Applied research in agribusiness
Initiative Support Program
USAID Agribusiness Development Activities
Deadline: April 1, 2022.
Project overview
USAID's agribusiness development activities (hereinafter referred to as “The project") is a five-year (July 2020 - June 2025) project that follows an approach to the development of market systems aimed at: (1) improving the competitiveness of agribusiness through the introduction of new value-added technologies and management methods in the production, post-harvest processing, processing and marketing of agricultural products; (2) empowering women and youth with skills and knowledge to secure qualified positions in local enterprises and launch their own businesses.; (3) link academia with the private sector to improve curricula and targeted research to meet the needs of agribusinesses; (4) strengthen and diversify agricultural extension services; and (5) develop and improve policies to promote the growth and development of Uzbekistan's agricultural sector.
Program to support Applied research initiatives in Agribusiness
The project aims to support the establishment of links between academic research institutions and the private sector to jointly meet the growth and development needs of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan. The project is aimed at selecting researchers and/or research groups to conduct applied research that will provide scientifically based solutions to the problems and challenges currently faced by agricultural enterprises, farmers and other entities of the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan.
The project accepts applications from qualified candidates to conduct research and prepare scientific papers for publication in academic journals, and can also be included in the curriculum of Uzbek educational institutions and/or distributed to private sector agricultural enterprises. Within the framework of the project, applications for financing in the amount of up to 30,000,000 soums are accepted. After selecting and signing agreements with researchers/research groups, the Project will provide each researcher/research group with 10,000,000 soums to start applied research, as stipulated in the agreements. As soon as the research work is submitted and approved by the Project, the researcher/research group will receive an additional 20,000,000 soums from the Project.
Acceptability
Candidates can submit their applications as individual researchers or as research groups. This application competition is designed to support the research community of Uzbekistan, and therefore only citizens of Uzbekistan will be eligible to participate in this program. The project will consider candidates from all academic disciplines who express interest in conducting practical research to solve the problems and challenges currently faced by agro-enterprises, farmers and/or stakeholders of the agro-tourism sector in Uzbekistan. The project urges women researchers and women's research groups to apply in response to this call for applications.
Application
Applicants must submit their documents electronically to fund@uzada.org with the "Program of support for initiatives in the field of applied research” in the subject of the letter. The application must be signed by the researcher or the main researcher of the research group. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as they become available. The application form for the concept document will be evaluated according to the following merit evaluation criteria:
Merit Assessment Category
Assessment (Points)
Practical relevance: The proposed research topic will provide feasible and practical solutions that will solve the current problems and problems faced by agricultural enterprises, farmers and/or agricultural sector entities, including the potential scale of impact on the sector/subsector
50
Scientific contribution: how the research will contribute to its academic field and/or will be included in academic curricula and/or will be relevant for dissemination in the private sector
30
Research and academic training: Demonstration of past experience in conducting research, preferably evidence-based research.
20
Total Score
100
Practical Significance. Candidates are expected to identify specific problems and challenges faced by private sector agribusinesses, farmers, agro-tourism entities and/or other agricultural sector entities, and propose research objectives aimed at providing practical solutions to their problems and tasks. Candidates are expected to provide a clear description of the existing problem(s)/task(s) that they seek to solve in their research work, which can be supported by primary data. (50 points)
Scientific Contribution. This merit review category assesses to what extent the research work will make a significant contribution to the existing literature in the field of research, and whether it will benefit students and teachers of educational institutions and/or will meet the needs of the private sector. (30 points)
Academic and research education. In this category of merit assessment, the past history of candidates' academic publications is evaluated. (20 points)
Applications should include:
Abstract: The abstract should not exceed 500 words and should contain the following: title, purpose of the study, methodology, keywords. The number of words must be specified. A potential list of journals for publication should be provided, if known.
Summary: The summary of the researcher/research group should include a list of publications.
Applications and documents must be prepared and submitted in English only.
For this call for applications, the Project involves the selection of up to five (5) researchers and/or research groups to sign research agreements and prepare scientific papers.
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