Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) Support for Research on Mountains and Mountain Regions in the Context of the Belmont Forum CRA Call.
The MRI, as a co-head of the Cluster of Cooperation (CLOC) CONÉCTATE A+, is offering funding and in-kind support to consortia conducting research on mountains and mountain regions in the context of climate, ecosystems, and health. The funding is available to research teams affiliated with CLOC CONÉCTATE A+ member institutions in Switzerland and certain countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, with eligibility determined by the location of the hosting institution of the main applicant. Consortia must include at least one eligible CLOC CONÉCTATE A+ member from Switzerland and one from a LAC country. The proposed research must include mountainous areas or explicitly address connections between lowlands and highlands to be considered for funding.
Through the funding available via the CLOC CONÉCTATE A+, up to $50,000 USD in total funding is available for CLOC members for up to two projects, and in-kind support from the MRI may include access to data and information, eligibility to participate in workshops and activities, and seek assistance in identifying expert researchers. In-kind support can be requested at any stage of the research project.
Research teams studying mountainous areas or mountain-related themes can receive in-kind contributions from the MRI Coordination Office to help meet their research objectives. The contributions can include (but are not necessarily limited to) access to data and information via the MRI’s Global Network on Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO Mountains), workshops and activities hosted by the MRI, and connections with researchers or research groups with the necessary expertise. These resources can be requested at any stage of the research project, from proposal preparation to implementation.
Eligibility and Timeline
Proposals must be eligible to receive funding from at least three Belmont Forum participating Partner Organizations established in three different countries and should include researchers from the natural sciences (including climate), health/medical sciences, social and economic sciences or humanities, as well as societal partners (i.e. public health organizations, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations). Researchers and societal partners from countries not supported by any of the partner agencies can participate in the research project at their own expense.
This call has a two-stage submission process. Deadlines for submission are:
- Pre-proposal (mandatory for full proposal submission) is due on 15 July 2023, 20:00 UTC and must be submitted online at www.bfgo.org.
- Capacity Building Activities and Collaborative Networking activities will begin in January and continue to December 2023. These activities and projects are voluntary and are designed to enhance each consortia’s proposal.
- Full proposals to be submitted online by January, 2024
All proposals must be written in English.
A brief communication or expression of interest will need to be submitted to the MRI via email (mri@mountainresearchinitiative.org) ahead of the proposal submission, indicating that the consortia will submit a proposal that requests funding or in-kind contribution from the MRI as part of its proposed requested budget.
