Statement and Schedule

(Date limit for receiving applications at the ICSU Secretariat: 1 March 2003)
 

A. Objectives

The ICSU Grants Programme supports collaborative scientific initiatives of the ICSU "family" in order to promote international scientific and technological activities that contribute to the benefit and well-being of society. A major part of the ICSU Grants Programme money is derived from funds contributed by UNESCO and the US National Academy of Sciences, marking their support to strengthening the scientific work associated with their respective science programmes.

The ICSU Grants Programme is a competitive peer-reviewed programme. Proposals should target ICSU priority themes and involve active participation of more than one ICSU member.

B. Priority themes for 2004

Proposals for Programme 2004 must focus on the themes listed below which are similar to those for 2003 and as defined by the ICSU Committee on Scientific Planning and Review. Proposed activities should involve scientists from the global scientific community, across scientific disciplines and national borders. Activities that promote the involvement of young scientists, women, and scientists from developing countries are encouraged. Activities directly related to follow-up action to the ICSU/UNESCO World Conference on Science and the World Summit on Sustainable Development will also be particularly welcome.

Applicants are expected to develop joint activities and to collaborate with other eligible bodies, as well as with the International Scientific Associates, National Scientific Members and National Scientific Associates in preparing and submitting proposals.

Applications from individual ICSU members in isolation are not eligible for funding..

The ICSU Priority Themes for the Programme 2004 are:

• Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

ICSU intends to play a greater and more proactive role in promoting the advancement of science and technology that will support the sustainable development of the global society. Proposals for new initiatives addressing global-scale issues (e.g. environment, energy, megacities, food security, etc.) are welcome.
 

• Capacity Building and Science Education

ICSU will give preference to proposals for the development of specific capacity building and education projects. Initiatives to facilitate the involvement of the scientific community in initial and in-service training of science teachers are also of interest. ICSU will not normally support travel grants to attend standard scientific meetings and conferences, nor support fellowship programmes.
 

• Science / Policy Interface

ICSU gives high priority to its role as an advisory body to policy/decision-makers, so as to enable science to play a greater role in responding to major challenges of the global society. Proposals for activities to enhance the role of the scientific community in providing scientific advice to the non-academic world (policy-makers, industry, media, the public, etc.) are encouraged. Proposals for review or assessment of scientific issues related to policy formation, including identification of gaps are also welcome.
 

• Dissemination of Data Information on Science and Technology

ICSU plays a leading role in addressing issues related to dissemination of scientific data and information for the advancement of research and education. Proposals in these areas should address emerging issues of concern to the scientific community. Such issues include data access, including Intellectual Property Rights, and the impact of recent developments in information technology. However, it should be noted that under the grants programme ICSU will not normally support the setting up or maintenance of web sites and journals.
 

• Emerging Science and Technology -- Creation of New Knowledge

ICSU continues to be committed to the advancement of the frontiers of science. Proposals for innovative endeavors to develop initiatives to explore new frontiers of science and technology at the interface between different disciplines are welcome. The ICSU Grants programme will not support regular laboratory and field-based research projects that are normally funded by research funding agencies.
 

The CSPR has also agreed that it would be ready to consider the possible awarding of Category 1 grants (ranging between US$50,000-US$100,000) that may require more than one year to implement, if appropriate, and well justified in the application.

C. Selection Process and Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed in terms of scientific merit, relevance to the ICSU priority themes; innovation, visible and measurable outputs, potential for developing and follow-on activities, interdisciplinary and international nature, and the impact of the ICSU support on the proposed activity.

Based on experience over the past three years, the CSPR wishes to draw the attention of applicants to the importance of proposals providing sufficient information on how the proposed objectives will be effectively achieved within the financial resources available. A number of proposals in the past have not provided adequate information concerning the proposed implementation plan.

Each proposal will be reviewed independently by at least three members of CSPR and external reviewers, if necessary. The final grading and ranking of proposals is done by all CSPR members in Committee

The ICSU Executive Board will make the final decisions on awards upon the recommendations of the CSPR. Results will be announced soon after the approval of the Executive Board and every effort will be made to ensure that funds are transferred to awardees in early 2004.

