“Enabling Bio-Innovation For Poverty Alleviation in Asia” is a competitive research grants awarding program supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC, Asia Regional Office, Singapore) in partnership with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT,Thailand). The project aims to stimulate and enable research on bio-innovation in Asia that addresses poverty alleviation, and to initiate and support the building of a network of researchers and scholars committed to understanding and enhancing bio-innovation towards economically progressive and socially responsible goals.
This research grants competition on bio-innovation for poverty alleviation in Asia is premised on two key insights from earlier meetings and publications1. First, there is little known about patterns and characteristics of bio-innovation systems operating in the region and their social dynamics. Second, there is little understanding about how these existing bio-innovation systems actually affect poverty or are able to support poverty alleviation goals.
There are important reasons why it is urgent to address these knowledge gaps on bioinnovations
in the region. While developing Asia has made great progress in cutting the overall rate of poverty since the 1990s (largely as a result of poverty reduction in China, and a few SEA countries), the poverty rate still stands at 42.2% or a headcount of 843 million people (ADB 2008 Poverty Survey based on PPP)2. By most predictions this estimate will likely worsen in the context of the current global recession. On the other hand, biotechnology, one of the two engines of growth in the new economy3 is being promoted and spreading in many developing countries in Asia in a manner that seems to overlook the needs and potential gains of the poor. There is a valid and growing concern that current biotechnology development and innovations are being shaped and harnessed exclusively by transnational businesses and domestic big private agribusiness enterprises for purely profit accumulation, thus may be widening inequality in many societies.
in the region. While developing Asia has made great progress in cutting the overall rate of poverty since the 1990s (largely as a result of poverty reduction in China, and a few SEA countries), the poverty rate still stands at 42.2% or a headcount of 843 million people (ADB 2008 Poverty Survey based on PPP)2. By most predictions this estimate will likely worsen in the context of the current global recession. On the other hand, biotechnology, one of the two engines of growth in the new economy3 is being promoted and spreading in many developing countries in Asia in a manner that seems to overlook the needs and potential gains of the poor. There is a valid and growing concern that current biotechnology development and innovations are being shaped and harnessed exclusively by transnational businesses and domestic big private agribusiness enterprises for purely profit accumulation, thus may be widening inequality in many societies.
Relevant dimensions of bio-innovation.This research program departs from a dominant techno-centric view of bio-innovation in Asia, which vests too much autonomy and power to the physical technology itself as the driving force of technology diffusion, ignoring the social contexts, the relevant social groups and the institutional factors that are involved and that enable (or constrain) innovation.
This program views innovation as the widespread generation and utilization of knowledge in society involving the following features: interaction of diverse research and non-research organizations, individuals and groups; combinations of technological and institutional innovations; continuous evolutionary cycles of learning; shifting roles of information producers, users and a need based exchange of knowledge; and an institutional context that supports interactions, learning and knowledge flows. Innovation therefore is a social process involving and interlinking individuals and groups nested and operating in various domains or components such as: the research domain (e.g. R&D, universities, and private laboratories); enterprise domain (e.g. seed firms and vaccine manufacturing); demand domain (e.g. farmerusers, urban poor residents, primary health centers); and policy domain (e.g. government agencies; international protocols; policies specific to industry and agriculture, or public health and safety).
In line with this framework, the call for proposals thus urges applicants to focus their inquiry, among others, on the following questions:
- Who are the market, non-market, state, and non-state organizations, individuals and groups engaged in the bio-innovation process? How are they inter-linked or expected to inter-link with each other? What are their respective stakes in bioinnovation? Are there coalitions, competitions and/or conflicts between them? In particular, what is the stake of the poor in the process?
- How and at what levels are relevant decisions being made? Whose voice counts in identifying problems and bio-innovation processes and solutions? Whose voice/s is un-, under-, or mis-represented in crucial planning, policy formulation, and public resource allocation associated with the bio-innovation? How are the poor’s needs expressed and represented?
