In 2009, the project will be able to provide support to network members for new research projects. We invite you to submit applications, within the three themes agreed on by the network, following the process described below. We encourage joint applications which support comparative case study material around a common theme and team work. Justification must be given for the comparisons to be made.

Themes for 2009 applications

1. Adaptation to changing conditions

    

Adaptation processes  to changing conditions can refer to many aspects of rural livelihoods- markets, climatic changes, industrialization or  urbanization to mention a few. You may want to focus for example in market research, not only on markets a places of  marketing and exchange of goods but pay attention to the different actors involved and how rural markets actually work in practice. You may wish to focus on climate change  from the point of  how it affects rural livelihoods, men and women or different groups looking at production, institutions or changing access to natural resources. You may wish to contrast different types of locations (remote, close to urban centres for example) or social groups, or migration and vulnerability.

2. Rural Development Policy and Practice

    

A growing number of researchers within  RDViet  carry out policy related research as little is known about how policy is actually applied in practice. Under this invitation theme you may identify a particular aspect of policy  relevant to rural development, including aspects of the new Government strategy of “Tam Nong”. Research project proposals can be formulated around the analysis of a specific policy and how it has been applied in practice, from the implementation process to its impact. This should be seen as an exercise in policy evaluation.

3. Understanding Livelihoods options and reasons for poverty

    

Studies under this theme can for example focus on cases of chronic poverty and

how  the poor  “participate” in development on different terms.  Studies may

relate to   selling or  leasing of land, labour, responding to policy  or development projects, access to resources   etc.. What are the risks and insecurities that they face and how do they deal with these?

Instructions for applicants:

1.      You are invited to first submit a concept note.  You will find guidelines for the concept note attached.  The deadline for submitting concept notes to RDViet email: rdviet@vnn.vn is  April 1, 2009.   

2.      We will notify  you  if your concept note is  accepted and  invite you to submit full application around the middle of April. The deadline for submitting a full proposal will be May 5^th  2009.  

3.      A budget is  available for your research  to a maximum of  USD 5000 per  project ( multiple for comparative study  with two or more graduates) and your application should include budget estimates.

4.      The research should be carried out in 2009 and outcome presented at the 6^th annual scientific meeting of VS-RDE-01, 2010

5.      All researchers who receive  grants from VS-RDE-01 must submit both a final report and submit a scientific paper for either a international or national journal. Researchers should also give high priority to attend analytical writing workshops  organized within the project. 

6.      We encourage collaborative work (teams of two or more with a named team leader) to build comparative analysis and team work but you may also submit  separate individual proposals. If you plan a team approach budget should be allocated for collaborative meetings.

7.      Each concept note should contain a proposed work schedule of activities and outputs.