The thematic research module "Sustainable use and management of ecosystems" studies how ecosystems can be used sustainably for reducing poverty and how negative environmental influences can be reduced within the context of sustainable development. Projects will have a running time of six years.
Each project will be assessed after three years. The second research phase of another three years will only be funded if the assessment of the project is positive. The ideal financial scope is CHF 400’000 – 600’000 per year. 10% to 15% of the amount awarded must be used for application and implementation /communication.
Eligible to participate are researchers employed at a Swiss research institution as well as researchers from developing countries employed at a research institution in a developing country that does not conduct research for commercial purposes.
Participation is open to researchers from SDC priority countries and researchers from African, Asian and Latin American countries that belong to the category of least developed, low income or lower middle income countries according to the DAC list published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Eligible for submission are transnational research partnership projects that consist, at least, of one Swiss research group and two research groups from a developing country. The participation of upper middle income developing countries is optional but must be justified with regard to the relevance of the country for the topic.
The first call for proposals will be issued in spring 2013.