Fontagro - Convocatorias

The Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology, created in 1998, pursues increased competitiveness, sustainable natural resources management and poverty reduction in the farm and food sectors, by financing agricultural research that leads to the development of scientific knowledge and regional public goods. Using resources invested by member countries, counterpart funding and contributions from sponsoring and development agencies, the Fund has supported a total of thirty-five research consortia in LAC countries. Calls for proposals are organized every two years.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and FONTAGRO, looking for additional cooperation mechanisms, have agreed to make a competitive call to support a high priority research project in 2004. Resources provided to FONTAGRO for this initiative are additional to the normal resources of the Fund. Based on the experience generated by this pilot activity, the IDB and the CGIAR may consider extending it in the future. The characteristics and conditions of this Call are outlined below:

Theme: Innovation in Management of Natural Resources and Development of Sustainable Agricultural Systems [1]

Eligibility: A minimum of two active member countries of FONTAGRO [2] and a minimum of a CGIAR Center. Member countries and CGIAR Centers will clearly define, in the proposal, the responsibilities of each other in project management and implementation. A balanced participation of countries and Centers in the configuration of the budget is expected. Non-member countries may be invited to participate provided they cover the costs associated with their participation.

Modality: Competitive. External experts using the criteria and mechanisms of the Fund (www.fontagro.org) will evaluate proposals. The summary of each proposal will be available at the Internet sites of FONTAGRO and the CGIAR during the period of the Call. The Board of FONTAGRO will select and approve the successful proposal.

Important dates: Reception of proposals at the FONTAGRO Secretariat until June 15, 2004. External Evaluation June 30, 2004. Approval by the Board July 15, 2004. Disbursement of funds: immediately after approval.

[1] The theme is quite open, on purpose, and considers priority agricultural systems in interaction with soils, water and biodiversity.

[2] Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay y Venezuela.

The Technical and Administrative Secretariat of the Fund recommends that participants examine carefully the Manual of Operations. Those individuals familiar with the original Manual are reminded that the Board of FONTAGRO, during its annual 2003 meeting, revised and adjusted it. The new version is the one available in the Fund’s Internet site.

Proposals considered by the Fund must fulfill a number of minimum conditions, which are summarized below:

Formal criteria: Congruence with the mission, objectives and theme defined for this particular call; participation of two research organizations of at least two active member countries of the Fund and a minimum of a CGIAR Center; the proposal must comply with the 2-3 years duration limit; the required funding must not exceed US $500,000 and must adjust to eligible items indicated in the Manual of Operations; the proposal must identify clearly names of participating researchers, counterpart funding including human, infrastructure and financial resources. Proposals not meeting the above criteria will not be considered.

Technical criteria: External reviewers on the basis of established criteria will evaluate those proposals fulfilling all of the formal criteria: Socio-economic and financial impact, technical quality, institutional capacity and environmental impact.

Innovation: This particular call makes special emphasis on innovation. It is expected that proposals will focus on opportunities or limitations in the development of sustainable agricultural systems and the sound management of natural resources.

Proposals or adjustments will not be accepted after the deadline (June 15, 2004). Each proposal must include an executive summary that will be posted in the Internet site of the Fund.