D. Lead Applicant and Supporting Applicant

In order to encourage joint proposals, involving more than one ICSU member for collaborative activities, a new concept of 'lead applicant' and 'supporting applicant' was introduced in 2002. Each application must have one lead applicant, who will assume the principal responsibility concerning the proposal, and must collaborate with at least one, or preferably, several supporting applicants. The roles of respective partners in preparing and carrying out the work must be made clear in the application and supporting letters.

Who can be the lead applicants and supporting applicants?

Lead Applicants can be ICSU International Scientific Unions, the Interdisciplinary Bodies and Joint Initiatives.

Supporting Applicants can be any of the above as well as International Scientific Associates, National Scientific Members and National Scientific Associates.

Note: A proposal submitted by a lead applicant without a supporting applicant will be declared 'ineligible' No subgroups of lead applicants are eligible to be supporting applicants International Scientific Associates, National Scientific Members and National Scientific Associates are not eligible to be lead applicants

Number of applications per Lead Applicant

Lead Applicants may submit no more than two applications under Category I and two applications under Category 2. They may also act as 'supporting applicants' for up to five applications in Category 1 and up to three applications in Category 2.

Number of applications for supporting applicants

The International Scientific Associates, the National Scientific Members and National Scientific Associates may be supporting applicants for up to five proposals under Category 1 and three proposals under Category 2 in collaboration with a 'Lead Applicant'. They may not be a lead applicant.

How to submit applications

• All Applications must be submitted on formal ICSU application forms and sent to the ICSU Secretariat, 51 Boulevard de Montmorency, 75016 Paris, France, or by Email: rohini@icsu.org

• The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 March 2003. Applications received after the said date will not be considered under the Grants Programme.

• All applications must be submitted by the Lead Applicant and bear the signatures of respective Officer's including letters of endorsement from supporting applicants.

Guidelines for Applicants as well as Reasons for unsuccessful proposals are attached as Annexes 1 and 2. These were lessons drawn from the past by CSPR and were presented to the General Assembly in Rio.

Reporting Obligations

The grant recipients must submit a detailed report on activity as well as an itemized financial statement in March 2005.

For further information on the Grants Programme please contact

Rohini Rao

International Council for Science (ICSU)

51 Boulevard de Montmorency

75016 Paris, France

(rohini@icsu.org).
 
 

Annex 1

Lead Applicant (Organization) __________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

___________________________________________________________________________

Contact name & Designation ___________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

___________________________________________________________________________

Email address _______________________________________________________________

Supporting Applicant(s) (Organization(s) _________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

___________________________________________________________________________

Contact name & Designation __________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

___________________________________________________________________________

Email address _______________________________________________________________

Title of activity: _____________________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

___________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the application form, please provide a detailed proposal (4-6 pages maximum) for the activity including an estimated budget indicating the breakdown of grant requested and nature of activity (meeting/training course etc).

Please identify the category in which the main objective of proposed activity best fits:
 

a. Science and technology for sustainable development
b. Capacity building in science education
c. Science / Policy Interface
d. Dissemination of scientific information
e. Emerging science and technology creation of new knowledge
f. Others

Priority themes: If the proposal reflects one of the priority themes of ICSU please explain how it will support an ICSU action in that area.

Principal beneficiaries of the activity: ____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Location and proposed schedule of the activity _____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Collaboration with other international organizations ________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Brief information on the budget of the activity:

a) Amount requested from the ICSU Grants Programme: US $

Estimated breakdown of the grant requested and nature of activity

(meeting/training course /others (specify):

b) Amount provided from your own sources: US $

c) Amount to be provided from sources other than (a) and (b)* US $

d) Total cost of activity: US $

* Please provide a breakdown indicating all source(s) and amounts:

Documents to be enclosed to this form:

1. Outline of the proposed activity (4-6 pages maximum). Explain how the activity fits within the ICSU priority themes listed in the ICSU Grants Programme Statement & Schedule for 2004 highlighting its relevance to the review criteria innovation, interdisciplinary and international nature, visible and measurable outputs, etc. If the activity targets young scientists, women scientists and scientists from developing countries please refer to it here.

