capacity building. However, the selection of projects may

also be influenced by operational considerations, e.g. Canadian law; knowledge of research settings;

ability to monitor activities; conditions that may make it difficult, costly, dangerous or onerous for IDRC

to carry out its objectives, or exercise proper stewardship of its resources.

a.

Applicant organizations are considered to be those that have legal corporate registration inCanada. IDRC enters into agreement with legal entities only. The requesting institution,

therefore, must be incorporated in Canada and headquartered in Canada (NB: Supporting

documents will be requested should the application be successful).

b. A Canadian collaborating (or partner) organization must be identified along with the likely

impact of activities within Canada (as well as in a developing country).

c. The online application system must be used and all relevant categories within the form must be

completed and clearly written, with all required accompanying documents attached.

d. The proposed duration must be no more than 30 months. The start date may be no later than

April 1, 2015 and all projects, including submission of reports, must be completed by March 31,

2017.

e. The time available for review and start-up (e.g., obtaining visas) must be reasonable and must

respect the minimum timelines as set out in section 3 above

f.

The budget should be realistic, within CP-set limits, and include clear budget notes.

Only concept notes that meet the eligibility criteria above will be considered.

IDRC reserves the right to cancel the process at any time without prior notice and/or at its discretion to

grant all or none of the awards under this process.


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This call is open to Canadian organizations and individuals may not apply.Organizations should not apply

for a project or activity that is centred on an individual (e.g. consultancies, sabbaticals)or that act

essentially as student or post-doctoral awards. Such individuals may be part of a project, but

associated costs may not make up the majority of a budget.

Only in exceptional cases should salary costs be more than 20 25% of the budget and in general, the

total of salary costs and consultancy fees and the like, should not represent over 50% of the budget

request to IDRC.

IDRC will not support activities that can be described as advocacy.

Only one organization may apply to administer the funds. Funds may be disbursed by the administering

institution to one or more collaborating organizations. This must be clearly outlined in the budget. In

exceptional circumstances, an organization may request funds on behalf of another if the organization

that will carry out the activity is not incorporated or is not equipped to manage the funds (e.g. some

student-run organizations); however, this latter must still be Canadian.

Priority will be given to organizations (or units within universities) that do not hold an active grant from

any part of IDRC.

We will only accept one application per institution (or per institutional unit in a university) per call. See

FAQ #3 below for further clarification.

6.

Selection process

There is a two-stage selection process:

1) Canadian Partnerships staff will review eligible applications and create a shortlist using the

evaluation criteria below.

2) Applicant organizations whose concept notes are shortlisted will be asked to submit a full

proposal or to edit their concept note, based on reviewers comments. Final funding decisions

will be made by the CP program team.

We expect to approve between eight and fifteen applications in any given round, but the exact number

of grants awarded will be determined by the quality of applications received and the cumulative cost of

each proposal. In round 3 of 2013-2014 (December 2013), 56 applications were received and of these

10 have been shortlisted.

In fiscal year 2014-2015, there will be two calls for this small grants program, one near the beginning of

February 2014 and another near the beginning of August 2014. Each call will be open for approximately

six weeks. Announcements and deadlines for each call will be posted online on the IDRC Competitions

page- or follow us onFacebookorTwitter.
http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.facebook.com/idrc.crdihttp://www.facebook.com/idrc.crdihttp://www.facebook.com/idrc.crdihttp://www.twitter.com/idrc_crdihttp://www.twitter.com/idrc_crdihttp://www.twitter.com/idrc_crdihttp://www.twitter.com/idrc_crdihttp://www.facebook.com/idrc.crdihttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Competitions/Pages/default.aspx


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7.

Format and requirements

Applications should be concise and must be presented using the online application system (link provided

below).

When appropriate, please attachone-pagebiographies of the proposed team members and not full

academic CVs (at this stage).

Tentative budgets should include projected expenses per budget category (as per IDRC eligible

expenses)as outlined in the instructionsprovided.

8. Evaluation criteria

Applications will be assessed on the following four criteria:

1.

Relevance and Fit:relevance of the research or activity to the identified development issue

and to the network of Canadians working on, or interested in the issue. Fit with IDRC prioritiesand Canadian Partnerships outcome areas.Clear demonstration of how the research or

activity will add value to existing knowledge and/or practice, citing past work done on the

theme by the applicant organization and by other researchers. Evidence of collaboration

within Canada and of clear impact in Canada (see top of page 3).