- Whose (human, financial, social, natural, political) resources are being invested in the bio-innovation? For what specific purpose or functions? Whose resources, on the other hand, are being deliberately not deployed, and why? What are the legal or regulatory mechanisms that promote or impede certain types of investments in bioinnovation?
- What are the incentives and disincentives in the participation of various parties in bioinnovation process? Especially, from the end-users’ or from the demand side (the poor and their most immediate providers of service, in this particular case), what are the incentives or disincentives involved in the generation of (say, specific protocols for markers or surrogate carriers, or for products like enzymes), and the adoption of a technological innovation?
- What are the bio-innovation impacts on the poor – particularly, in terms of certain improvements in their quality of life, access and acquisition of knowledge and skills important to improving their health and livelihoods, and in building social capital in communities and localities? What kinds of policy and institutional changes enable awareness among the poor about the potential benefits and risks associated with bio-innovation (say, pharmacovigilance programmes, bio-safety monitoring associations, etc.)?
On the poverty focusThe program is chiefly interested in bio-innovations demonstrated to be directly relevant to the social phenomenon of poverty – whether alleviating, worsening or creating new forms of poverty. We also further narrow the scope of poverty to two important areas: – on poor people’s livelihoods and basic health.
Poor people’s livelihoods includes both natural resource-based (e.g cultivation, livestock) and non natural resource based activities (e.g. rural enterprises, rural trade, urban informal sector occupations), that are practiced in multiple localities that span rural, peri-urban and urban spaces. Their livelihood platforms harness assets (i.e., natural, physical, human, financial and social capital), and are highly vulnerable and insecure in the face of shocks (such as drought, floods or diseases), and in the context of broader secular trends (such as market and price changes), and risks (such as seasonality or climate change-induced). The subject area of poor people’s basic health includes their health status (such as infant and child mortality, child nutritional level, and fertility), use of basic health services (immunization, treatment of common illnesses, antenatal care and assisted delivery); and health behaviors (e.g. smoking alcohol use and sexual practices). Investigation of the components of the bio-innovation system should principally shed light on how these bear on poor peoples’ state of livelihoods and basic health. Link between bioinnovation and poverty can be examined and demonstrated as equity impacts or as patterns of inclusion/exclusion in or impacts of the bio-innovation processes and certain domains. The latter, in turn, may feedback as factors contributing to the weakness, strength, and stability of the existing bio-innovation system.
Context, and ex-post and ex-ante issuesA bio-innovation system is a web of mutually interacting individuals and relevant groups in various domains that is generally too complex to be adequately understood from a contextindependentperspective. This research therefore encourages richly textured descriptions
and analysis of the relevant contexts at play in the system’s functioning and outcomes.
and analysis of the relevant contexts at play in the system’s functioning and outcomes.
Examination of the relevant groups and domains, their inter-relationships, and dynamics of the bio-innovation system, and their association or causal relationship with poor people’s livelihoods and health status are generally ex-post studies. Lessons, understandings and theoretical insights should be derived from particular past or ongoing case experience/s in a given context. However, attempts at ex-ante projections and evidence-based policy prescriptions are welcome, to lay the groundwork for the development of pro-poor bioinnovations.
Eligibility for Potential Partners
The Bio-innovations Asia Small Grant Competition is open to individual researchers and groups/organizations interested in the subject of bio-innovations for poverty alleviation in the Asian Region.
The Bio-innovations Asia Small Grant Competition is open to individual researchers and groups/organizations interested in the subject of bio-innovations for poverty alleviation in the Asian Region.
Groups/organizations must be duly registered entities, eligible for entering into contracts. Individual researchers must be affiliated with an academic institution, civil society organization or association, business organization or association, community organization or organized group.
Research Funding
The Program is extending grants of up to 18,000 CAD. Microgrants will also be awarded (up to 2,000 CAD) for writing unpublished papers based on a case relevant to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal. Grants will be awarded to projects that can be completed within one (1) year, unless otherwise indicated in the proposal.
The Program is extending grants of up to 18,000 CAD. Microgrants will also be awarded (up to 2,000 CAD) for writing unpublished papers based on a case relevant to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal. Grants will be awarded to projects that can be completed within one (1) year, unless otherwise indicated in the proposal.
