Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research (SFIAR) Award – Switzerland

The Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research (SFIAR) is an informal multi-stakeholder group of Swiss institutions and private individuals interested in agricultural research for development (ARD). Members come from research institutions, NGOs, the private sector, farmers’ organisations and public agencies, as well as individuals.

The goals and objectives of SFIAR are:

• Share information between ARD stakeholders in Switzerland.
• Promote the visibility of Swiss ARD.
• Play an advocacy role at policy level.
• Foster partnerships with international organisations in ARD.
• Promote collaboration between actors in Swiss ARD.

Aims 

• In line with its objectives, the SFIAR runs the annual SFIAR Award. With this award the SFIAR pursues the following main aims:
  • Support agricultural research relevant for development and the achievement of the SDGs.
  • Promote knowledge sharing on and visibility of Swiss ARD

Scope 

• The SFIAR intends to award new, innovative, and implementation-oriented research with a direct impact on the achievement of the SDGs. Recent outputs, results or milestones can be awarded, however no future plans or project proposals.
• The thematic scope of the award is broad. Any research that falls within the following definition of ARD given by the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) can be submitted:
  • “ARD is a multi-dimensions research that addresses the agricultural development challenges of developing and emerging countries (DEC). The agricultural domain includes crop production and animal husbandry, agro-forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agribusiness and related enterprises, animal and human health related issues, as well as the sustainable management of the natural sources on which farming depends and the socio-cultural and bio-diverse landscapes, food systems and ecologies in which it is embedded. ARD provides technological, economic and institutional knowledge and innovations contributing to sustainable development. It encompasses research of a national and international public good character, as well as research that yields private gains.”

Award 

• The SFIAR Award includes three categories: PostDoc/Team projects (CHF 10’000), PhD projects (CHF 5’000), Master’s thesis projects (CHF 1’000).
• The PostDoc/Team and PhD Prizes are awarded annually on an alternating basis, the Master’s Prize every year.
• In 2024 the following two prizes are given: one prize (CHF 5’000) for the best PhD project; one prize (CHF 1’000) for the best Master’s thesis.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible for the SFIAR Award is research that:
  • is within the scope defined
  • has been completed preferably no longer than three years ago, or is ongoing with recent achievements/milestones (for Master’s Thesis Award: master’s thesis submitted not longer than 24 months ago)
  • has been carried out at or in close collaboration with a Swiss institution
  • is the result of a partnership with institutions and/or individuals located in developing countries
  • covers at least one of the following characteristics:
    • outreach to the farm level
    • tool or product development (or steps thereof)
    • project co-developed with local partners.

For more information, visit SFIAR.