We have an exciting opportunity available through the STAARS+ Fellows program!
The STAAARS+ Fellows program, under the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence (PRCI), is a collaboration between Cornell University, Michigan State University (MSU), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to advance rigorous, policy-oriented food security research on topics of inclusive agricultural- and rural transformation, development of healthy food systems, and enhanced resilience at individual, household, national and regional levels in Africa and Asia. The objective is to build and reinforce an effective policy research culture within African and Asian policy research organizations that can help build and sustain research capacity beyond the life of PRCI and the STAAARS+ program. STAAARS+ is an extension of the Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Space (STAARS) Fellows program run by Cornell University since 2016, with the important differences that STAAARS+ (i) is a team-based program focused on strengthening the capacity of research organizations, rather than just individual researchers, (ii) encompasses Asia (in future rounds, not in this current round) as well as Africa, and (iii) emphasizes policy engagement beyond rigorous research and peer-reviewed publication.
STAAARS+ teams will be selected through a competitive process and paired with mentors at Cornell, IFPRI or MSU, with whom they will jointly author a paper on a topic of mutual interest that fits within the broad PRCI research priorities. STAAARS+ will support the development of research findings publishable in high quality, peer-reviewed journals; facilitate access to policy outreach networks and policy engagement materials; and support teams’ participation in scientific and policy conferences.
Learn more and Apply Here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/prci-staaars-program-request-for-proposals
For guidance, it is recommended that you view this presentation and attend the PRCI Gender Webinar to be held on February 6, 2020 at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST. If you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording will be available shortly after the live event at the following link.
The deadline to submit a concept proposal is Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 12:00 noon New York time. Applicants should submit their completed proposal via email to STAAARS_plus@cornell.edu.