TWAS-SRMGI DECIMALS Funds Research Grants

The DECIMALS fund has been set up to provide grants to small research teams in developing countries, allowing them to analyze the impacts that SRM might have in their regions. It was launched in response to a common concern voiced at SRMGI’s engagement workshops, where local participants often proposed and widely supported the idea that scientists in developing countries should undertake research on the potential local impacts of SRM, noting that there is typically very little funding available to support research in this area.

Main objectives of the research grant:

• To support excellent science on the potential impacts of SRM;
• To build the capacity of developing country scientists to play a greater role in analysis and discussion of SRM;
• To expand the conversation around SRM with local stakeholders;
• To build South-South and South-North links over SRM research and discussion.

Important information:

• A research grant will amount to a maximum of US$70,000. Up to $60,000 will go towards supporting research scientist salaries, and up to US$10,000 will be used to support additional activities and purchase equipment related to the grant;
• The 2018 DECIMALS grants have been assigned and the projects are to be completed by the end of 2020.

Subject Areas

• The programme provides support for research projects in the following fields of science: solar radiation management, climate change, agriculture, natural disasters, climate impact analysis

Eligibility of Applicants - for the 2018 call

• Principal investigators for the DECIMALS grant should have a PhD and significant research experience and must be nationals of one of the developing countries of this list.
• Researchers should operate in a university or research institution in one of the eligible countries and should contact TWAS if they expect to be away from their institution during the period of the grant for longer than three months.
• SRMGI will look favourably on applications from countries that do not already have SRM research projects.
• There are no age limits for DECIMALS grant applicants.
• Funding is only available for modelling or analysis of physical climate change or any climate impact, e.g. agriculture, ecosystems, water resources. Social science research is not supported at this stage.

Agreement

• A written agreement is made between TWAS, the principal investigator and her/his institute.
• The institute undertakes to administer the grant according to the agreement and to provide laboratory space and other facilities necessary for the project. Equipment and software provided for the project through the DECIMALS fund remain the property of the institute after the project is completed.
• The funds for sundries are kept at TWAS for the purchase of all items requested by the grantee. TWAS contacts the supplier(s) upon receipt of proforma invoices submitted by the grantee in accordance with the itemised budget.
• Funds for participation in the research planning workshop, an international academic conference, and the final research discussion workshop will be kept and administered by TWAS, in consultation with the grantee.
• Research projects are due run throughout the grant period, from August 2018 to December 2020.
• Principal investigators leaders are required to submit a final report by the end of the grant period.

How to apply

• TWAS-SRMGI DECIMALS Funds Research Grants can ONLY be submitted online by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab at the bottom of this page.
• Full details of the grant can be found by clicking here
• For scientific queries please contact: srmgi@twas.org
• For technical queries please contact:

Ms Manuela Schipizza
The World Academy of Sciences, Research Grants Office
ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11, 34151, Trieste, Italy
Email: srmgi@twas.org
Tel: +39 040 224 0663