The online application form for the 2010 Dissertation Proposal Awards is now open. The application deadline is Friday, April 16th, 2010.

The Center for Business Education at the Aspen Institute (Aspen CBE ) is pleased to announce the sponsorship of its 4th annual award for promising dissertation research.  The purpose of this award is to identify innovative research in core business disciplines that considers the interdependence between business decision-making and a wider societal or environmental context. Dissertation Proposal Award winners are celebrated at an Aspen Institute function in New York City, receive recognition in both online and print brochures, are awarded a $1500 honorarium, and further benefits are given throughout the year.  

Encouraging and supporting business school faculty is central to the success of many of the Aspen Institute's Center for Business Education initiatives.  In hopes of nurturing relationships with the next generation of faculty concerned with issues of environmental, ethical, and social importance, we introduced the Dissertation Proposal Award to encourage and recognize students showing interest in these issues while in their Ph.D. programs.

In addition to the annual Dissertation Proposal Award, Aspen CBE, in partnership with the Foundation for Enterprise Development and the Employee Ownership Foundation, is sponsoring a special Dissertation Proposal Award category this year: the Shared Capitalism through Employee Ownership Award.  Applicants must designate their intention to be considered for this Award on the Dissertation Proposal Award application form. 

All candidates for the Award must complete the online application form.  This online application will request:

2-3 page abbreviated Curriculum Vitae
1-2 page covering letter discussing your research interests and experience, and career plans
1-2 page summary of proposed dissertation research, or dissertation research in progress.  A reference should be made to the relevance of your research to the purpose of this award as outlined above.
One letter of recommendation from a professor familiar with your research plans.  

Eligibility :

1. Applicants must be doctoral students of business, or in a business-related discipline, in good standing with their educational institution, which must be a regionally accredited college or university.  Students worldwide are welcome to apply, but all materials must be submitted in English.  Applicants must be enrolled full-time or working on their dissertation research for an equivalent of full-time enrollment.
2. Applicants must have had their dissertation proposals approved by their dissertation committee or supervisor(s) prior to application; applicants must have not yet formally defended their dissertation.
3. Applicants must have no current existing financial relationship with the Aspen Institute.
4. Eligible research should be within core business disciplines, (including, but not limited to:  Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Finance, Information Technology and Systems, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Production and Operations Management, Strategy) and consider the interdependence between business decision-making and the wider societal / environmental context.  [The Aspen Institute uses the phrase “Social Impact Management” when discussing this concept, a brief description of which can be found here.]

Please click here to apply.
Contact: All questions should be directed, via email, to Justin Goldbach (justin.goldbach@aspeninst.org).

Permalink: www.aspencbe.org/awards/dissertation/2010ApplicationProcess.html

Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) presents the John Humphrey Award each year to an organization or individual from any region of the world for outstanding achievement in the promotion of human rights and democratic development. The Award consists of a grant of $30,000 and a speaking tour of Canadian cities to help increase awareness of the recipient’s human rights work. It is named in honour of the late John Peters Humphrey, the Canadian human rights law professor who prepared the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Eligibility 

• The nominee (an individual or an organization) must be committed to peace and non-violence.
• The nominee must be independent of any political party or governmental affiliation.
• Preference is given to those working at the frontline for the benefit of developing countries, under conditions hostile to the recognition and application of basic human and democratic rights.
• Preference will be given to those involved in the priority issues of Rights & Democracy: democratic development, women’s rights, rights of indigenous peoples, social and economic rights.
• The Award is given only to an individual or to an organization that is still active.
• Former staff or board members of Rights & Democracy are not eligible.
• Self-nominations by individuals or organizations are not eligible.

An International Jury The winner will be selected by an international jury composed of five members of Rights & Democracy’s Board of Directors : Aurel Braun, Guido Riveros Franck, Soyata Maïga, Marco Navarro-Génie and David Matas.

How to Submit a Nomination
Rights & Democracy invites you to submit a nomination by April 30, 2010.

