What we fund
Informed rural development policies can help bring about change. That’s why we support research in the areas of food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. We fund interdisciplinary, applied research, carried out and managed by developing-country researchers. We are interested in supporting research that takes into account social and gender equity, and environmental sustainability.
We fund research focused on small-scale producers and the poor in developing countries. Our support fills an important gap in development research.
We help developing-country researchers focus on areas with low or limited agricultural productivity; where access to land, water, and other resources is either inadequate or contested; or where the poor lack adequate diets. Many agricultural productivity programs often overlook these regions and people.
Our grantees carry out research that helps give the poor greater access to food through better, sustainable agricultural systems. The research we support also helps organizations influence food security policies and decision-making.
Research themes
The Agriculture and Food Security program is now seeking innovative research ideas on one or more of the following themes:
- Access to means of production, such as land use dynamics; access and use of land, water, and other agricultural inputs; the role of information and communication technologies.
- Agricultural production and improved farming practices, such as gender and agriculture; technologies and innovations; major staple crops; locally important, under-researched food crops; crop-livestock interactions; agricultural water management; development/identification of new seeds, plants, and farming practices.
- Diversified farming systems and livelihoods, such as integrated farming systems that include forests, livestock, and fish; diversified production for the small-scale farm sector; youth engagement in agricultural activities.
- Markets and value chains, such as improved value chains and timely access to price and market information; standards for food products; the role of information and communication technologies; post-harvest, storage, and processing techniques; women and youth entrepreneurship; product and market development.
- Nutrition, such as food safety practices and regulatory frameworks; improved decision-making in food and nutritional security; improved nutrition through agricultural diversification and better access to quality food; food fortification, supplementation, and balanced diets; local nutritional needs.
- Policy, dealing with, for example, the governance of agri-food systems and linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health.
- Resilience, for example, coping with the impacts of climate change, soil and water degradation, and other shocks such as food price volatility; and contributing to agriculture and natural resource/environment sustainability.
This list of topics is not exhaustive. If you’re a developing-country researcher with an idea for applied research in this field, please contact an AFS staff member or afs@idrc.ca. Researchers are encouraged to also refer to the AFS prospectus for more information on our program.
How to apply
For details on how to apply for IDRC funding, including instructions and application forms, please consult our Funding page.
Our funding supports research institutions and organizations. If you’re an individual seeking funds, visit the IDRC Fellowships and Awards Program.
If you’re a Canadian food security researcher, visit the Canadian Partnerships Program of IDRC or the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) website. CIFSRF supports partnerships between Canadian and developing-country researchers.
Learn more about training and mentorship opportunities at IDRC through our Research Award program.
How our process works
We review concept notes on a quarterly basis, other than special calls for proposals. If you submit a concept note, we will reply within 12 weeks. In exceptional circumstances, we may consider requests to support research ideas led by a Canadian or international organization.
How we assess your application
The criteria we use to assess research proposals include:- Does the research contribute to our program interests?
- Is the methodological approach sound?
- What is the degree of local participation?
- Does the proposed research draw on the natural, economic, and social sciences to ensure relevant and useful applied research?
- Is gender and/or social analysis included in the research methodology?
- Have the gender or other social dimensions of the research been identified?
- How does the idea relate to priority problems of the country/region as recognized by governments, research community, civil society organizations, or international experts?
- Who will use the results of this research?
- At what stage of the process will the users of the research be involved?
|
|