2. Merit: evidence of innovation, clarity of research questions and objectives, conceptual

soundness, soundness and adequacy of design and methodology (including field data

gathering, processing and analysis). Clearly explained interdisciplinary and participatory

approaches to research. Applications for events and for dissemination activities and products

should provide as much detail as possible on: terms of reference for texts or presentations

commissioned prior to the event, the program and process of the event or activity, and

possible post-activity follow-up.

3. Usefulness: evidence of clear need and demand for research and/or knowledge-sharing on the

issue. Clear and feasible plan to disseminate findings/proceedings to a variety of

players/stakeholders. Clear explanation of how the proposed research/event will build

capacity, inform decision-making, and/or influence practice and learning by groups or

organizations to benefit from the project, including the grant recipient itself.

4. Feasibility: suitability of applicant team. Realistic and well-supported budget. Sound plan and

activities for monitoring and evaluating progress toward proposed outcomes (changes in

awareness, will and behaviour on part of groups or organizations to benefit from the project,

including the grant recipient itself). Viable work plan with roles and responsibilities of lead and

collaborating organizations clearly defined. Evidence that the proponents can mobilize the

necessary collaboration and funding to ensure the success of the project and efficient use of

financial resources.


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Final selection will also take into considerationour aims of supporting research and knowledge-sharing

1) in multiple thematic areas; 2) in diverse regions of Canada; 3) across institutions and institutional

types; 4) in organizations new to IDRC; 5) in support of efforts that give attention to transdisciplinarity

and social and gender equity issues; and 6) in which a relationship with IDRC may itself carry the

potential for capacity-building of the team and institutions involved.

9.

Country clearance requirements

IDRC has conducted general agreements for scientific and technical cooperation with a number of

governments. These agreements establish the framework for IDRC cooperation with that country by

defining the rights and obligations of both IDRC and the government. As such, the applicant institution

may be required to obtain country approval in accordance with these agreements prior to receiving

funding from IDRC. This requirement should only rarely be necessary and only for approved applications.

10.

IDRC standard grant conditions

Any selected proponents shall be required to sign IDRCs standard grant agreement, as amended by

IDRC from time to time. For a sample of the general terms and conditions, please refer to the following

link: Sample of terms and conditions

11.

Communication of results

May 30, 2014: Date by whichallcandidates will be contacted; shortlistedapplicants will receive

comments and a request to edit their concept note or submit a full proposal. Final approvals for those

involved in this latter iterative stage will be done on a case-by-case basis.

Only shortlisted candidates will receive comments on their concept note. A generic response has been

written based on applications received between 2011 and 2013; please read FAQ #7 below. This may

also help you as you prepare your submission.

12.

Permission for use and disclosure of information

By way of submitting an application under this Call for competitive grants, the applicant consents to the

disclosure of the documents submitted by the applicant to the reviewers involved in the selection

process, both within IDRC and externally. The applicant further consents to the disclosure of the name

of the applicant, the name of the lead researcher and the name of the proposed project, in any

announcement of selected proposals.

All personal information collected by IDRC about grant, scholarship and fellowship applicants is used to

review applications, to administer and monitor awards, and to promote and support international

development research in Canada and in the regions where IDRC operates. Consistent with these

purposes, applicants should expect that information collected by IDRC may come to be used and

disclosed in IDRC supported activities.
http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Guides_and_Forms/Documents/MGC-Att-A-e.pdfhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Guides_and_Forms/Documents/MGC-Att-A-e.pdfhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Funding/Guides_and_Forms/Documents/MGC-Att-A-e.pdf


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13.Click here toApply/View Forms

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

These include information that could make your application stronger.

If you still have questions, please write [email protected].

Canadian Partnerships website
http://idrc-crdi-cpgrant-subventionpc.myreviewroom.com/http://idrc-crdi-cpgrant-subventionpc.myreviewroom.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.idrc.ca/EN/Programs/Canadian_Partnerships/Pages/About.aspxhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Programs/Canadian_Partnerships/Pages/About.aspxmailto:[email protected]://idrc-crdi-cpgrant-subventionpc.myreviewroom.com/


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4)

Why does the permitted duration change between calls?

As the year progresses, the amount of time available to the project decreases, as the IDRC

financial mechanism which funds it approaches its own three-year deadline for closurebeyond

which it cannot continue funding the project. Please note that the time between the latest

possible start date and the latest possible end date may be less than the longest possible

duration for any one call. (E.g.: If the duration in one call is said to be 21 months and the latest

end date is March 31 two years hence, then if you wait to start in December, you will only have

16 months available. Please be careful in your calculations as you could easily make your

application ineligible.)

5) Is there a list of eligible countries where my organization can work or have partners?

