Program Background and Objectives
The
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is exploring
new opportunities to use science and technology to meet the world’s
development challenges. As part of its science and technology strategy,
USAID is supporting various mechanisms to leverage the investments that
other U.S. government agencies make in scientific research and training.
In this context, USAID, in partnership with the National Science
Foundation (NSF), have launched Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in
Research (PEER) Science. PEER Science is a competitive grants program
that invites scientists in developing countries to apply for funds to
support research and capacity-building activities on topics of
importance to USAID and conducted in partnership with their NSF-funded
collaborators. Areas in which both NSF and USAID have strong mutual
interests include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Food security topics such as agricultural development, fisheries, and plant genomics
- Climate change impacts such as water sustainability, hydrology, ocean acidification, climate process and modeling, and environmental engineering
- Other development topics including disaster mitigation, biodiversity, water, and renewable energy
Proposals in these topical areas of interest may be submitted by applicants based in any of the 87 PEER Science-eligible countries.
Additionally, PEER Science invites proposals from applicants in the
following specific countries or working on the following topical areas,
for which USAID missions and offices have allocated resources to foster
science and development goals: Indonesia, Biodiversity Conservation and Clean Energy in the Philippines, Water for the Middle East and North Africa, Biodiversity Research in the Lower Mekong, and Maldives Climate Change Adaptation.
When
writing their proposals, developing country applicants should consider
how their proposed research and/or capacity building activities will
contribute to USAID’s development objectives.
Collaborative projects involving multiple developing countries that
explore regional issues related to these development objectives are
encouraged. Pending the availability of funds and the receipt of
meritorious proposals, the majority of PEER Science funding will be
awarded to projects related to the USAID development areas of interest
specified above. Applicants are encouraged to consult the list of projects funded
in Cycle 1 of PEER Science for examples of the topics and types of
projects supported. Proposals focused on basic science topics without
clear relevance to USAID development objectives
are strongly discouraged. In addition, no health-related research will
be supported under PEER Science. Researchers working on health-related
topics may wish to explore opportunities offered by the recently
announced PEER Health Program.
PEER
Science is designed to leverage NSF funds awarded to U.S. researchers
with funds from USAID that can be distributed to developing country
researchers so that both sides have the resources they need to work
together productively. Therefore, research projects proposed under PEER
Science must be collaborative in nature and must complement research
goals specified in the NSF award, as well as the technical and
developmental goals of USAID. Examples of the types of activities that
may be funded under PEER Science include education and training;
technology dissemination; application and adaptation of new
technologies; support for students, postdoctoral associates, and
researchers; international travel; communications; equipment, materials,
and supplies for developing country institutions; and research
networks.
The program will consider a limited
number of workshops on innovative or novel areas of research in which
NSF-funded projects intersect with USAID’s development interests. These
workshops must be designed to help create new research collaborations
between U.S. and developing country researchers, so proposals requesting
support for workshops must clearly explain how they would lead to
sustained research partnerships.
PEER Science is
being implemented by the National Academies, which will manage the
proposal review process and disburse and monitor grants awarded. Beyond
the current program cycle, it is expected that solicitations for PEER
Science will be issued at least annually, with details to be posted at http://www.nationalacademies.org/peerscience.
For further information, please review the full PEER Science program
solicitation. The program staff are available to answer questions at peer@nas.edu or +1-202-334-3345.
PEER Science Program Solicitation and Instructionsvisit website for more information: www.nationalacademies.org/peerscience.
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