Application Procedure
Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter of intent (maximum of 2 pages) introducing the applicant (individual or organization), explaining the proposed research project, and its relevance to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal.
Short-listed applicants will be requested to submit a 10 to 15 page fully developed research proposal.
Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter of intent (maximum of 2 pages) introducing the applicant (individual or organization), explaining the proposed research project, and its relevance to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal.
Short-listed applicants will be requested to submit a 10 to 15 page fully developed research proposal.
Basic Outline of the Research Proposal
Applications for research funds can only be evaluated and selected if a complete and well-argued proposal complies with the following outline and components:
a) Title Page
The working title of the proposal should be straightforward, clear and concise.
Applications for research funds can only be evaluated and selected if a complete and well-argued proposal complies with the following outline and components:
a) Title Page
The working title of the proposal should be straightforward, clear and concise.
b) Introduction (1-2 pages max.)
Introduction should give the basic background information about the case to be investigated and its practical, policy or theoretical significance in relation to the central theme.
Introduction should give the basic background information about the case to be investigated and its practical, policy or theoretical significance in relation to the central theme.
c) Statement of the Problem (1 page max.)
This section should summarize the core issue/s being explored or knowledge deficits being addressed, or understood, and lessons and policy prescriptions likely to be drawn. This will normally consist of a few paragraphs that present a concise statement of the research problem to be investigated and nature of likely solutions to be proposed (which may have desired impacts on poor peoples livelihoods or health). This will also require reference to some literature, such as reports of previous research in the field or related areas --both academic and non-academic and some official statistics and/or other reliable secondary sources.
This section should summarize the core issue/s being explored or knowledge deficits being addressed, or understood, and lessons and policy prescriptions likely to be drawn. This will normally consist of a few paragraphs that present a concise statement of the research problem to be investigated and nature of likely solutions to be proposed (which may have desired impacts on poor peoples livelihoods or health). This will also require reference to some literature, such as reports of previous research in the field or related areas --both academic and non-academic and some official statistics and/or other reliable secondary sources.
d) Research Objectives (1 page max.)
This should discuss the following: (a) what are the expected ways by which existing knowledge or notions about the call will be enhanced; (b) how will this enhanced knowledge lead to positive actions or policy initiatives in the relevant sector (health or pro-poor livelihood).
This should discuss the following: (a) what are the expected ways by which existing knowledge or notions about the call will be enhanced; (b) how will this enhanced knowledge lead to positive actions or policy initiatives in the relevant sector (health or pro-poor livelihood).
e) Research Plan and Methods (2 pages max)
This should present an outline and brief discussion of the way the research will be conducted. Included in this part are the sources, types and forms of data needed to fulfill the tasks and objectives set in the research project, the method of selecting the data (including sampling design when appropriate) and the methods of collecting, reducing and analyzing the data. Indicate and justify why this research is employing a quantitative, qualitative or mixed method procedures.
This should present an outline and brief discussion of the way the research will be conducted. Included in this part are the sources, types and forms of data needed to fulfill the tasks and objectives set in the research project, the method of selecting the data (including sampling design when appropriate) and the methods of collecting, reducing and analyzing the data. Indicate and justify why this research is employing a quantitative, qualitative or mixed method procedures.
f) Expected outcomes or benefits (1 paragraph/10-15 lines/ max 4 bullet points)
This part should provide information about the intended policy or action implications of the research for any of the domains of the bio-innovation system or specific organizations/groups within domains. It should show how the direct stakeholders can benefit from the findings, especially the poor end-users and the public sector. It should show any indirect stakeholders and benefits to them. Present objectively verifiable indicators of results and outcomes (eg., scientists from public sector labs work with local governments or municipalities in pharmaco-vigilance groups, or corporate sector sponsors bio-safety/bio-ethics committees in vulnerable agro-ecosystems).
