The Think Tank Initiative invites applications from independent organizations in Latin America and South Asia that are committed to using research to inform and influence social and economic policy. The Initiative will provide multi-year core funding and technical support to successful think tanks.
Key Dates
Call Launched: July 27, 2009
Deadline to Register to Apply: September 21, 2009
Expressions of Interest Due: September 28, 2009
Shortlisted Applicants Contacted: January 2010
Successful Applicants Announced: June 2010
Eligibility
The Think Tank Initiative announces the launch of its Call for Expressions of Interest in the following countries in Latin America and South Asia:
Latin America: Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru
South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
The Initiative invites independent policy research institutions in these countries to submit Expressions of Interest that identify long-term strategies to:
Develop their own robust research agenda;
Increase their ability to inform and influence policy; and,
Improve key aspects of their organizational performance.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Possess a track record of rigorous research and analysis on national social and economic policy issues related to growth, equity and poverty reduction; this precludes institutions whose work is focused exclusively on one sector or policy issue; and,
Be committed to using research to inform national public debate and to create spaces for discussion and new ideas;
Be existing non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations legally founded and registered as independent entities in the country of operation.
Further details are available here.
Funding Available
The Think Tank Initiative will make a series of core grants to cover operating and research costs as well as institutional strengthening activities. Grants will provide up to 30 percent of an institution’s overall budget over the funding period. Initially, core grants will be either a four-year grant or a two-year renewable grant combined with tailored capacity development support to address key weaknesses.
Up to 15 institutions per region are expected to qualify for support as a result of this Call.
Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest should be submitted online. Please refer to the application form for further details. Applicants will be requested to answer several questions, and, in general, the review panel will be looking for:
A description of the organization, its vision and mission, and its commitment to undertake organizational improvement;
A brief description of current research areas, significant achievements and future research agenda;
A description of current and future partners, stakeholders and users of their research;
An overview of how the institution anticipates making use of support from this Initiative (e.g., kinds of improvements to be introduced).
Additional information and documentation is also requested to support the application.
Information
For more information please see the “Call for Expressions of Interest” document and the other sections of this website. All enquiries should be addressed to: thinktank@idrc.ca.
Brief: The initiative will fund 15 organizations in each region and the support will be either for a full- four-year period or for two-year renewal term. The application forms can be submitted online via website or email. The last date to apply for the initiative is 28 September 2009. However, since prior registration is required for all applying organizations, the registration will close on 21 September 2009. Registration can be made online via the website.
Deadline Date: 28 September 2009
Eligiable countries: South Asia and Latin America
Source: http://www.idrc.ca/thinktank/ev-125667-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
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