Update on Joint CGIAR-FONTAGRO Call for Proposals

Fourteen research proposals for the Americas out of 101 submitted in 2006 are now in final stages of evaluation

The Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO), with a membership of 14 countries, is a competitive mechanism to finance research and innovation in the Americas. Its mission is centered on achieving improved competitiveness, the sustainable management of natural resources and poverty reduction in the rural sector. Using interest accruing on the capital provided by its members, the Fund has supported a total of 42 regional research consortia.

The board of FONTAGRO and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) agreed to organize in 2006 a joint call dealing with two key issues of interest to Latin American and Caribbean countries: small-scale agriculture and the productivity and sustainability of agri-food chains. The available resources are US$2 million contributed equally by the CGIAR and FONTAGRO.

The call has generated great enthusiasm and significant demand from member countries and CGIAR Centers. A total of 101 research profiles were received, of which 48 met the Fund's eligibility criteria. External experts using established evaluation criteria evaluated the 48 profiles, and the 14 that obtained the highest marks were invited to submit full proposals. The proposals, with the participation of at least two member countries and one CGIAR Center, have now been received and will be subjected to external evaluation prior to funding decisions by the board of FONTAGRO in October.