This part should provide information about the intended policy or action implications of the research for any of the domains of the bio-innovation system or specific organizations/groups within domains. It should show how the direct stakeholders can benefit from the findings, especially the poor end-users and the public sector. It should show any indirect stakeholders and benefits to them. Present objectively verifiable indicators of results and outcomes (eg., scientists from public sector labs work with local governments or municipalities in pharmaco-vigilance groups, or corporate sector sponsors bio-safety/bio-ethics committees in vulnerable agro-ecosystems).
g) Communication of findings (1 paragraph/ 10-15 lines/ max 4 bullet points)
This pertains to a discussion and plan on how the findings of the research can be communicated to a larger audience or the public. The results and the lessons learned from the research could be disseminated through various media such as print, Internet (Bio-innovations Asia website), CD-ROM, or VDO.
This pertains to a discussion and plan on how the findings of the research can be communicated to a larger audience or the public. The results and the lessons learned from the research could be disseminated through various media such as print, Internet (Bio-innovations Asia website), CD-ROM, or VDO.
h) Timetable (Table with quarterly or monthly activities and milestones)
The proposal should include a breakdown of activities with corresponding realistic timelines and objectively verifiable indicators of achievement.
The proposal should include a breakdown of activities with corresponding realistic timelines and objectively verifiable indicators of achievement.
i) Budget
As mentioned above, estimated funding for each small grant research project is up to CAD 18,000. Within this budget limit, the expenses include services and materials required to carry out the research and dissemination of research results. Cost may include remuneration of persons who gather data and information or provide casual labor in research activities. However, this allowance can only be paid to staff hired for this project in particular, NOT to existing staff of the recipient organization. The grant does not allow administrative cost and capital expenditure of any kind, such as vehicles and computers, nor does it provide for contingency expenses.
As mentioned above, estimated funding for each small grant research project is up to CAD 18,000. Within this budget limit, the expenses include services and materials required to carry out the research and dissemination of research results. Cost may include remuneration of persons who gather data and information or provide casual labor in research activities. However, this allowance can only be paid to staff hired for this project in particular, NOT to existing staff of the recipient organization. The grant does not allow administrative cost and capital expenditure of any kind, such as vehicles and computers, nor does it provide for contingency expenses.
j) References
All references in the body of the proposal should be put.
All references in the body of the proposal should be put.
k) Researchers' and Institutional Profile
This section should give basic information about the organization/institution applying, with especial emphasis on its track record in research work. The institution's immediate or future counterpart contribution to this research should also be discussed. Likewise relevant information about the researchers to be involved in the project should be presented, including specific roles of each in the research.
Documents required for Proposal Submission
The complete set of documents for proposal submission consists of:
Full research proposal
Total Proposed Budget
Gender Analysis Check-list in Research Design (WORD file download here)
This section should give basic information about the organization/institution applying, with especial emphasis on its track record in research work. The institution's immediate or future counterpart contribution to this research should also be discussed. Likewise relevant information about the researchers to be involved in the project should be presented, including specific roles of each in the research.
Documents required for Proposal Submission
The complete set of documents for proposal submission consists of:
Full research proposal
Total Proposed Budget
Gender Analysis Check-list in Research Design (WORD file download here)
Selection Criteria for Research Proposals
The following criteria and corresponding percentage weights will be applied to the selection of proposals for funding:
The following criteria and corresponding percentage weights will be applied to the selection of proposals for funding:
- Clear objectives and research problem statement oriented towards the issues or problems identified in the Call for Proposals (20%)
- Clarity and manageability of the overall research design, including realistic budget (20%)
- Gender-sensitivity to the substantive and methodological aspects of the research plan, and gender-responsiveness of targeted policy change. (20%)
- Emphasis on field information/data gathering (primary and secondary) and substantial participation of major stakeholders (in bio-innovation domains) in the research process (15%)
- Potentials for research results to bear on, and influence responsive policy changes, and/or for building partnerships between relevant groups in the bio-innovation system. (15%)
- Level of institutional commitment by potential partner group to the research project, particularly bearing on project's sustainability. (10%)
Evaluation of the Proposals
All proposals will be reviewed by the Project's Advisory Committee and some revisions for basic format completion may be asked from the applicants. The AC will then make an evaluation summary of the proposals using a set of evaluation criteria as mentioned above.
