Strengthening inclusive science and innovation systems in the Americas

Basic consortium requirements.

Activities should be focused on supporting lower-income countries in the region. Full regional coverage is not required. However, a detailed explanation of the selection will be expected for both streams for specific activities.  

This call for EOIs is open to a consortium composed of public and non-profit organizations located primarily in LAC (see details on next page). These may include regional or national governmental bodies, NGOs, think tanks, universities and public research centres. Organizations may be part of applications under both streams but may only propose to lead one of them. 

Each consortium should select a lead organization. For proposals selected for funding, IDRC will enter into a funding agreement only with the identified lead-applicant organization. The lead-applicant organization must have legal corporate registration in a country in LAC and must be able to administer foreign funds and manage funding arrangements with other organizations in the consortium. The lead organization for the consortium must meet minimum requirements to receive an IDRC grant, which includes being able to sign IDRC’s standard Grant Agreement, periodically amended by IDRC. 

IDRC is bound by Canadian law, which may restrict or prohibit funding for research and organizations in specific countries. For example, if the law limits banking transactions by Canadian financial institutions in a particular country, IDRC will not undertake any form of programming in the country. IDRC also reserves the right to not undertake programming in a given country due to security or other risk factors. 

Consortium design and profiles.

The lead consortium should select a project leader (PL) responsible for overseeing the project. Up to three co-PLs can be selected among the various participating organizations. Applicants should be aware of EDI considerations when selecting individuals as PLs or co-PLs, as this will be assessed. 

Building on the descriptions of core activities above, Stream 1 consortia would likely include organizations that have explicit experience and expertise in areas such as, but not limited to: 1) research management; 2) gender and inclusivity; 3) convening researchers and other key stakeholders; and 4) engaging in multi-stakeholder strategic planning exercises. Research coordination organizations and national science granting councils with a focus on regional collaboration may have a particular interest in leading, or participating in, the implementation of Stream 1 activities, for example. Stream 2 consortia, on the other hand, would likely interest organizations with a stronger expertise in training, research and knowledge mobilization related to the core activities mentioned above. 

Consortia may include organizations located outside of the region as members or as consultants, provided a justification of their roles is satisfactory. However, the costs incurred by these organizations to support personnel salaries and most associated activities (e.g., travel) must be no more than 5% of the total budget for Stream 1 proposals and 10% of the budget for Stream 2 proposals. Private consultants or consultancy firms (within or outside LAC) may be hired to support the work undertaken by the consortia. However, these should not be valued at more than 2.5% of the total budget for Steam 1 proposals, and 5% of the total budget for Stream 2 proposals. 

It is expected that, in order to effectively manage the projects, each consortium should include no more than three main collaborating organizations, although in some cases, larger consortia may be desirable (this should be explained in the EOI). Additional organizations may also be involved as participants. They can receive funding as consultants or be involved in the project without receiving funding. Multilateral agencies, including those that are part of the United Nations system, may participate in the call, but should not be the lead applicant, nor should their participation count as being “within the region”, so the limits described above should apply.