ILRI CapDev Grand Challenge
The ILRI CapDev Grand Challenge is designed to complement graduate research and technical/scientific training, by boosting soft skills and systems thinking capability. The primary target group is graduate students and researchers from partner and national organizations in countries where ILRI works. The expected major outcome is that these early career researchers are able to strongly contribute, not just new research evidence, but also to development outcomes and impacts by deploying scientific evidence to influence decision makers in the livestock sector. For this to be achieved, they must be systems thinkers, effective communicators and negotiators, and be effective at building diverse relationships and working in teams across disciplines, stakeholders and institutions.
The Challenge covers a 16-to-18-month period, starting with a 3-minute research pitching contest. This is followed by soft skills training involving 10 courses in 10 months, and a deepening phase when participants apply their acquired skills in the workplace, while virtually mentored and supported to attend international events. The final activity is a comprehensive impact tracking survey.
Key dates and steps
- Launch of the 2021/22 CapDev Grand Challenge cycle: 2 November 2021.
- Registration and submission of 3-minute research pitches: 2 November 2021 to 15 January 2022.
- Close of registration: 10 December 2021
- Briefing to registered participants: 14 December 2021
- Deadline for submission of recorded 3-minute research pitches: 15 January 2022
- Announcement of Challenge finalists to participate in pitching contest: 15 February 2022
- 3-minute research pitching contest: 16 March 2022
- Announcement of pitching contest winners/Awards ceremony: 18 March 2022
- 10-in10 training: 22 March to 30 November 2022
Who is eligible to participate?
- ILRI Fellows (all categories) with active contracts at launch of the Challenge
- Nominees by partners institutions (by invitation)
- ILRI fellowship alumni who had active contracts anytime in 2021
- ILRI scientists are free to participate
More details
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