Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute

Partnership Development Seed Grant 2011-2012 (CLOSED)

The purpose of the grant is to be a catalyst for activities which contribute to formal institutional agreements or other long-term partnerships between Canadian and Indian institutions. Funds may be used to support a bi-national seminar, conference, meeting, or other activities that:

• build awareness of potential collaboration opportunities between Canadian and Indian institutions
• promote sharing of knowledge, information, resources and expertise
• showcase existing Canada-India research collaborations and their impact on society
• assist researchers to take advantage of Canada-India collaborative opportunities

The Shastri Institute will provide grants to Canadian or Indian institutions to support catalyst activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, scholarly discussions and planning meetings that are expected to lead to significant research collaborations with institutions from the other country.

Value:

$10,000.

Number of Awards:

5

Duration:

6 months, starting from July 2011

Eligibility:

The lead applicant must be employed or affiliated with a Canadian or Indian member institution. For a complete list of Shastri current member instituions, please visit:
http://www.sici.org/about/members/

Application Requirements:

• A completed application form
• A summary description of the project (maximum 1,500 words) including goals, activities proposed, timeline, participants, involvement of business, government and civil society organizations (if any), dissemination strategy, and expected long-term contribution towards Canada-India collaborations.

Please note: Shastri believes higher education is a major instrument for development. Therefore, according to Shastri’s policy, applications that will be able to show clear linkage between the Partnership Development Seed Grants (regardless the nature of partnership – pure academic or developmental) and the CIDA mandate will be given preference. Current CIDA priority areas are as follows:

1. Increasing food security
2. Securing the future of children and youth
3. Stimulating sustainable economic growth

In addition to these priority themes, CIDA integrated the following complementary considerations as cross-cutting themes in all its programs and policies:

1. Increasing environmental sustainability
2. Promoting equality between men and women
3. Helping to strengthen government institutions and practices

• Budget with detailed breakdown of expenses and contributions by the host institution and any other funding agencies (if applicable)
• Curriculum vitae of the principal organizer(s)
• Applications should be sent by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Evaluation Criteria:

Applications will be peer reviewed. An adjudicating committee will make the final decision concerning successful applicants based upon the following marking system:
1. Long-term partnership potential (20 points)

• Will the partnership project contribute to the development of institutional agreements or other long term partnerships?
• Will the partnership project build awareness of potential collaboration opportunities with other institutions outside of the two main applicants?

2. Soundness of the plan and potential for contributing to CIDA’s priority and cross-cutting themes either in longer or shorter terms (20 points)

• Are the project objectives clear and easy to conceptualize in operational terms? Do the objectives flow convincingly from analysis of the subject area of the proposal and indicate any direct or indirect contribution to CIDA’s priority and cross-cutting themes either in longer or shorter terms?
• Is the methodology proposed appropriate for achieving the project’s objectives and thus will contribute to CIDA’s priority and cross-cutting themes either in longer or shorter terms?

3. Scholarship of the applicants (10 points)

• Do the applicants have the necessary background and history of organizing similar projects to ensure the success of the project?

4. Timeline (5 points)

• Is the timeline well structured and does it allot a realistic amount of time to achieve the project’s goals?

5. Budget (10 points)

• Are the resources allocated in the budget realistic given the project’s planned activities?

6. Strength of partnership to be developed with the non-academic world and soundness of dissemination strategy (10 points)

• Does the project propose to partner with business, government or civil society organizations in order to accomplish its goals?
• Do the proposed partnerships have long-term viability beyond the scope of the project?
• Does the project propose any concrete strategy to disseminate results, outcomes and findings?

Acceptable Expenses:

Acceptable expenses include travel and accommodation for speakers/participants, meals, communication costs (audio, video conferencing, promotional materials), organizational support, translation, copying and printing. Travel expenses may either be for Canadians going to India or for Indians coming to Canada.

The Shastri Institute is not allowed by the funding agency to pay institutional overhead.
Disbursement of Funds:

75% of the grant will be disbursed upon approval of grant request and 25% upon submission of the final report.

Disbursement of Funds:

75% of the grant will be disbursed upon approval of grant request and 25% upon submission of a final report due February 1, 2012.

Application Deadline:

Competitions is now closed
Applications must arrive at the Institute’s office by 4:30 p.m. Calgary or Delhi time. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of results by end of June 2011.

Application Form:

Shastri_PDSG_Applicaiton_Form_2011-2012.doc

Report Form:

Shastri_PDSG_Final_Report_2011-2012.doc

Contact:

For more information, please contact the Calgary office.

Shastri Calgary Office
Education Tower 1402
2500 University Dr NW
Calgary AB T2N 1N4
Phone: (403) 220-7467
Fax: (403) 289-0100
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Funding:

Funding for the Partnership Development Seed Grants is provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

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