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Thematic and Conceptual Framework for Project Proposals
FRIDA Program allowed us to explore the existence of innovative initiatives on a broad thematic spectrum within the field of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), example of which are the near 50 projects that were executed within the period 2004-2008.
The Regional Plan of Action, eLAC 2007, a document subscribed by governments in Rio de Janeiro in June, 2005, is the main framework that determines the thematic areas to be prioritized during the current phase of the FRIDA Program, having selected those in which it is possible to better support and complement the actions of the region’s governments through a program such as FRIDA.
The present summons aims at promoting the presentation of innovative research projects in the field of ICTs, focusing on subject matter having to do with:
- Developing and exploring new technologies (IPv6, WiFi, Wi-Max, VoIP and others);
- Regional interconnection;
- Access and digital inclusion (community centers, online health centers, online schools and libraries, local governments, regional infrastructure, employment);
- Capacity-building and knowledge creation (software, training, research and education networks, science and technology, firms, creative and content industries, internet governance);
- Electronic government;
- Institutional frameworks.
In addition, in order to be considered by FRIDA projects must aim at furthering one of the following three goals:
Developing or adapting new technologies and standards. This includes initiatives where the main areas covered by the investigation originate from technical or technological issues (connectivity, security, IPv6 applications, etc.) The object of the investigation focuses mainly on innovating technical aspects of ICTs that are of great importance for strengthening the Internet within the region.
Modernization of public policies and regulations. The research is mainly originated by the desire to solve regulatory aspects having to do with regulations, legislation and public policy issues, which must be taken into account and adapted in order to allow a broad and effective use of ICTs in our societies. The irruption of ICTs has generated the need to adapt rules and legislation and their application within our region, which in turn requires adapting and modernizing the legal instruments available in each country with the aim of achieving convergence throughout the region, enabling development and helping society take advantage of the benefits.
Social innovation in the use of new technologies for development. This groups research initiatives that involve the resolution of problems originated by the use of ICTs, particularly regarding underprivileged sectors, and which have great social impact, such as those having to do with new forms of employment, new forms of education, and new ways of producing goods and services. This area may also involve the investigation of social, human or economic aspects of the use of ICTs and their utilization on the part of the social groups involved.
Proposals must involve investigations relating to technologies or standards or be based on technologies and standards that, while innovative or having the possibility of generating innovation, analyze on the one hand, aspects relative to their impact on regulations and the policies necessary for their effective implementation and broad adoption (influence on policies), and on the other hand the possibility of their materialization into uses that will benefit the most underprivileged sectors of the population (social aspect).
Amounts Awarded and Duration of the Projects
FRIDA will fund annual projects with amounts up to U$S 15,000.
Activities or components that are not directly related to the execution of the projects shall not be funded.
If the evaluation and selection committee identifies an initiative as exceptional for its value for the region, FRIDA could decide to give additional funds.
How to Apply for a Project
Those organizations interested in applying to receive support from the FRIDA must:
- Download the “Research Project Submission Form”
- Complete the information requested according to the guidelines contained in the form itself.
- Enclose at the end of the form complementary information considered relevant for the evaluation of the proposal if necessary.
- Send an e-mail to convocatoria2009@programafrida.net including Name and Country of the Proposing Organization in the Subject and attach the Form filled in. The body of the message must include: Project Title and contact information.
Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation of the reception of the message. Should you not receive this confirmation, please verify that your e-mail is correctly addressed.
Please bear in mind that once the proposal reception term concludes, this e-mail account will no longer receive any submission.
For information relating to applications, please contact proyectos@programafrida.net .
Please do not use this address to send a project, it will not be considered.
Application Process Terms and Stages
The deadline for this call is October 5 2009 at 20:00 UTC.
After the deadline to submit applications, they are subject to a process of comprehensive analysis, considering not only formal aspects (information presented and pertinence with the FRIDA objectives) but also scientific aspects. This examination includes the analysis of the quality, background and originality of the proposed research project among others. Proposals whether there is any missing or inconsistent information will not be considered in the formal evaluation and selection process.
Proposals that are selected at the 2009 Summons for receiving financial support will be notified on December 1, 2009. After that date they must sign a Contract that will establish the conditions that will govern the relationship between FRIDA and the organization responsible for the project execution, as well as aspects relating to technical and financial follow-up.
Preparing the Project Proposal
The Project Proposal form must contain all the information necessary for its appropriate evaluation on the part of the Evaluation and Selection Committee. Typically this implies a description of the proposal containing between 10 and 15 pages, including the content of the annexes. The latter must provide information that complements the contents of the proposal, and their extension must be reasonable to allow their study. All relevant information must be included in the body of the proposal, not in the annexes.
Indispensable Information
Background and Problem Identification
The proposal must clearly define the problem that originated the project and its relevance. Bear in mind that this problem must be solved through the execution of the project. In addition, include the most relevant background information relating to the research that is being proposed. Briefly describe why the FRIDA Program should support the execution of your proposal; particularly, point out the innovative character and the impact that is anticipated as a consequence of the execution of the project, in relation to the community, the region, and the organizations presenting the proposal.
General and Specific Objectives
Clearly define the general objective or goal of the project (pertaining to the main diagnosed problem) and the specific objectives that relate to the partial resolution of the problem, which in combination will allow the fulfillment of the main objective.
Beneficiaries
Clearly describe the groups that will be the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the results attained by the project.
Research Strategy and Methodology
The proposal must describe the set of actions to be carried out as well as the methodologies chosen to attain the proposed objective, stating the reason for this choice and compare with other possible alternatives.
Timetable
Describe clearly and chronologically the activities relevant to each objective, stating anticipated start-dates and end-dates and the important assumptions.
Expected Results
Describe the concrete products that will be generated by the project, including both intermediate and final products.
Results Indicators
There must be at least one verifiable indicator for each expected result.
Important assumptions
Record the important assumptions on which the success of the project depends and the risks that have been considered.
Proposing Organization
Please detail the relevant information of the project Proposing Organization which will be responsible for its execution. Include name and surname of the responsible person, contact information, and relevant background of the organization that justifies the success on the conduction of the proposed project. Remember that the Proposing Organization will be legally responsible for the management of the project and the funds granted by FRIDA.
Technical Team
The names, academic background and relevant experience of the persons having relevant participation in the execution of the project must be stated. Particularly of the person who will be technically and administratively in charge of executing the proposal.
Follow-up and Evaluation
The normal process for reporting the progress of the project includes not only technical reports but also administrative and financial reports. In addition, complementary reports may be required, and surveys and/or telephone interviews may be conducted. These will allow a better overview of the execution of the projects and of the Fund as a whole.
Each project financed by FRIDA will be assigned, for its follow-up, a specialist on the subject matter covered by the project, who will perform periodic analysis of the information submitted and evaluate technical progress reports. If necessary, the specialist may visit the project's head office in order to discuss and study critical aspects of its progress.
Likewise, final reports must allow us to determine the correct allocation of resources according to the established goals, as well as to verify the validity of the tools that were used.
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