No, we do not have such a list; however, we only support work and partners in LMICs (as per the

latest OECD Development Assistance Committee list ofODA-eligible countries)and we do not

generally support work in Russia, Eastern Europe or Central Asia (stans).

6) Will it pose a problem if my project involves work in a higher risk country?

It may. Any eligible concept note involving activities in one of the attachedlistof higher risk

countries will be reviewed with particular attention to risk mitigation strategies. Once a concept

note has been reviewed and short-listed, it will then require special approval of an IDRC Vice-

President, to determine whether it will be: a. allowed; b. modified or restricted before a grant

can be awarded; or c. prohibited.

7) Why was my application rejected?

We cannot provide individual comments to all proponents, but we have noticed some patterns

that we can comment on. These could be of interest to those who have already applied, but also

to those considering applying in a future round.

a) As we reach out to organizations new to IDRC, we encounter people and organizations who

are very competent in their field, but who are not used to working on applied

interdisciplinary research. We will not support pure hard science projects. We are

interested in projects that may involve hard sciencebut these must be interdisciplinaryin

nature (with clearly integrated social science components). We also encourage research

using participatory approaches, that is, we expect you to include, as appropriate, in the

design and/or the execution of research and in the follow-up, those who may be involved on

the ground (e.g. beneficiaries, decision makers, local researchers, extension workers,

etc.). You should, when possible, include plans for dissemination of results that activelyencourage the uptake of results and learning.

b) We are not interested in solo institution efforts. We strongly encourage collaboration

among institutions, and particularly across types of institutions (e.g. university and

NGO). Being the Canadian Partnerships Program, we require collaboration within Canada.

This means there must be at least two Canadian organizations involved in any project: the

Canadian lead administering organization anda Canadian collaborating organization. You
http://www.oecd.org/document/45/0,3746,en_2649_34447_2093101_1_1_1_1,00.htmlhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Documents/List%20of%20Higher%20Risk%20Countries%20and%20Territories%20July%202013.pdfhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Documents/List%20of%20Higher%20Risk%20Countries%20and%20Territories%20July%202013.pdfhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Documents/List%20of%20Higher%20Risk%20Countries%20and%20Territories%20July%202013.pdfhttp://www.idrc.ca/EN/Documents/List%20of%20Higher%20Risk%20Countries%20and%20Territories%20July%202013.pdfhttp://www.oecd.org/document/45/0,3746,en_2649_34447_2093101_1_1_1_1,00.html


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may have as many other partnering organizations as you like, whether Canadian or from

LMICs.

c) Carefully consider the Canadian dimensions or ripple effect of your project or activity: tell

us what will happen in Canada as a result of your work (within the collaborating

organizations and beyond). We privilege applications that indicate impact in Canada andin

LMICs.

d)

Some applicants in the past have proposed to use CP small grants to essentially fund

graduate student field work. Although we welcome the participation of graduate students

on research teams of projects that we fund, CP will not support applications for research

exclusively or mostly to be carried out by doctoral or masters students. IDRC`s Fellowships

and Awards Program is the one Program specifically mandated to support graduate

students research.

e)

We are very interested in the evaluation and monitoringcomponents of projects and by

this we do not mean a simple ex-post list of the numbers of people attending meetings or

the numbers of articles produced, presented, etc. (although these are important facts to

capture). We challenge proponents to consider creative ways to self-monitor throughout

the life of a project and we encourage evaluation activities that consider issues such as use

and practice.

f) Our third outcome area is concerned with learningand we encourage proponents to reflect

on learning arising from your project. This does not relate to research findings but to your

lived experience of the project: we encourage reflective thinking on how your own, and your

partners experience from this project and others related to it will be monitored and

reviewed to possibly improve directions or operations of your program, your unit, or your

organization as a whole.

Consider: Any self-evaluations to identify critical organizational learning from this project?

Any use of lessons for modifying directions and operations? Any challenges and

opportunities in doing so? Any lessons to be shared with larger communities in Canada

and/or abroad?

You may want to reflect and assess the quality of aspects such as:

* how partners were identified

* how the research agenda was developed

* how expectations of the various partners were agreed upon

* how associates actually contributed to the project

* how roles and responsibilities were assigned and carried out

* how resources were used and activities implemented

* how results were validated, disseminated and taken up

The goal is to learn from experience and signal possible adjustments to your approach in the

future, as a result of these lessons.


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g) The competition for these grants is quite high and you should ensure that your application is

as robust as possible. This also means ensuring that partnerships or collaborations are

already established and identified and that event programs/agendas are as complete as

possible. Availability of funding from other sources is a plus.