Cape Town – The Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) will be hosting a workshop to support academics in improving the quality of their research proposals for FBIP-NRF funding.
The FBIP recently put out its Call for Research Proposals for 2020. Funding applications for Small Grants and Concept Notes for Large Grants are now open.
The FBIP is offering a Proposal Writing Workshop aimed at academics working in the foundational biodiversity field and employed at recognised NRF Institutions. The workshop will specifically be useful to those academics planning to submit research proposals in response to the annual FBIP/NRF Call for Small Grants and/or Large Grants (Concept Notes and Full Proposals).
Participation is limited and applications from Postdoctoral fellows and PhD students will only be considered when there is available space. Academics from Historically Disadvantaged Institutions and early career scientists are encouraged to apply.
Workshop date : 02 April 2020
Location : SANBI, Pretoria, Botanical Gardens
Cost : No charge
Application deadline: 11 March 2020
How to apply: Follow the link
FBIP background
The FBIP is a long-term programme funded by the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and jointly coordinated by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The FBIP provides research grants to academics for the generation of knowledge related to documenting South Africa’s biodiversity, mobilisation of species occurrence or distribution data, generation of DNA barcode data that will allow identification of biological material, and compilation of descriptive information on species.
The data generated by the funded projects must be provided to the FBIP/SANBI after the project has closed for archiving and to make it publicly accessible.
Why this workshop?
Concerns about the misalignment of proposals with FBIP objectives prompted the need for a workshop to support academics in improving the quality of their research proposals.
FBIP project proposals are assessed on the basis of impact in terms of strategic value of the data that will be generated through the project, and how the data will be used in terms of the bio-economy or global change understanding/mitigation.
This is the fourth such event hosted by the FBIP and forms part of a series of initiatives to build capacity for biodiversity knowledge generation, dissemination and application. The first workshop was hosted at the BIMF-FIBP Forum in 2017.
This workshop will be a mix of presentations, discussions and case studies facilitated by Prof Michelle Hamer. The workshop specifically aims to:
- Provide background information to place the FBIP in context.
- Raise awareness of the expectations of the FBIP as the funding body and the unique proposal requirements.
- Provide information, advice and guidance for improving the quality of research proposals.
See previous Large Grant research projects funded by the FBIP
Proposed Workshop Agenda
08:15 – Tea/Coffee and Registration
08:30 – Introduction and background to the FBIP proposals and assessment process
09:15 – Group reviews of small grant proposals and discussions of outcome
11:00 – Refreshment break
11:15 – Group drafting of framework for small grants; presentation assessment
13:15 – Lunch
14.00 – Review of key points from presentations and assessments
15:15 – Wrapping up
15:30 – Closing
Registration Application
Registration for the workshop is free. Limited travel support is available. More details are provided below.
If you would like to attend the workshop, please use the link and complete your registration application form by Wednesday, 11 March 2020. We encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible as there are only limited number of spaces available for this event. Once we have received your registration application and request for travel and accommodation, you will receive an email to confirm acceptance/rejection.
Travel Assistance
Local travel and accommodation support will be considered for applicants working at institutes outside Gauteng. SANBI will make all travel arrangements in consultation with the successful applicants. Details will be given with the confirmation email.
No cash awards will be made. Air tickets are non-refundable and no changes to flights will be possible after the tickets have been issued. Additional costs incurred for any expenditure beyond the grant award are for the participants’ own expenses. Travel assistance covers:
- Local return economy class flight ticket to Johannesburg, where applicable. Participants will fly to Johannesburg on 01 April and fly out on 02 April 2020.
- Mileage of participants from outside Gauteng, if it is a shorter distance to the venue than to an airport.
- Shared shuttles between OR Tambo Airport/Lanseria Airport and venue.
- Shared shuttles from Hotel/Guesthouse to venue. •
- Transport between home and nearest airport will only be covered where the distance from home to the nearest airport is greater than 100km. •
- Accommodation for one night within National Treasury’s prescribed rates (dinner, bed and breakfast) for participants from outside Gauteng.
Enquiries
For any questions, please contact Lita Pauw at l.pauw@sanbi.org.za.
Download the PDF invitation here
FBIP Proposal Writing Workshop 2020 -Announcement by Dane McDonald on Scribd