This can be done by mail, fax or e-mail together with all the following documents in one package:

1. A letter from the nominator (with his or her address, phone number and e-mail) describing the nominee, his or her work and why he or she merits this Award;
2. A curriculum vitae or a profile of the nominee;
3. Supporting documentation such as articles written by or about the nominee, (e.g., press clippings, websites links);
4. At least three references (with addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses), who have in-depth knowledge of the candidate’s work, and who may be contacted by members of the jury for more detailed information.

Mailing address:
Rights & Democracy 2010 John Humphrey Award
1001 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East, Suite 1100
Montréal, Québec Canada H2L 4P9

Fax: (514) 283-3792
E-mail: pdaigle@dd-rd.ca

Deadline: April 30, 2010.

* Only the nominator will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a letter informing him or her of the selection of the laureate.

Part 1, Stockholm, Sweden, October 18 - November 5, 2010
Part 2, May 30 - June 3, 2011

The programme purpose of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons (LGBT) and Human Rights training programme is that participants after the programme should have useful tools and perspectives for working for LGBT persons’ human rights.

Deadline for Applications: April 9, 2010.

Candidates from the following countries to are invited to apply to this programme: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Moçambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The training is administered by RFSU, The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, in partnership with RFSL, The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trangender Rights and will be conducted in English.

Requested qualifications are:

• A minimum of three years workinge experience in either LGBT or Human Rights’ field or an academic degree in social sciences, law, public health or related fields of study.
• Equilavent knowledge obtained through similar experiences.

The following invitation attached provides further details of the training programme.

LGBT and Human Rights Training Programme_2010.pdf 172.90 kB
 LGBT and Human Rights Training Programme_2010_Application.pdf 69.07 kB

Sida will be covering the cost for participants concerning the participation fee, meals and accommodation. Personal expenses are not included. Sida will cover international travels, to and from Sweden for participants.

For further information, please visit Sida or RFSU

Youth-led organizations in developing countries working to improve the lives of young people and their communities can now seek financing for their projects through the UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund. The Fund will provide grants for innovative projects that promote employment, good governance, shelter and secure tenure.

Only applicants aged 15-32 from cities in developing countries can qualify for a grant. Support will be provided primarily for those working to improve slum conditions and to raise opportunities for young people growing up in poverty. Projects encouraging gender equality or involving partnerships with the government or the private sector are particularly welcome. Small development initiatives are eligible for grants of up to USD 5,000, and larger projects up to USD 25,000.

Deadline: 15 April 2010.
Details: www.unhabitat.org
Permalink: http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=637

Helping poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa overcome food crises and improve livelihoods is a complex challenge. It requires bold, innovative action. An essential step is strengthening the voice of Africa’s knowledgeable women, both on the farm and in the laboratories. Acting on this conviction, in 2007 the CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program launched African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). AWARD offers two-year fellowships to fast track the careers of African women delivering pro-poor research and development.

African women working in agricultural research and development from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in selected disciplines are invited to apply for the 2010 Award Fellowship. Applicants must be nationals of the above listed countries and be available in Africa throughout the fellowship period.

More information click here
Application forms can also be obtained by writing to AWARDFellows@cgiar.org

Deadline: March 22, 2010

Download the PDF version of AWARD at: www.genderdiversity.cgiar.org

Want to match wits with coders across the continent, test your skills on some tough algorithmic problems, or win a prize? Register now for Code Jam Africa!

Interested in Google internships? Register now and let us know! Outstanding performance in Code Jam Africa 2010 may be considered if you apply for an internship at our European Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

Need even more coding? Ready to take on the world? Stay tuned for Google's global Code Jam 2010!

Do you enjoy solving tough problems and grappling with technical challenges? You may practice on our past contests.

Google Code Jam is a coding competition in which professional and student programmers are asked to solve complex algorithmic challenges in a limited amount of time. The contest is all-inclusive: Google Code Jam lets you program in the coding language and development environment of your choice.

• Want to find a solution in your favourite language, or see how your country fared?
  Visit http://www.go-hero.net/jam.
  
• Ready for the next challenge? Learn about future contests. Sign up for Code Jam announcements, or to discuss Code Jam with other contestants.
  
• Want the latest updates in only 140 characters? Follow us on Twitter @googlecodejam. Meet other Code Jam fans on Facebook.
  
• Love solving problems? Too jammed to enter Code Jam? Interested in opportunities at Google? Find them here.
  

