News 11 of 55

The IPS Research Partnerships Challenge Fund in cooperation with the Canada Research Chairs program have agreed to launch the International Research Chairs Initiative (IRCI), with the aim of supporting up to 5 research chairs in eligible country universities.  All the details and application forms will be posted on December 3^rd, 2007 on the IRCI website at www.idrc.ca/irci.

 

Each selected IDRC Research Chair will define a five-year research program in collaboration with a Canada Research Chair(s) fitting in one or more of the four IDRC’s thematic areas. Proposals will be evaluated on their relevance to IDRC’s program areas, the rationale and demand for comparative research, and the potential for mutually beneficially collaboration between chairs and with other partners.

 

The central objective of the IRCI is to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies in low and middle-income countries through strengthening the research capabilities of universities in these countries. With this objective in mind, RC holders under IRCI will be researchers and mentors whose work, given additional funding and institutional support, holds significant potential for scientific advancement and application.  It is expected that an IDRC Research Chair will play a catalytic role in addressing key development challenges through collaborative research, and mentoring the next generation of scholars and practitioners. 

 

Through the involvement of the Canada Research Chairs program and its chair holders, this initiative seeks to create opportunities for chair holders in low and middle income countries and in Canada to implement a joint research program, create unique training and fieldwork opportunities for students, and identify new avenues for knowledge, policy or technology transfer.

 

News 11 of 55