All proposals will be reviewed by the Project's Advisory Committee and some revisions for basic format completion may be asked from the applicants. The AC will then make an evaluation summary of the proposals using a set of evaluation criteria as mentioned above.
Application Procedure
Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter of intent (maximum of 2 pages) introducing the applicant (individual or organization), explaining the proposed research project, and its relevance to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal.
Short-listed applicants will be requested to submit a 10 to 15 page fully developed research proposal.
Application Deadline
Deadline for submission of Concept Notes: September 15
Short-listed concept notes announced: September 30
Deadline for submission of Full Proposal: October 31
Announcement of Results: November 15
Small Grants Inception and Launching: December
Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter of intent (maximum of 2 pages) introducing the applicant (individual or organization), explaining the proposed research project, and its relevance to the themes discussed in the Call for Proposal.
Short-listed applicants will be requested to submit a 10 to 15 page fully developed research proposal.
Application Deadline
Deadline for submission of Concept Notes: September 15
Short-listed concept notes announced: September 30
Deadline for submission of Full Proposal: October 31
Announcement of Results: November 15
Small Grants Inception and Launching: December
Contact Details
General enquiries regarding the Call for Proposal can be directed to:
Enabling Bio-innovations for Poverty Alleviation in Asia Project
School of Environment Resources and Development
Asian Institute of Technology
Thailand
Tel. no: 66 2 524 5671Fax. no: 66 2 524 6166Email: bio-innovations@ait.ac.th Website: www.bioinnovationpolicies.ait.asia
c/o Ms Mary Caspillo
General enquiries regarding the Call for Proposal can be directed to:
Enabling Bio-innovations for Poverty Alleviation in Asia Project
School of Environment Resources and Development
Asian Institute of Technology
Thailand
Tel. no: 66 2 524 5671Fax. no: 66 2 524 6166Email: bio-innovations@ait.ac.th Website: www.bioinnovationpolicies.ait.asia
c/o Ms Mary Caspillo
or to the AIT Project Core Team:
Dr Edsel Sajor, Urban Environmental Management esajor@ait.ac.th
Dr Bernadette Resurreccion, Gender and Development Studies babette@ait.ac.th
Prof Sudip K Rakshit, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology and Vice President for Research rakshit@ait.ac.th
Dr Edsel Sajor, Urban Environmental Management esajor@ait.ac.th
Dr Bernadette Resurreccion, Gender and Development Studies babette@ait.ac.th
Prof Sudip K Rakshit, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology and Vice President for Research rakshit@ait.ac.th
Enquiries regarding technical details of the proposal can also be addressed to the AIT Project Core Team, as well as, to the Project's Advisory Committee. Subject: Bio-innovations Enquiry and cc: bio-innovations@ait.ac.th in your email.
Project Advisory Committee Members:
Dr Ellie Osir, Senior Program Specialist, Information Technology and Society (Singapore), International Development Research Centre (IDRC) eosir@idrc.org.sg
Dr Rajeswari Sarala Raina, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, India rajeswari_raina@yahoo.com
Dr Ellie Osir, Senior Program Specialist, Information Technology and Society (Singapore), International Development Research Centre (IDRC) eosir@idrc.org.sg
Dr Rajeswari Sarala Raina, Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, India rajeswari_raina@yahoo.com
Prof Boonsirm Withyachumnarnkul, Professor, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Thailand boonsirm@yahoo.com
Dr Sachin Chaturvedi, Fellow, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, India sachin@ris.org.in
Dr Keng-Yeang Lum, Chief Scientist, Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI) Southeast & East Asia, Malaysia ky.lum@cabi.org
Prof Phua Kai Hong, Associate Professor of Health Policy & Management, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy National University of Singapore spppkh@nus.edu.sg
Dr Thelma Paris, Senior Gender Specialist, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines T.PARIS@cgiar.org
Dr Darryl Macer, Regional Advisor, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO d.macer@unescobkk.org
Moreinfo: http://www.bioinnovationpolicies.ait.asia