Key dates for 2010

The Integrated Research Partnerships for Malaria Control in Africa (IPMA) is a new initiative of IDRC’s Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health (Ecohealth) and Governance, Equity and Health (GEH) programs. 

In March 2010, IDRC will announce IPMA’s Call for Proposals:

• Funding: IPMA Stewardship Grants
• Total Value: CA$1.5 million
• Goal: To build an Africa-wide stewardship network for integrated malaria research
• Recipients: Up to three regional networks in malaria-endemic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa
• Duration: 2.5 years

IPMA
IPMA will support integrated malaria research in endemic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa:  that is research that creates synergies among environmental, health systems, and community-based approaches to malaria control. IPMA emphasizes systems thinking, collaboration across disciplines and regions, multi-stakeholder engagement, environmental sustainability, and social and gender equity.

The Call for Proposals
The Call for Proposals will catalyze the development of an Africa-wide stewardship network for integrated malaria research in endemic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.  It will address existing, formal or informal networks, each comprising up to three institutions in different countries located in the most affected malaria-endemic countries south of the Sahara.

• Grants will be designed to add value to the ongoing activities of each network member
• Grants will support innovative research and capacity enhancement for networking, advocacy, and fund-raising
• Grants will not fund the start-up of new research programs, clinical research, or intervention trials

Expected Outcomes 
1. Members of the network  will add to and enhance evidence and impacts from integrated research for malaria control
2. Regional champions will build an Africa-wide network for integrated research for malaria control
3. The network will successfully develop a resource mobilization & advocacy strategy 

Criteria  

Applying teams should be led by African not-for-profit institutions (including universities)

Applying networks should have a strong track record in collaborative and effective applied research on integrated approaches to malaria control 

Selection Process 

Teams will be selected upon submission of a short proposal, which will be evaluated by an international review committee.  

Selected teams will be invited to attend a proposal development workshop. The output of this workshop will be a joint full proposal from all teams to collaboratively build a cross-regional IPMA stewardship network.

Further information contact: ecohealth@idrc.ca  

About Canada’s International Development Research Centre
IDRC supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.

Ref: GSS/004/DAR/January 2010
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, ex-WARDA) seeks a highly qualified individual to fill the position of Research Technican for Weed Science at the General Support Staff (GSS) level at its regional East and Southern Africa station, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

The successful candidate will provide technical, administrative and program support to the Weed Scientist.
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice, ex-WARDA) Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is an autonomous intergovernmental research association of African member states. AfricaRice is also one of the 15 international agricultural
research Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). AfricaRice believes that diversity in its staff promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and nationals of developing countries. AfricaRice’s regional East and Southern Africa office is based in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Dar es Salaam, offers excellent living conditions for AfricaRice staff.

Position: Research Technician for Weed Science
Salary Grade: GSS – G 4.

Responsibilities
• Support the program agenda related to Weed Science, including monitoring and supervising of research activities in different countries
• Setting up a physical and digital herbarium of important weed species
• Assisting of students and NARS collaborators
• Plan, implement and monitor weed research activities
• Undertake any other duties as the Weed Scientist shall require
Criteria, Qualification and Experience

The successful candidate will have:
• An African nationality
• An BSc. degree in biological/agricultural sciences (preferably in botany, weed sciences or agronomy)
• Experience in experimental research, farmer surveys or farmer participatory approaches
• Knowledge and experience in plant species determination
• Ability to work under pressure, and to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment requiring good interpersonal and communication skills
• Capacity to conduct independent work and produce reliable results
• A high degree of professional motivation, flexibility, initiative, drive, reliability and willingness to learn and develop new skills

Application procedure:
Send by e-mail or post, (Subject: Weed Science RT application) a detailed CV with a cover letter and the names and addresses of three referees (including telephone, fax number and e-mail addresses) to:

Philomena Chundu
Administrative Assistant,
P.O. Box 33581,
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania,
Tel./Fax (office): +255 222780768
E-mail: p.chundu@cgiar.org / j.rodenburg@cgiar.org (Subject: Weed Science RT application)

N.B.: Applications should include detailed CV + one (01) page of your personal data:
Family name, first name, sex, date of birth, complete address, marital status, nationality, highest degree/diploma, number of years of relevant work experience for the position, ability to master AfricaRice working languages (English/French).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications will be considered until 26 February 2010.

