5.3.2: Seeding New Initiatives

Attract funding for research priorities.

Other Information:

ICSU is not a research funding agency but historically has had a small amount of discretionary funding which, since 2001, has been distributed via a competitive strategic grants programme. This programme is designed to provide seed funding for new international interdisciplinary initiatives that bring together a minimum of two ICSU Member organizations/Interdisciplinary Bodies. Priority areas are defined by the Committee on Scientific Planning and Review in consultation with UNESCO, which has co-sponsored the programme, but the actual activities are not prescribed. This allows considerable flexibility for scientific innovation and the exploration of novel ideas and approaches. The programme not only provides support for multidisciplinary activities that are very worthwhile in their own right, but it is also a vital mechanism for implementing and developing ICSU’s overall strategy, including, for example, some of the emerging areas listed under 4.4. However, the maintenance of the grants programme is dependent on contributions from external funding agencies. In order to be viable in the future, the ICSU grants programme needs a significant injection of additional funding. In early 2001, a special ad hoc meeting of Scientific Union representatives was convened to discuss future strategy and in particular capacity building. This scientific meeting of Unions was repeated prior to the General Assemblies in 2002 and 2005 as well as between Assemblies in early 2004. These meetings included satellite meetings of various groupings of Unions, who came together to discuss scientific issues of common interest – geo-hazards, health, the foodchain. These have proven to be a very valuable forum for bringing different disciplines together, to exchange scientific ideas, and develop joint initiatives. SPECIFIC ACTIONS: • The grants programme will be reviewed in 2006-2007, as a basis for efforts to attract additional funding to secure its continuation; • Depending on the outcome of the review and available funding, CSPR will further develop the grants programme in line with the priorities set out in this Strategic Plan and those of any co-funding organisations; and • Meetings of Scientific Unions will be convened by ICSU between General Assemblies in 2007 and 2010, with the aim of identifying emerging scientific priorities and stimulating the development of new inter-union initiatives.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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