The Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research (SFIAR)
is an informal multi-stakeholder group of Swiss institutions and
private individuals interested in agricultural research for development
(ARD).
Members come from research institutions, NGOs, the private sector, farmers' organisations and public agencies, as well as individuals. The goals and objectives of SFIAR are:
a) Sharing information between ARD stakeholders in Switzerland
b) Promoting the visibility of Swiss ARD
c) Playing an advocacy role at policy level
d) Serving as a national partner in international initiatives
e) Promoting collaboration between actors in Swiss ARD
Members come from research institutions, NGOs, the private sector, farmers' organisations and public agencies, as well as individuals. The goals and objectives of SFIAR are:
a) Sharing information between ARD stakeholders in Switzerland
b) Promoting the visibility of Swiss ARD
c) Playing an advocacy role at policy level
d) Serving as a national partner in international initiatives
e) Promoting collaboration between actors in Swiss ARD
Aims
In line with its objectives, the SFIAR runs the annual SFIAR Award. With this award the SFIAR pursues the following main aims:
a) support relevant agricultural research for development
b) promote knowledge on and visibility of Swiss ARD
In line with its objectives, the SFIAR runs the annual SFIAR Award. With this award the SFIAR pursues the following main aims:
a) support relevant agricultural research for development
b) promote knowledge on and visibility of Swiss ARD
Scope
The SFIAR intends to award new, innovative and result oriented research. Recent achievements or milestones can be awarded, however no future plans or project proposals.
The SFIAR intends to award new, innovative and result oriented research. Recent achievements or milestones can be awarded, however no future plans or project proposals.
The thematic scope of the award is broad. Any research that falls within
the following definition of ARD given by the European Initiative for
Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) can be submitted:
"ARD is a multi-dimensions research that addresses the agricultural development challenges of developing and emerging countries (DEC). The agricultural domain includes crop production and animal husbandry, agro-forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agribusiness and related enterprises, animal and human health related issues, as well as the sustainable management of the natural sources on which farming depends and the socio-cultural and bio-diverse landscapes, food systems and ecologies in which it is embedded. ARD provides technological, economic and institutional knowledge and innovations contributing to sustainable development. It encompasses research of a national and
international public good character, as well as research that yields private gains."
"ARD is a multi-dimensions research that addresses the agricultural development challenges of developing and emerging countries (DEC). The agricultural domain includes crop production and animal husbandry, agro-forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agribusiness and related enterprises, animal and human health related issues, as well as the sustainable management of the natural sources on which farming depends and the socio-cultural and bio-diverse landscapes, food systems and ecologies in which it is embedded. ARD provides technological, economic and institutional knowledge and innovations contributing to sustainable development. It encompasses research of a national and
international public good character, as well as research that yields private gains."
The application must cover at least one of the following characteristics:
a) partnership, outreach to the farm level, output and impact
b) product development (or steps thereof)
c) tool or instrument
a) partnership, outreach to the farm level, output and impact
b) product development (or steps thereof)
c) tool or instrument
Eligibility
Eligible for the SFIAR Award is research that
• has been carried out at or in close collaboration with a Swiss institution involved in ARD
• has appropriate linkages in developing countries
• has been completed preferably no longer than three years ago (for Master Thesis Award: thesis not older than 18 months)
Eligible for the SFIAR Award is research that
• has been carried out at or in close collaboration with a Swiss institution involved in ARD
• has appropriate linkages in developing countries
• has been completed preferably no longer than three years ago (for Master Thesis Award: thesis not older than 18 months)
Application
Applicants have to fill in the attached application form in English, French or German. Applications that don't meet the formal requirements will not be considered. The deadline for applications is 15 July 2015.
Applicants have to fill in the attached application form in English, French or German. Applications that don't meet the formal requirements will not be considered. The deadline for applications is 15 July 2015.
Selection
A selection committee of at least three SFIAR experts will review the submissions and select the best proposal. If four or less submissions are received, the committee may decide not to make an award that year. The SFIAR members endorse the recommendation by the selection committee, if they don't have a valid challenge.
The main selection criteria are:
a) research quality
b) demonstration of potential for development impact
c) compliance with criteria defined under "Scope"
d) presentation
A selection committee of at least three SFIAR experts will review the submissions and select the best proposal. If four or less submissions are received, the committee may decide not to make an award that year. The SFIAR members endorse the recommendation by the selection committee, if they don't have a valid challenge.
The main selection criteria are:
a) research quality
b) demonstration of potential for development impact
c) compliance with criteria defined under "Scope"
d) presentation
Award
The Award is offered annually. Based on a recommendation by the Selection Committee the SFIAR may decide that the award for a particular year will be restricted to one category only, i.e. young researcher/PhD/Post Doc or team 1, and that further restrictions may also be applied.
The SFIAR Award 2015 is restricted to the following: one prize (10’000 CHF) for a team project;
one prize (CHF 1’000) for the best Master thesis.
The Award is offered annually. Based on a recommendation by the Selection Committee the SFIAR may decide that the award for a particular year will be restricted to one category only, i.e. young researcher/PhD/Post Doc or team 1, and that further restrictions may also be applied.
The SFIAR Award 2015 is restricted to the following: one prize (10’000 CHF) for a team project;
one prize (CHF 1’000) for the best Master thesis.
Award ceremony
The Award ceremony is integrated into an event organized in Switzerland by one or several SFIAR members. The awardee presents his/her project at the event.
The Award ceremony is integrated into an event organized in Switzerland by one or several SFIAR members. The awardee presents his/her project at the event.
Publicity
With the support of SFIAR members and their institutions, the awardee contributes to the publication of a summary of his/her work in the public media.
With the support of SFIAR members and their institutions, the awardee contributes to the publication of a summary of his/her work in the public media.
Legal provisions
SFIAR is committed to confidentiality concerning the Award applications. There is no recourse to correspondence or legal action.
More information on the SFIAR is available on its website: www.sfiar.ch
SFIAR is committed to confidentiality concerning the Award applications. There is no recourse to correspondence or legal action.
