Competitive Grants Fund

Guidelines for Presentation of Proposals

Introduction

The Foodnet Competitive Grants Fund has been established to provide seed funding for the identification and development of partnerships for market research and enterprise development activities in Eastern and Central Africa.

The fund offers grants of up to US$ 14,000 for each for the following types of research.

1. Stand alone market studies to identify market opportunities / constraints
   
   
2. Market studies leading to the implementation of enterprise development projects
   
   
3. Enterprise development projects

As suggested from the above, market research, which shows promising market opportunities, could lead to the provision of a second grant in enterprise development within this grant facility.

The main aim of the FOODNET grants should therefore be seen as an opportunity to carry out

1. market research with the aim of developing
2. small – medium scale agro-enterprises.

Grantees are expected to provide the following as a product of the award:

1. A research report that presents the results of the market study;
2. A project profile, which proposes the development of a commercial enterprise or research, which will overcome identified constraints in the marketing chain, based on the findings of the market study undertaken in (1) above.
3. In the case of enterprise development. Grantees will provide a case study for the establishment of the agro-enterprise and the process leading to commercialisation. This report should highlight the process used to develop the enterprise, the linkages used, an economic analysis of enterprise performance and the strategy used for either ongoing, or proposed methods of replication.

Grants must bring together partners from at least two agencies (defined to include national research programmes, research networks, international research centres, universities, non-governmental organizations, parastatal research organisations, community based organisations, farmer associations, and the private sector) in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA).

N.B. Grantees will only be eligible for one grant at any given time. The Foodnet grant system is non-renewable for a given activity.

Proposals that show clear linkage with at least one of the ASARECA networks are encouraged., (Annex 1 provides a list of the ASARECA networks). Links with the private sector should be emphasized. In cases where capacity to undertake specific tasks are unavailable and consultants are required, this should be noted as a clear priority in the proposal.

Where consultants have been identified, specific information should be supplied on the selection of the consultant and the capacity of the consultants organisation. In cases, where partners are seeking information on potential consultancy groups, please contact the FOODNET co-ordination office for further information on a preferred list of consultants or bilateral agents, which may have support staff to assist for specialist skills.

Research proposals must relate to interventions in the production-consumption continuum, and demonstrate a clear market and client-oriented approach. Particular emphasis will be paid to value-added and income generating issues. Research must be replicable and relevant in more than one country, and in accordance with the research priorities of the ASARECA networks. The methods and techniques to be used to ensure participation of client groups in data analysis need to be clearly stated in the proposal, as should the roles of the respective partners.
 

Research Themes

The types of studies that will be considered for grant awards include the following:

1. Market studies that analyse existing production, processing, marketing and consumption systems for particular commodities, and prioritise among, the post-production constraints and opportunities identified. The objective of this type of sub-sector analysis being to identify market opportunities and constraints to the marketing channels of a commodity. Results from such studies should indicate strategies for securing increased income or food security potential;
2. Market studies that seek to identify viable opportunities for the development of small-medium scale agro-enterprises. Such studies should evaluate the technical (production and processing) and economic feasibility and appropriateness of a given process in the small-medium scale farm situation;
3. Enterprise development schemes that deal with the establishment and commercialisation of an agro-enterprise based on market opportunities identified through market / sub-sector analysis.
4. Product research, concept testing and consumer acceptance studies to generate pre-feasibility data on novel products that could have production potential in rural and urban areas.
5. Service support studies that analyse the service / input support to small-scale postharvest processing and marketing enterprises (such as infrastructure, credit, transport, marketing and market information, machine workshops, training and technical assistance in business administration, marketing and processing), with a view to proposing innovative approaches for the supply of these services.
6. Policy studies that evaluate policy constraints and the options for improving policy to facilitate development of enterprises and marketing in rural areas.
7. Adoption and impact studies on previous post-production research and development interventions that provide information for orienting subsequent research investment in a particular field;

For this call, priority will be given to proposals that focus on the priorities of the ASARECA networks and identification of market opportunities for sales of value-added products. The research undertaken should be relevant to more than one country. However, it is understood that the above studies are likely to be focused on representative regions or micro-regions within countries.
 

Duration of the Projects

A maximum of 12 months will be permitted for the completion of the studies financed by the Fund.
 

