At the IAP Executive Committee meeting in Trieste in February 2007, it was agreed that from January 2008 IAP support to programmes would be provided on the basis of merit and following a competitive review process. IAP now invites applications from member academies and regional networks for projects to run from January 2011.

The criteria against which proposals will be reviewed are as follows:

1. Global scope  - Broad regional support from academies/networks and activities shared across a number of different countries/regions – since IAP is a worldwide organisation and has regional networks an application will be more favourably reviewed if it comes from a geographically diverse set of organizations, and relates to activity which is broadly regionally relevant

2. Strategic fit  -  Programmes which are aligned to IAP’s core missions of capacity building and strengthening academies ability to influence policy,  which can be implemented in partnership with sister organizations such as IAC and IAMP, and which do not duplicate activity/effort elsewhere will be more favourably reviewed – this will ensure that all activities funded by the IAP are aligned to the core goals of the organisation, as well as the Strategic Plan II (2010-2012) adopted by the IAP General Assembly in January 2010. It also ensures we are working in partnership with our sister organisations where relevant, and that we have clarity that we are not repeating activity already being carried out elsewhere. In addition, IAP welcomes the submission of projects which address the recommendations of the Biodiversity Conference Communiqué issued in January 2010.

3. Results  - A clearly defined set of outputs from the Programme – especially in terms of tools which IAP member academies and networks can use nationally or regionally to influence policy, and/or which will strengthen those academies or networks. This focuses the efforts of the Programme into the production of deliverables which will have a life beyond the duration of the programme, as well as allowing us to share the results widely

4. Structure and value for money  -  A clear budget for the activity, including the support requested from IAP for the expected duration of the Programme,  indication of financial or in-kind contributions from participating academies, networks and other organizations, and a clear workplan, with milestones and key performance indicators for the duration of the project – a clearly broken-down budget for the activity showing that it has been planned appropriately, and that lets IAP have clarity in the allocation of its funding over the next three years. To ensure the activities are sustainable, IAP will expect participating academies or networks to contribute, when possible, at least some of the resources for the initiative. This will also indicate that academies and networks are properly resourced to be able to carry out the activity.

IAP Members and Regional Networks are invited to proceed to the online application form at:

http://www.interacademies.net/CMS/grants2011.aspx