ICCCAD IFSD Researcher Fellowship Grant 2023

The deadline for application is 15^th October 2023

The International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) is one of the leading research and capacity building organisations working on climate change and development in Bangladesh. ICCCAD’s aim is to develop a world-class institution that is closely related to local experience, knowledge and research in one of the countries that is most affected by climate change. It is our mission to gain and distribute knowledge on climate change and, specifically, adaptation and thereby helping people to adapt to climate change with a focus on the global south. By focusing on such work in Bangladesh, ICCCAD allows international participants to gain direct knowledge of the issues in a real-world context. Through the expertise of ICCCAD and its local partners, international organisations will be exposed to relevant and grounded knowledge that can be shared and transmitted around the world for the benefit of other LDCs, and their governments, donors and international NGOs

Background

With climate change impact accelerating, it has become evident that vulnerable communities and countries in the Global South are affected most. Every year, the most vulnerable communities and countries are exposed to severe losses and damages caused by human induced climate change. The impact and the resulting losses and damages are beyond the adaptive capacity of the developing countries. Climate change induced losses and damages are distributed unevenly across the planet.

As climate change impact crosses the limit of adaptive capacity across the vulnerable region, this has exposed limits of current adaptation and resilience building paradigm of science and policy. There is now a need for a new paradigm of thinking and response to deal with the unavoidable losses and damages, building on and integrating adaptation and disaster risk reduction approaches.

There are several critical knowledge gaps that hamper productive and effective response to climate induced losses and damages. First and foremost, confusion persists around what loss and damages are. There is a lack of historical data which severely hinders the establishment of an effective mechanism and strategy for assessment in Global South to tackle climate change induced Loss and Damage (L&D). Another area of knowledge gap is to identify and address effective L&D responses through channelling and reorganising national institutional architecture created for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

To address the knowledge gap on L&D in most vulnerable countries in the Global South, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and Institute for Study and Development Worldwide (IFSD) are jointly implementing the Project ‘Strengthening Loss and Damage response capacity in the Global South (STRENGTH)’, with the support from International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The project has different components like research, capacity building and advocacy.

This project’s general objective is to address the knowledge and capacity gaps on L&D in most vulnerable countries in the Global South. This will enable these countries to avert, minimise and address loss and damage through L&D policy and implementation mechanisms and work collectively to develop common and coherent approach to international policy negotiations within and beyond the UNFCCC. This project will try to clarify key conceptual dilemmas around the understanding and applicable principles for the operationalisation of L&D; create learning opportunities for key research and policy champions in the vulnerable countries and facilitate cross-country knowledge sharing focusing on emerging issues and responses around L&D. As part of this project, ICCCAD and IFSD is offering a Researcher Fellowship Grant to address critical knowledge gaps on L&D in the most vulnerable countries in the Global South. Under this project, research proposals are requested from the early researchers and master’s students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Vanuatu and Senegal who will receive financial and technical assistance.

Objective of the Research Fellowship Grant

The objective of the Researcher Fellowship Grant is to support researchers in conducting innovative and impactful research to address knowledge gaps related to Loss and Damage in the most vulnerable countries in the Global South. The fellowship aims to generate insights, strategies, and recommendations that can contribute to building resilience and response capacity in the face of climate-induced losses and damages.

Scope of Research

The fellowship grant is open to research proposals that align with the broader objectives of the STRENGTH project and address some of the following areas of knowledge gaps (not limited to)

Analysing historical and current data on climate-induced loss and damage
Assessing the economic and non-economic impacts of climate-induced loss and damage
Exploring the role of insurance and risk management in addressing loss and damage
Examining the social and psychological impacts of loss and damage
Investigating legal and policy frameworks related to loss and damage
Exploring potential /financing mechanisms for addressing loss and damage
Examining the gender and social inclusion (GESI) dimensions of climate-induced loss and damage
Exploring the links between loss and damage, climate-induced migration, and potential implications for social stability.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants affiliated with research organizations, or civil society organizations must be working on climate change, L&D, or related fields
Applicants must have strong research skills and a proven track record of academic or professional excellence in the field of climate change and development
Strong communication and interpersonal skills are valued, as fellows may be expected to engage with stakeholders, present their findings, and participate in relevant events
Priority may be given to applicants who have prior experience working in developing countries or addressing climate change and development challenges in those contexts
The research proposal should align with the objectives and priorities of the ICCCAD IFSD fellowship