Timetable for Grant Applications and Awards

5 January 2000. Call for applications. (concept notes – max 6 pages)

20 March 2000. Applications for grants due at FOODNET co-ordination Office Kampala.
 

Screening of concept note by review panel

31 March 2000: Successful concept notes returned for development of full proposal.

30 April 2000. Submission of full proposal.

1-5 May, 2000. SC convenes to review proposals

8 May, 2000. Announcement of successful projects

Subsequent calls for applications may be made on an annual basis as funds allow.
 

Criteria for Evaluation of Grant Proposals

Mandatory criteria

• The proposal should involve at least two agencies involved in agricultural research / development, (defined to include universities, non-governmental organizations, public research organizations, international research centres, community based organisations, farmer associations and private businesses related to the agricultural and food sector) in the ASARECA region (see Annex 1). The role of the partners must be clearly stated. A supporting letter that commits the partners to the project must accompany the proposal.
• The proposal addresses post-production research in one of the theme areas described above.
• The support requested from the Small Grants Fund does not exceed US$ 14,000, and counterpart contributions, in personnel and other resources, are clearly identified. Preference will be given to those proposals, which have supporting funds, particularly those with support from other ASARECA networks.
• The proposal is presented according to the format requested (see below and Annex 2).
• The proposal is consistent with the crops and ecosystems prioritised by ASARECA networks (see Annex 1).

Essential evaluation criteria

• Recognition of strategic issues that require further research, and innovativeness and originality in the use of research methodologies.
• Contribution to reduction of poverty and sustainable agricultural development through generation of income, employment opportunities and/or resource conservation in rural areas, with a direct bearing on the wellbeing of women and children.
• Clear demand-driven approach, with appropriate participation of the intended beneficiaries in the analysis and definition of the problems to be tackled.
• Appropriate employment of research methods (participatory approaches, market research, cost benefit analysis etc.).
• Shows evidence that the project will have a strong positive impact on key development indicators such as :-household food security, income, nutritional status, gender equity.
• Comparative advantage of the participating institutions and the sustainability of the institutional collaboration proposed. ASARECA networks are expected to contribute with inputs of a financial and strategic nature (e.g. support for research methods, specialized techniques and information, and analytical tools).
• Consistency with regional priorities for research in the post-production sector.
• Shows sound consideration for environmental conditions.

Negative criteria

• Proposals that only appear to fund workshops, training programmes, problem identification and participatory appraisals.
• Proposals that only consist of per diems or have a very high percentage of capital costs.
• Proposals that have multi-goals, i.e., are not sufficiently focussed.
• Proposals that do not clearly identify roles and responsibilities of partners.
   

Eligible Expenditures

Expenses related to information collection and analysis (per diems, short term contracts for specialist input, training costs of local personnel in specific survey or information gathering techniques, local transport, survey costs, statistical analysis, copying and report preparation).

Expenses related to planning meetings among partners (travel and per diem costs, materials, and other logistical requirements).

Salaries of principal researchers of the participating institutions are excluded.

Co-funding of the proposals, in kind, through time input of scientists and the provision of operational expenses, is required.

Non eligible Expenditures

Due to the size of the grant it is suggested that the projects do not include large capital items which are required for institutional capacity building:- such as:- computers, vehicles, large items for laboratory testing.

Procedures for Submitting Applications

Proposals may be submitted by bone fide institutions working in areas related to agricultural and rural development. They can be presented in the English or French language. Preference will be given to those proposals submitted by institutions that clearly show the strategic research input of their linked ASARECA network. The budget may be managed by a participating institution that is not necessarily the executing institution.

Applications must arrive at the FOODNET Office with attention for (Shaun Ferris), FOODNET, 7 Bandali Rise, Bugalobi, Kampala, Uganda by 20 March, 2000. Applications may be sent by fax or e-mail (fax: 00256-41-223459, e-mail FOODNET@imul.com) but these must be matched by paper copies sent by airmail or courier and postmarked before 1 March 2000. Electronic copies should be submitted in Word or a compatible format.

Proposals will be evaluated by an independent panel of experts according to the criteria outlined above. Awards will be announced in the second week of May 2000.
 

Application Format

Concept notes should be six pages maximum. They should be presented in the format outlined in Annex 2.

Foodnet grant recipients should be prepared, immediately after announcement of awards, to supply the formal name and business address of the institution to which payment should be made, with specific instructions on directing grant payments (name of bank, address and account numbers etc.).
 

Use of the Products of the Award

The series of reports produced as a result of the research undertaken with the resources from the fund will be subsequently published in book form and/or on the world wide web. Final reports should not exceed 50 pages (double space and font size 12), including tables and figures. As a means of ensuring relative uniformity, further guidelines for the presentation of the final reports will be made available to award winners. Follow-up project profiles should not exceed 6 pages and the format to be followed will be similar to that for the Foodnet Grant applications outlined above. The institutions that receive awards will be at liberty to submit their project profiles to donors of their choice. They will also be made available through the Network.
 

