Nr. Introduction to Call for FFU Proposals, 2016 Information meetings for applicants March - May 2015 Copenhagen, Aarhus, Kathmandu, Dar es Salaam, and Accra 1

Nr. Programme 1.Introduction to the Call 2.What is a good application? Strategic aspects and criteria for selection 3.The application process 4.Questions/discussion 2

Nr. Call 2016 The application process consists of two phases: Phase 1concept phase (prequalification). Deadline 4 September :00 hrs (DK time) Phase 2full application. Deadline March 2016 Project startJanuary 2017 Project period5 years Budgetmax DKK 10 million 3

Nr. Danida support to development research – overall objective The main objective of the Danish support to development research is to strengthen research capacity in priority countries and to create new knowledge capable of alleviating development problems. (The International Development Cooperation Act, May 2012). Strategic Framework for Danish Support to Development Research

Nr. South- and North-driven projects The South-driven projects are applied for and managed by the applying institution in Ghana, Tanzania or Nepal, with partner(s) in Denmark. Three themes for each of the three countries are given in the Call. The North-driven projects are applied for and managed by a Danish institution with partner(s) in the priority countries. Three themes are given in the Call. 5

Nr. The 2016 Call: Three Themes for North-driven projects Conflict & Fragility New Development Actors and Changing Partnerships ICT for Development 6

Nr. The 2016 Call: Three Themes for South-driven projects – Ghana. Natural Resource Management/Climate-Smart Agriculture/Environmentally Sustainable Solutions Economic Development and Poverty Reduction/Role of the Informal Sector Health: Right to Health/Health Care/Determinants of Health 7

Nr. The 2016 Call: Two Themes for South-driven projects – Nepal. Economic Development and Poverty Reduction/Green Growth Fragility, Stability and Rights 8

Nr. The 2016 Call: Three Themes for South-driven projects – Tanzania. Good Governance Economic Development and Poverty Reduction/Green Growth/Natural Resource Management Health: Right to Health/Health Care/Determinants of Health 9

Nr. What constitutes a good application? Strategic aspects and criteria for selection 10

Nr. Three criteria for assessment 1) Scientific quality is evaluated on the basis of the application’s originality and innovativeness how it situates itself within, and contributes to advance, the relevant research field the expected achievements from an international standard. 11

Nr. Three criteria for assessment: 2) Relevance is assessed in respect of the extent to which the research topic is relevant to the priorities of the Danida priority country the extent to which the research topic is relevant to the key priorities of Danish development cooperation (human rights and democracy; green growth; social progress; and stability and protection) the relevance of the proposed research to the themes of the Call 12

Nr. Three criteria for assessment 3) Effect is evaluated on the basis of the potential effect to the relevant public and private users how the research is expected to be communicated 13

Nr. Feasibility of the proposed project Is assed based on Management structure of the project The managerial competence and experience from research in developing countries possessed by the main applicant The feasibility of the activities 14

Nr. Research capacity strengthening Research-based education, e.g. support to PhD students. Facilitation of access to and use of scientific literature. Training of senior researchers and teams to design and manage research and produce, document and disseminate research results. Participation in international research conferences and networks. Support to establishing and managing research laboratories and other facilities. 15

Nr. Communication and Dissemination Application should outline a clear dissemination plan for research results and how research may influence policy and action. A policy brief of approx. 5 pages must provide recommendations to decision makers in partner countries, to Danida, and to other relevant stakeholders. Up to 10% of project budget for communication and dissemination expenses. Quality of journals and publishing houses is monitored. 16

Nr. Recommendations: Do select a subject within the themes described in the Call. Do identify a research question which is not only intellectually challenging but also relevant and under- researched. Do formulate research questions and hypotheses that describe the innovative nature of the proposed research, how controversies in the literature may be addressed and how ‘conventional wisdom’ may be revised. Do explain carefully how the project contributes to new knowledge by positioning it in relation to existing research (not enough to provide a list of literature read). 17

Nr. Recommendations: (continued) Be focused, realistic and feasible. It is not an advantage to cover very broad research questions or extensive empirical material. It is not an advantage to apply for comparative studies unless the rationale is clearly explained. Make sure that the research is analytical rather than descriptive. Consider that interdisciplinarity is an asset and make sure that you have the right competences in the team. Do try to move from ‘grey’ to internationally refereed publications. 18

Nr. Recommendations: (continued) Make sure that the main responsible research(ers) have allocated sufficient time (not necessarily a good idea to select a director or dean as main researcher). Do ensure a good balance between input from South-based and Danish-based researchers. Do follow up on recommendations from FFU after phase 1. 19

