Call for Proposals: SCALABLE Working Group Grants

WIOMSA recently launched a new programme “Sustainable Blue Future in the Western Indian Ocean – Institutional Strengthening through Science, Capacity, and Assimilation for a Sustainable Blue Future – SCALABLE” (2023-2026)” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. SCALABLE focuses on the theme of “Ocean Science and Policy for Sustainable Development,” which aims to make the best science and policy available in its broadest sense, including social and economic aspects, to assist societies in the WIO in restoring and protecting biodiversity, ensuring food security in the face of climate change, and ultimately leading to a resilient, sustainable, productive and inclusive blue economy.

SCALABLE invites proposals from WGs to engage in the co-production of solutions that combine scientific, local, and indigenous knowledge, engage diverse stakeholders, and distribute benefits equitably across and within communities. WGs can be composed of research institutes, universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector, and community members with proven experience and track records in synthesizing existing knowledge about problems and delivering evidence-based, scalable solutions. WGs are expected to provide multiple perspectives and a wide range of expertise, synthesizing existing and emerging knowledge to generate unique and creative solutions to real WIO problems. The formation of WGs is vital to establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing relationships between researchers and stakeholders critical in piloting and taking up proposed solutions. WGs must effectively synthesize information from different sources, fill knowledge gaps, facilitate the development of better solutions, and consider different values, perspectives, and realities within the group. When appropriate, data from previous WIOMSA research grants and other regional projects should be utilized.

Working groups should include natural scientists, social scientists, and stakeholders to address an agreed issue/topic. Gender equality and inclusion are also central to SCALABLE’s strategy. Between sessions, members of the WGs should collaborate remotely, work with long-term implementation partners, identify emerging opportunities for tangible, lasting change, develop and test tools and products, and publish their work.

Funding Information

• Selected by the SCALABLE Programme Committee, WGs will receive up to US$150,000 in funds to implement their project.
• SCALABLE will fund WGs of 5-15 people from diverse organizations to gather for collaborative sessions over 12-24 months.
• Funding Requirements Funding conditions are as follows:
  • SCALABLE funds may not be used to pay Investigators’ salaries or to reimburse PIs for routine working and group meeting attendance.
  • Overheads may be charged to SCALABLE funds but must not exceed 8% of the requested funds.
  • Funds may be used to pay for technical analysis or specific analysis by a working group member that is beyond the engagement of most working group members and not part of their job.
  • Funding may cover postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, facilitators, graphic designers, and other independent contractors.
  • WIOMSA will execute all contracts, and WIOMSA grant regulations will apply.
  • While individuals may apply, their organizations will receive and administer funds on their behalf.
  • Funds exceeding US$45000 will be subject to financial Audit.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals can be submitted by scientists, experts and practitioners from academic, governmental, or nonprofit institutions from the WIO region.
• Individuals working independently can apply. Private sector actors can join working groups but not lead them as Principal Investigators (PIs, or team leads).
• Experts from outside the region may be part of a working group, and only their costs to participate in group meetings will be covered.
• Working groups may fund a postdoctoral researcher, but SCALABLE funds cannot pay the Principal Investigator(s); hence, postdocs should not submit proposals as PIs to fund their work.

For more information, visit WIOMSA.