Reward:  $20,000 USD
Type:  Theoretical-licensing
INNOCENTIVE 9096676
Make Water from Lake Victoria Safe to Drink! Reward:  $20,000 USD
Type:  Theoretical-licensing INNOCENTIVE 9096676
DEADLINE: March 11, 2010

This Challenge requires a design for an easy-to-use and robust method that purifies water from Lake Victoria so that it is safe to drink. This project is enabled by the Rockefeller Foundation. It is part of the Global Giveback Innovation Challenge Set.

Challenge overview
The waters of Lake Victoria contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae and other pollutants that cause enteric disease and death, especially amongst children under 5 years old. Existing methods of water purification are complex and often ineffective due to the need for sharing of centralized resources, electrical power networks, high cost, or complex maintenance routines.

What is InnoCentive?
InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.  

What is a Theoretical-licensing Challenge?
An InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge implements an idea but is not yet a proof of concept. A solution to a Theoretical Challenge will solidify the Solver's concept with detailed descriptions, specifications and requirements necessary to bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product or service.  

This Challenge is a Theoretical-Licensing Challenge, meaning that the Seeker is requesting non-exclusive rights to use the winning solution. By contrast, Theoretical-IP Transfer means that Solvers must relinquish all rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) for which they are awarded. For both forms of a theoretical Challenge, solvers that do not win retain the rights to their solution after the evaluation period is complete. The Seeker retains no rights to any IP not awarded.

Permalink: https://gw.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9096676?cc=lakevicic2010

Medicinal chemistry and Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics partners to support lead discovery for infectious tropical diseases

Background
TDR is supporting innovative research on neglected disease through focused and time-limited activities. The Lead Discovery Business line of TDR (LDR) aims to facilitate the discovery of new drug leads for infectious tropical diseases through North- South networks and partnerships between public and private sectors as well as academic institutions. Through the TDRs screening activities, several confirmed hits and lead compounds have become available for further SAR exploration and progression for several TDR target diseases including schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, filariasis, African sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

We are now seeking partners with expertise in medicinal chemistry, and DMPK to take on the optimization of available molecules evaluated through the TDR screening network. We strongly encourage applications from developing countries as we hope that work on these molecules will contribute to development of innovation in developing countries and contribute to the implementation of emerging regional innovation networks exemplified by the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) and ongoing discussions for Asian and South American Networks.

Project description

• Academic and research institutions, biotech and pharmaceutical companies possessing processes and capabilities in medicinal chemistry, drug metabolism and/or pharmacokinetics are encouraged to apply. Collaboration objectives are to:
• Support development of molecules through different research stage (Hit to Lead and Lead optimization)
• Work as part of the TDR drug discovery network and reporting of SAR data (chemical or biological information) to the TDR database
• Collaborate with the existing North South screening or DMPK networks of TDR for biological testing of compounds
• Participate in the development of project objectives, timelines, as well as implementation of action points identified by the TDR drug discovery committee.
• Participate in the identification of downstream partners for further compound progression and development, for example, transfer of project to the regional networks including local public private partnerships.
• Support training of fellows from disease endemic countries as an integral part of the project.

Candidate Selection
Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: experience and track record and experience of Principal Investigator (PI) and institution in synthetic or medicinal chemistry and DMPK, availability of basic infrastructure for synthetic/medicinal chemistry and DMPK, access to primary in vitro screens, and ability to guide post-doctoral chemists in the synthesis of analogues to explore SAR for optimization of anti-parasitic activity of compounds. Applicants are asked to develop a detailed implementation proposal covering technical and capacity building elements, budget and timelines.
Deadline

The deadline for proposals is March 31st 2010. Selected applicants will be contacted after the reviewing process.

How to apply
Please contact Ms Socorro Alias with any queries. The TDR Collaborative Research Grant form template should be used for all proposals.
Download the form here

On completion please submit electronically to aliass@who.int before the above deadline. Any additional documents may be submitted as appendices to this form (e.g. CVs of PI and research team, institutional letter of support).