Annex 1. Asareca Networks

	Name	Contact points	Areas of specialisation
1.	Mimi Gaudreau	IRRI Representative in Madagascar IRRI B.P. 4151 Antananariva 101 MADAGASCAR Tel: 261-20-62-23264 Fax: 261-20-62-23151 E-mail: m.gaudreau@cgiar.org irrmad@cgiar.org	Rice research
2.	Ann Stroud	Coordinator African Highlands Initiative ICRAF – AHI P.O. Box 6247 Kampala, UGANDA Tel: 256-41-566722/566432 Fax: 256-41-567635 E-mail: A.Stroud@cgiar.org	Natural resource management in highland ecologies
3.	Thomas Payne	Coordinator ECAMAW CIMMYT P. O. Box 5689 Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA Tel: 251-1-615-017 Fax: 251-1-614-015 E-mail: T.PAYNE@CGIAR.ORG	Maize and Wheat research
4.	James Whyte	Coordinator EARRNET IITA/ESARC P. O. Box 7878, KAMPALA Tel: 041-223460 Fax: 041-223459 E-mail: jwhyte@imul.co iita-uganda@imul.com j.whyte@cgiar.org	Cassava research
5.	Mukishi Pyndji	Coordinator ECABREN P. O. Box 2704 ARUSHA, TANZANIA Tel: 255-57-2268 Fax: 255-57-8557 E-mail: ciat-ecabren@yako.habari.co.tz Ciat-ecabren@cgiar.org	Beans research
6.	Shaun Ferris	Coordinator FOODNET IITA P. O. Box 7878, Kampala, UGANDA Tel: 000256 41 223460 Fax: 00025641 223459 E-mail: FOODNET@imul.com	Marketing and Postharvest research
7.	Eldad Karamura	Coordinator INIBAP/BARNESA P. O. Box 24384 KAMPALA Tel: 256-41-286213 E-mail: Inibap@imul.Com	Banana research
8.	Berhane Kiflewahid	Coordinator , ASARECA/CIP Technology Transfer Project International Potato Centre (CIP) P. O. Box 25171 NAIROBI, Kenya Tel: 632054 Fax: 630009 E-mail: B.kiflewahid@CGIAR.ORG	Technology transfer
9.	Berga Lemaga	Coordinator PRAPACE P. O. Box 22274, Kampala, UGANDA Tel: +256 41 286209 E-mail: berga@imul.com prapace@infocom.co.ug	Sweet potato and Irish potato
10.	Kwesi Atta Krah	Coordinator ICRAF Agroforestry P.O. Box 30677 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: 254-2-524230/521450 Fax: 254-2-521001 Email: K.Atta-Krah@cgiar.org	Tree crops research
11.	Isaac Minde	Coordinator ECAPAPA P. o. box 765 Entebbe, UGANDA Tel: 256-41-320425 Fax: 256-41-321126 E-mail: ecapapa@imul.com	Policy analysis
12.	Jean Ndikumana	Coordinator A-AARNET International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) P. O. Box 30708, NAIROBI Tel: 254-2-630743 Fax: 254-2-631599 E-mail: jndikumana@cgiar.org	Livestock research
13.	Dennis Rangi	Facilitating for Coffee research Regional Representative CABI – Africa Regional Centre P. O. Box 633, Village mkt, NAIROBI Tel: 2-521450 Fax: 2 522150 E-mail: D.RANGI@CABI.ORG	Coffee research
14.	Barnabas Mitaru	Interim Chairman, ECARSAM IDRDU, University of Nairobi, Kenya P. O. Box 29053,NAIROBI Tel: 02-631638 Fax: 02-631102 E-mail: mitaru@arcc.or.ke	Sorghum and Millet research
15.	Nuhu Hatibu	Interim Coordinator, SWMNet Senior Lecturer, Faculty of AgricultureSoil, Water Management Research GroupSokoine University of Agriculture P.O. Box 3003 Morogoro, Tanzania Tel: 255-56-3847 Fax: 255-56-4562 E-mail: swmrg@suanet.ac	Soil and water management

