The Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia was established in May 1993 to support training and research in environmental and resource economics.  Its goal is to strengthen local capacity for the economic analysis of environmental problems so that researchers can provide sound advice to policymakers.  The program uses a networking approach to provide not only financial support but meetings, resource persons, access to literature, publication outlets, and opportunities for comparative research across its nine member countries.  These are Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, China and Papua New Guinea.

EEPSEA's structure consists of a Sponsors Group, comprising all donors contributing at least USD 100,000 per year (currently IDRC, CIDA and Sida); an Advisory Committee of senior scholars and policy makers; and a small Secretariat in Singapore.   EEPSEA is a project administered by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC) on behalf of the Sponsors Group.  (IDRC is a public corporation created in 1970 to support research in developing countries.)

Typically, researchers learn about EEPSEA by various means and apply for a research or training award.  The process is highly competitive.  Most applicants attend one of EEPSEA's courses before or in conjunction with their research project.  The budget ceiling for research projects is CA $28 000.  Researchers may be affiliated with a university, government or non-government organization and grants are normally made to that institution.  Most projects are carried out by teams of researchers.

Proposals are sent to experts for written review. Those recommended for further consideration must then be revised and presented in a working group meeting at the next EEPSEA biannual meeting.  Further revisions are usually called for, until the project is judged satisfactory and a grant approved.  After approval, interim findings are presented and critiqued every six months until the project is completed.  Researchers receive frequent technical assistance and literature from the Secretariat and resource persons.  Final reports from successful projects are widely disseminated by EEPSEA and by the researchers themselves through publications, the media, and consultations with policy makers. 

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