CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR SMALL GRANTS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON THE CENTRAL INDIAN LANDSCAPE
The DeFries-Bajpai Foundation announces a call for proposals for research to develop the science base for understanding the central Indian landscape. The research should address conservation, agriculture, climate, hydrology, and/or socio-economic aspects of the landscape. Proposals can focus on a subset of the landscape, but should encompass areas beyond the boundaries of protected areas. The research should be relevant to management of the landscape, either directly or indirectly through improved understanding of ecological and socio-economic processes. The central Indian landscape serves several major functions. It encompasses many important protected areas and corridors for wildlife; serves as the headwaters for rivers that supply water for urban, industrial, and agricultural uses; and provides agricultural and forest products for local communities. The landscape is also changing rapidly with development of tourism, roads, rails, mines and other infrastructure. Science-based management of the landscape is needed to help achieve a balance among multiple objectives: improving the well-being of local communities; conserving habitat for wildlife; protecting watersheds; tourism; and accommodating development needs for improved infrastructure. Applicants must identify a partnering institution (e.g. university or NGO) who can accept and administer funds. If the institution is in India, it must have clearance to receive donations from the US. Applicants will be expected to attend a biannual meeting to present results and interact with other scientists and managers working in the landscape (see http://kanhapenchlandscape.com). Funding from the DeFries-Bajpai Foundation in no way confers research permissions and other approvals required to carry out the research. The call is open to all nationalities and all levels of researcher (e.g. undergraduate and postgraduate). Proposal guidelines Application materials are as follows: 1. Research proposal: The proposal should be a maximum of 5 pages (approximately 3000 words), including references and graphics but excluding budget and curriculum vita. 2. Budget: The proposal should include a detailed budget for a maximum of Rs. 350000 (approximately US$6000). A maximum of 5 percent of the funds can be used as administrative fees for the partnering institution. Project duration is a maximum of two years. 3. Curriculum vita: Include your education and research experience, as well as other past experiences that demonstrate your qualifications to carry out the proposed project. The research proposal should address the following: - What question does the proposed research address? - Why is this question important for understanding and managing the landscape to balance needs for wildlife, people, and development? - How will the proposed research be carried out? - What products will result from the research, how will these products benefit management of the institution. - What institution will be the partner to accept funds? Please provide a letter of commitment from the landscape, and how will they be made available to relevant parties? - What permissions are required to carry out the research and how will these permissions be obtained? Please send your intent to submit a proposal and tentative title by March 15, 2015. Deadline for the full proposal is April 15, 2015. Intent and proposal should be sent to defriesbajpaifoundation [at] gmail [dot] com. This announcement can also be viewed at http://www.kanhapenchlandscape.com/grant