2. Detailed budget showing income and expenditure for the entire project. Please include an estimated breakdown of expenditure and the nature of activity (fellowships, participation in meetings, research or training activities) for the amount requested.

3. Work Plan for the activity - time schedule, major events, methodologies to be used, leadership and management structure, and key milestones in the implementation process, etc.

4. Expected outcomes of the activity: publications, new programme initiatives, etc.

5. Specific reasons for this application explain how the ICSU grants will support your own overall programme of work, e.g., leveraging funds from other sources, enhancing visibility, enhancing impact or role of your organisation.

6. Assessment of potential follow-on action which may result from the activity.

Print or write clearly the names, designation and contact information of the responsible Officers of proposing ICSU bodies.

Lead Applicant

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Supporting Applicant

1.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Supporting Applicant

2.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Letter(s) of endorsement from representative(s) of supporting bodies will be accepted and must be received at the ICSU Secretariat no later than 1 March 2003.
 
 

Annex 2

Lead Applicant (Organization) ____________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Contact name & Designation ___________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Email address ____________________________________________________________________

Supporting Applicant(s) (Organization(s) _________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

_________________________________________________________________________________

Contact name & Designation __________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

________________________________________________________________________________

Email address __________________________________________________________________

Title of activity: _____________________________________________________________

(Print or write clearly)

________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the application form, please provide a detailed proposal (4-6 pages maximum) for the activity including an estimated budget indicating the breakdown of grant requested and nature of activity (meeting/training course etc).

Please identify the category in which the main objective of proposed activity best fits:
 

a. Science and technology for sustainable development
b. Capacity building in science education
c. Science / Policy Interface
d. Dissemination of scientific information
e. Emerging science and technology creation of new knowledge
f. Others

Priority themes: If the proposal reflects one of the priority themes of ICSU explain how it will support an ICSU action in that area.

Principal beneficiaries of the activity: __________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Location and proposed schedule of the activity ____________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Collaboration with other international organizations ______________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Brief information on the budget of the activity:

a) Amount requested from the ICSU Grants Programme: US $

Estimated breakdown of the grant requested and nature of activity

(meeting/training course /others (specify):

b) Amount provided from your own sources: US $

c) Amount to be provided from sources other than (a) and (b)* US $

d) Total cost of activity: US $

* Please provide a breakdown indicating all source(s) and amounts:

Documents to be enclosed to this form
<

1. Outline of the proposed activity (4-6 pages). Explain how the activity fits within the ICSU priority themes listed in the ICSU Grants Programme Statement & Schedule for 2004 highlighting its relevance to the review criteria innovation, interdisciplinary and international nature, visible and measurable outputs, etc. If the activity targets young scientists, women scientists and scientists from developing countries please refer to it here.

2. Detailed budget showing income and expenditure for the entire project. Please include an estimated breakdown of expenditure and the nature of activity (fellowships, participation in meetings, research or training activities) for the amount requested.

3. Work Plan for the activity - time schedule, major events, methodologies to be used, leadership and management structure, and key milestones in the implementation process, etc.

4. Expected outcomes of the activity: publications, new programme initiatives, etc.

5. Specific reasons for this application explain how the ICSU grant will support your own overall programme of work, e.g., leveraging funds from other sources, enhancing visibility, enhancing impact or role of your organization.

6. Assessment of potential follow-on action which may result from the activity.

Print or write clearly the names, designation and contact information of the responsible Officers of proposing ICSU bodies.

Lead Applicant

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Supporting Applicant

1.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Supporting Applicant

2.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Designation / Organization

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature Date

(President / Secretary General)

Mailing address: Telephone

Telefax

Email

Letter(s) of endorsement from representative(s) of supporting bodies will be accepted and must be received at the ICSU Secretariat no later than 1 March 2003.