The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking applications for its Innovation Challenges for Joint Research in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation or Good Maritime Governance areas that focus on research and collaboration between two SIA countries. The proposed Joint Research Project must be conducted by at least two stakeholders from different AIS participating countries.

The aim of the task is to help the ISA Forum Secretariat find smart and innovative solutions or solutions that strengthen cooperation between archaeological and island states in mitigating and adapting to climate change or good maritime governance.

Programme objectives

• Encourage competitive research and development initiatives among the countries participating in the AIS Forum through co-operative working relationships to create new or develop existing market-orientated technologies, products or services.
• To promote and implement intelligent and innovative solutions through the development of a collaborative research and innovation platform for stakeholders in the countries participating in the AIS Forum.
• Identify and integrate relevant activities and expertise of the countries participating in the AIS Forum into an international co-operation framework - with an emphasis on the four main thematic areas of the AIS Forum.
• Establish academic networks between the countries participating in the AIS Forum through stakeholders such as universities, think tanks, civil society organisations and other relevant institutions.
• Promoting applied research in sustainable development by linking research findings to needs in the private sector.

Financing:

• The winner will receive a prize of US$ 30,000 to be used for research purposes over 12 months of research.
• The winner will also have the chance to present their research findings in front of the head of state at the High Level Meeting of the AIS Forum 2021. And if the research findings are applicable to the AIS country, the winner will possibly be able to apply their research findings in AIS countries.

Programme scope

• Scope of Work 1: A Joint Research Project Proposal
• Scope of work 2: Report on at least 50% of the Joint Research progress according to the approved schedule
• Scope of work 3: Final report and output of the joint research project

Eligibility criteria

• Team qualification:
  • Any research team consisting of at least 2 stakeholders from at least 2 countries participating in the AIS.
• Qualification of the proposal:
  • The proposed research project must demonstrate that it is of high scientific value and aligns with one or more of the four main thematic areas of the AIS Forum. It must also aim to improve the well-being and livelihoods of local people and preserve coastal and marine ecosystems. In addition, applicants must explain why their research project would benefit from the co-operation of several parties, as well as how the proposed research activities will be implemented co-operatively.
• Language requirements:
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English. The team must be able to write reports and make presentations in English.

For more information, visit https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=70056