Country representatives for FOODNET

1.	Jean Paul Bitoga DG of ISABU/Burundi P. O. box 795 Bujumbura, BURUNDI Tel: (257) 227602 223390 Fax: (257) 225798 E-mail: isabu@cbnif.com
2.	Singi Lukombo Food Science PRONAM INERA B.P. 2037 Kinshasa I, D.R. Congo Fax 00253-1221-326871-150-361 Email: ungc@ic.cd
3.	Eritrea To be identified
4.	Dr. Demese Chanyalew Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) P.O. Box 2003 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Telephone: 251-1-184136/612633 Ext. 215 Fax: 251-1-611222 Email: iar@telecom.net.et
5.	Vital Hagenimana Postharvest Scientist International Potato Center P.O. Box 25171 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: 254-2-632054/630003/4 Fax: 254-2-630005 Email: V.HAGENIMANA@CGIAR.ORG
6.	Ranaivoson Roger Lalao Post Harvest Département de Recherche Technologies/FOFIFA B.P. 254 Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Telephone: 22-402-78, 22-408-66 Email: fofifa@dts.org
7.	Dr. M. Mugunga Acting Director General ISAR Rubona B.P. 138 Butare, Rwanda Telephone: 070-78768 Fax: 070-78768 Email: iita@rwandatel.rwandal.com
8.	Mubarak Ali Food Research Centre Khartoum North P.O. Box 213 Sudan Fax: 249-11-311049 Telephone: 249-11-311294 Email: Frc@sudanet.net
9.	Godwin D. Ndossi Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre 22 Ocean Road P.O. Box 977 Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania Telephone: (255-51) 780378/9, (255-51) 118137/9 Fax: (255-51) 116713 Email: tfnc@muchs.ac.tz
10.	Dr. Ambrose Agona National Post-Harvest Research Programme Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute P.O. Box 7065 Kampala, Uganda Telephone: 256-41-567708 Fax: 256-41-567649 Email: karihave@starcom.co.ug

 

Annex 2. Format for the presentation of proposals to the Foodnet Competitive Grants Fund

Title page

This page should contain the following information:

• The title of the project.
• The executing institution and the name of the designated project manager, with the full postal address, telephone, fax and e-mail address for correspondence.
• The name of the participating institution that will manage the budget, if different from the executing institution.
• The names of the other participating institutions.
• Names of the key individuals involved in the project and their roles and responsibilities.
• The purpose of the project.
• The amount of the financial support requested from the Foodnet Grants Fund.

Project description

The project should be described, in no more than 5 pages, according to the following headings:

1. General development goal.
2. Project purpose.
3. Background and justification.

   This section should identify: (i) the problem or opportunity and its importance to the development needs of the country or region, (ii) the intended immediate users of the results and the final beneficiaries, (iii) the anticipated impact on food security, income generation and/or sustainable resource management.

4. Outputs and activities.

   This section should specify each research output, together with a short description of the activities that need to be undertaken to achieve the output (special attention should be given to describing the research methods to be employed), e.g.:

   Output 1. _____________________________________

   Activity 1.1 ___________________________________

   _____________________________________________

   _____________________________________________

   Activity 1.2 ___________________________________

   Activity 1.3 ___________________________________

   Activity 1.N ___________________________________

   Output 2. _____________________________________

   Activity 2.1 ___________________________________

   Activity 2.2 ___________________________________

   Activity 2.3 ___________________________________

   Activity 2.N ___________________________________

    

5. Relevance to regional priorities.

   This section should make a reference to statements issued by regional organizations that indicate the priority for the area of research or development need addressed by the proposal.
    
    

6. Innovativeness and originality.

   This section should succinctly state what is innovative and how the proposed research represents a significant departure from other work in this area.
    
    

7. Institutional collaborating partners and their role in the project.

   This section should briefly state the expertise that each participating institution will bring to the project and their relevant prior experience in the area of research or development.
    
    

8. Project management.

   This section should describe how the project is to be managed. The executing institution and the designated project manager should be named. If the institution that will manage the budget is different from the executing institution, arrangements for budget disbursements should be explained.
    
    

9. Project budget.

Items	Requested from Small Grants Fund. US$	Contribution of participating institutions. US$
Personnel costs
Supplies
Services
Travel
Equipment
Other (specify)
Total

The budget table should come accompanied by explanatory notes where appropriate. Contributions in-kind (e.g. infrastructure, equipment, etc.) should be noted.
 

10. Chronogram (timetable) for project implementation.

Annexes. A letter from the participating international agricultural research centre(s), that specifies the support and participation of the centre in the project, must accompany the proposal. Letters from other participating institutions in support of the collaboration should also be appended to the proposal.