Eligibility:

Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as environmental science, climate studies, sustainable development, geography, gender studies/social science or a related discipline
Enrollment in the Master’s Program is mandatory
Having a minimum CGPA of 3.30
Working experience on climate change issues or having a strong motivation to conduct research on environmental sustainability and climate change issues
Writing a thesis is mandatory
Must possess the good analytical skills
Must be a citizen from one of following countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Vanuatu and Senegal

What we are offering:

Financial and technical support
Each selected candidate will get around 2000 GBP (including all additional charges like VAT, Bank Charge etc.) to conduct research/thesis. Total 3 grants will be provided
Additional mentoring from L&D experts (separate from their academic supervisors) in any stage of conducting research and writing report

Documents Required

Curriculum Vitae
Research proposal (Theme: Loss and Damage). The proposal should include a detailed budget breakdown and a timeline for the research project
Recommendation from academic advisors, professors, or employers who can attest to their capabilities, motivation, and potential to succeed in a master’s program
Statement of purpose (one page)
Contact information for references who can verify their qualifications and suitability for the fellowship grant
Copy of Academic Transcript

Selection Process

All submitted research proposals will undergo a rigorous selection process conducted by a review committee comprising experts in the field of climate change and L&D
Applicant must pass through a basic selection criteria basic selection criterion mentioned above for accepting their application. A selection committee consistent of four members (ICCCAD -2, IFSD -2) will assess the submitted proposal. The selection criteria will be as below-

Documents Required

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Academic transcripts or records to demonstrate their academic achievements
Research proposal (Theme: Loss and Damage)
Recommendation from academic advisors, professors, or employers who can attest to their capabilities, motivation, and potential to succeed in a master’s program.
Statement of purpose outlining their reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in climate change and development, their career goals, and how the program will contribute to their professional growth
Contact information for references who can verify their qualifications and suitability for the master’s program
Copy of Academic Transcript

Selection Process

A selection committee will review the proposals and select the most suitable applicant(s) for the grant award
Applicant must pass through a basic selection criteria mentioned above for accepting their application. A selection committee consistent of members from T1 countries will review the submitted proposal. The evaluation criteria will be as below-

Reporting and Dissemination

Reporting Requirements: The grant recipient(s) will be required to submit quarterly progress reports
The selected applicant will submit research report to the project team after completing the research
Upon completion of the research, fellows will be expected to present their findings in a final research report and participate in knowledge-sharing events organized by ICCCAD and IFSD
Fellows will be encouraged to publish their research findings in reputable academic journals and present their work at relevant conferences and seminars
Intellectual Property Rights
Fellows will retain intellectual property rights to their research work; however, they will be required to acknowledge the ICCCAD and IFSD Researcher Fellowship Grant in all publications and presentations related to the research

Ethics and Compliance:

The grant recipient(s) must adhere to ethical standards, including those related to research involving human subjects, data protection, and plagiarism. Compliance with relevant national and international regulations and guidelines is essential

Confidentiality and Data Protection
All proposals and related documents submitted in response to this grant opportunity will be treated as confidential by the funding organization. Personal information provided by applicants will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations

Payment modality

The 50% fund will be disbursed in-advance to awarded individuals to her/his Bank accounts (or A/C pay cheque). The rest 50% will be disbursed after submitting the final version of the research report

How to apply
Every applicant has to submit a research proposal and other documents mentioned above to Nusrat Naushin, Programme Coordinator, ICCCAD, Email: nusrat.naushin@icccad.org.

The deadline of the application is 15 October 2023

All qualified applicants, including women, people with disabilities, and cultural minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Timeline
Application Deadline: 15 October, 2023
Notification of Selection: 25 October, 2023 (Tentative)
Interview: 06 November, 2023 (Tentative)
Fellowship Duration: 01 December, 2023 to 31st December, 2023

Note: The Terms of Reference (ToR) is subject to revision and amendments based on project requirements and guidelines from ICCCAD and IFSD. The final fellowship award will be contingent upon the successful completion of all application requirements and compliance with the evaluation criteria

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