Nr. Warnings: Do not apply for ”product development” projects. Do not apply for data collection projects without thorough explanation of how data will be used. Do not apply for ”development projects”, grants are for research. Do not apply for consultancy type of activities. Do not apply for Ph.D. projects only without sufficient involvement of senior researchers (allocate enough time for the key applicant). Do not apply for funding for your entire institute (number of key researchers should be limited to approx. 5-6). Do not address only part of the call text. 20

Nr. The application process 21

Nr. Who can apply? Applications can only be submitted by an institution, e.g. a governmental institution, private-sector enterprise or private organization. The main applicant researcher must be attached to the applicant institution which is responsible for the project, if approved. The main applicant researcher must at the time of submitting the application hold a PhD or equivalent qualifications. The nationality of applicants is not an issue when assessing the application. 22

Nr. Who can participate? PhD and Postdoc projects cannot be supported individually but can be included in a larger research project. It is important that the main applicant and the research team document relevant scientific qualifi­cations and research background within the research topic applied for. International research institutions and research institutions in countries outside Danida priority countries can be included as secondary partners. Partners from the private sector can only receive support, if it is documented how they will contribute with additional resources to the research. 23

Nr. Who can participate – continued… The application must list all partner institutions and, to the extent possible, all participating researchers. The North-driven applications must list partners in Danida priority countries and possible international partners. The South-driven applications must list partners in Denmark and possibly, in addition, partners in other Danida priority countries and international partners. At least one specific researcher from each partner institutions must be named in the Phase 1 application. 24

Nr. Recommendations: Carefully read the Call and the instructions in the e- application form and the application guide. Comply with the formal requirements set in the Call and fill in the e-application correctly. Remember CVs of all identified researchers including main applicant (Appendix A) and Signatures (Appendix B). Review the application before submission and check if text may be cut off (only rely on the word count function in the e-application). 25

Nr. Process from application to grant Start in time; getting signatures and CVs may take time. Involve all the partner applicants in the planning and e- application, ensure ownership, and adjust expectations. Remember that the e-application system closes at 12:00 sharp (Danish time) on the day of the deadline! Appendices (A and B) must be uploaded to the e- application. It is not possible to submit appendices after the deadline has passed. Once you have submitted the e-application in the e- application system, your application cannot be changed. 26

Nr. Useful links The e-application system is accessible from DFC’s website: For questions concerning the practical application procedure, please contact the Research Unit at DFC at: See the ongoing projects at Danida Research Portal:

Nr. For South partners: how to identify relevant Danish research partners South driven applicants must find and contact the relevant Danish partners before applying: Partners can often be identified from earlier collaborations or through professional networks. Otherwise, searching can be done in international scientific databases (links are suggested in the Call) or at the websites of the Danish Universities. Inspiration can also be found among ongoing and past projects at the Danida Research Portal: If still not possible to find a Danish partner, you can submit your project information to DFC and it will be posted at the DFC website under a “Research Collaboration Market Place”. Any Danish researchers interested may then contact the applicant. 28

Nr. The Consultative Research Committee on Development Research (FFU) 9 members incl. 8 representing main academic fields (of which 3 international) appointed by the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation. One member from MFA. Contributes to the drafting of the call text, application procedures and guidelines. Assesses and selects Phase 1 and Phase 2 applications and prioritizes projects for the funding by MFA. Participates in the quality assurance of the projects based on annual and final reports from the projects and is consulted concerning approvals of major changes in projects. Policy on conflict of interest: en/partners/research/ en/partners/research/ 29

Nr. Who are involved in the assessment of applications and in decisions? (1/2) National Screening Mechanisms in Tanzania, Ghana and Nepal make assessment and shortlist South- driven applications (phase 1). Embassies assess relevance (phase 1). International peer reviewers assess scientific quality (phase 2). The Consultative Research Committee for Development Research (FFU) assesses applications and makes recommendations (phase 1 and phase 2). 30

Nr. Who are involved in the assessment of applications and in decisions? (2/2) Danish Innovation Fund approves recommendations (phase 2). MFA of Denmark grants the funds (phase 2). Danida Fellowship Centre handles the administration and the communication with the applicants (phase 1 and 2). 31

Nr. Expected success ratio for applications in the Call 2016 Approximately 130 applications expected to be received in phase 1 (of these most South-driven) selected for phase projects expected to be granted. 32

Nr. Thank you 33