1. Global Challenge Research Fund and ODA
Professor Maggie Gill
17th March 2017

2. Topics to be covered Why am I standing here
UK Government’s ODA Strategy
Criteria for assessment
How to interpret ODA in writing a proposal
Aberdeen Grants Academy Presents GCRF and Newton Fund

3. My ‘credentials’
Worked as a researcher and research programme manager for what is now DFID in the 90s
Worked as a Senior Research Fellow (20% FTE) for DFID agricultural research team from
Chair the Independent Science and Partnership Council of the CGIAR
Participated in 1 review panel on Foundation awards (along with Jon Hillier)
Chairing another GCRF panel
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4. UK Govt ODA Strategy: 4 Strategic objectives
Strengthening global peace, security and governance:
the government will invest more to tackle the causes of instability, insecurity and conflict, and to tackle crime and corruption. This is fundamental to poverty reduction overseas, and will also strengthen our own national security at home.
2. Strengthening resilience and response to crises: this includes more support for ongoing crises including that in Syria and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, more science and technology spend on global public health risks such as antimicrobial resistance, and support for efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
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5. UK Govt ODA Strategy: 4 Strategic objectives
3. Promoting global prosperity:
the government will use Official Development Assistance (ODA) to promote economic development and prosperity in the developing world. This will contribute to the reduction of poverty and also strengthen UK trade and investment opportunities around the world.
4. Tackling extreme poverty and helping the world’s most vulnerable: the government will strive to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030, and support the world’s poorest people to ensure that every person has access to basic needs, including prioritising the rights of girls and women. This will build security, stability and opportunity that will benefit us all.
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6. GCRF forms part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment, which is monitored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). ODA-funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list. GCRF funding will be awarded in a manner that fits with Official ODA guidelines.
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7. Competences needed to deliver this agenda
Able to identify global challenges that are tractable through research
Able to demonstrate a new approach to ODA compliance
Grow capability in UK research base and overseas, to achieve global development goals
Deliver interdisciplinary research
Achieve pathways to impact that extend to the developing world
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8. Key aspects: Growing capability and changing culture … to meet development needs
Enabling broader, deeper and more effective academic engagement with the development agenda.
Updating Pathways to Impact to emphasise impacts on developing world
Research base capacity building: – new faces, new blood, early career
Strengthening international partnerships: growing overseas capability.
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9. Mark Reed Blog on GCRF lessons
…. if you think you’re going to get funding for work that generates impact without advancing knowledge, then you are misguided. Unlike previous funding schemes in this space, where DfID had panel members, GCRF funding has been devolved largely to the Research Councils, who are committed to “supporting cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries”. This means that research excellence remains paramount.
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10. Mark Reed blog headlines expanded
Choose an eligible country – from DAC list, BUT also make sure that the challenge you are addressing is a problem in that country e.g. don’t work on improving the breeding of cows owned by subsistence farmers who don’t have enough feed for the local cows they have
Benefit disadvantaged, impoverished populations and major development issues – don’t work on something that will benefit multinationals who just happen to be based in that country (e.g. plantations)
Don’t overplay your hand – don’t exaggerate by claiming that one small research project will solve the country’s (or the world’s) problems
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11. Mark Reed blog expanded
Build capacity for research and/or development with in-country partners – ODA needs to be focused on sustainable benefits in DAC countries not setting up UK-based centres
If you have them, demonstrate that you have strong existing in-country partnerships – BUT don’t rely solely on international organisations which are based in a country e.g. CGIAR. Also refer to national bodies
Support the country you are working with to co-create solution rather than imposing what you think is a solution – listen to the locals as to what are their priorities.
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12. BBSRC generic observations
When working with overseas academics, demonstrate how this will deliver impact on the ground; i.e. what research networks and in-country contacts do they have outside academia. It is your responsibility to demonstrate the pathway to impact and how this will specifically be achieved. Just noting your partner has experience in this area is not likely to be sufficient justification.
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13. BBSRC generic observations
Be clear who the beneficiaries are, what track record you or your partners have in delivering impact to these beneficiaries, how this will benefit them, and how this research will benefit the wider population.
There can be potential naivety about how long certain activities take in ODA countries, and assumptions that timelines can be extrapolated from UK experience. Regulatory or local permissions, experimental set up time, legal frameworks etc. can all cause delays to projects and affect timelines; you need to be aware of these and describe how you propose to manage the risks, where possible. Even if there are no regulatory hurdles ensure you articulate that you have checked, and with whom.
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14. BBSRC generic observations
Preliminary data help to derisk elements of research proposals. It is important to consider if you are translating your UK research knowledge to a different location (with different environment, culture and societal drivers), or bringing research techniques to bear on an ODA problem, your track record of addressing this problem in a UK context may not be convincing enough. Even a small amount of preliminary data or other evidence demonstrating the proposed research is feasible in-country will be beneficial. Assuming it will work potentially demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the in-country issues.
It is clearly appropriate to have necessary travel to build these partnerships, but be clear to justify the frequency, why you can’t have virtual meetings and who needs to travel. If you are building links and exchanging techniques it may be more appropriate to send the people with the technical expertise and not just the PIs and, where appropriate, provide opportunities for colleagues from ODA countries to train in UK labs or present findings in international conferences
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15. Fund to support GCRF and Newton Fund - Stakeholder development activities
Pump priming to engage with ODA partners and develop relevant stakeholders.
Preliminary data to demonstrate that proposed research is feasible in-country will be beneficial.
Scoping out issues of delivery “in country”
Research activity must be scope of the research councils
Developing the case the impact
Must have the potential to lever future GCRF or Newton (future outline plan evidenced)
Engage with a resource to assist in bid development
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16. Types of expenditure
Travel to develop relationships with relevant stakeholders
Workshops for scoping and bid development
Preliminary data generation (can be staffing)
Impact case development
Sub-contracting for expert grant writers
Demonstration of additional leverage would be beneficial
Up to £10k per project, spend by end of July
Call and application form will be located on staff net and ed to all attendees
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