The Tiny Beam Fund invites Researchers to apply for Burning Questions Initiative (BQI) Research Planning Grants Program. Tiny Beam Fund’s flagship Burning Questions Initiative (BQI) was launched as a response to a specific need, such as the need for a much deeper understanding of the complex problems associated with large-scale, industrial animal agriculture, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and the need to translate the understanding into practical steps to address the problems.
Burning Questions Research Planning Grants Program
Supports the planning of research work and the advancement of recently launched projects related to a set of “Burning Questions” they have collected from leaders of NGOs trying to understand and find solutions to industrial food animal production’s negative impacts, particularly concerning developing countries. For example:
⦁ Hire graduate students to assist with preliminary literature surveys
⦁ For teaching buyouts to focus on planning
⦁ Undertake pilot studies (e.g. studies that help produce a ‘proof of concept’) that will lead to full studies
⦁ Pay a coordinator to assemble a multi-disciplinary team for a large research project (e.g. identify and contact possible members for the team)
Burning Questions Categories:
⦁ Production & supply (PROD)
⦁ Consumption & demand (CON)
⦁ Governments & Policies (GOV)
⦁ Agribusiness & value chains (AGB)
⦁ Economic and financial Aspects (ECON)
⦁ Social Movements & NGOs (SOC)
⦁ Environmental issues (ENV)
⦁ Animal welfare issues (AW)
Purpose of Research Planning Grants Program
- The purpose of the grants is to support academics who would like to develop projects or who have recently launched projects that are highly relevant to the “burning questions”. The aim is to strengthen and speed up the projects, and to encourage researchers to explore new ideas.
- Recipients can use the grants to test concepts and approaches, figure out plans, and lay strong foundations.
- Grants should not be used for projects that are already well on their way to completion.
Applicants must be prepared to take steps to move their plans forward after the end of the award period if the exploratory work funded by the grants shows promise. (If the work supported by a grant reveals that it does not make sense to keep developing the original plan/project, then it is fine to abandon it.)
Funding Information
Each applicant can request a grant amount from US$5,000 (minimum) to $15,000 (maximum).
The award period is six months. Grantees should choose a start date of August 15 – November 15, 2023.
Grants are paid in full at the beginning of award periods.
Eligibility
⦁ (The “burning questions” are asked by leaders of NGOs and funders who are trying to understand and find solutions to large-scale/industrial food animal production’s negative impacts, particularly concerning low- and middle-income countries.)
⦁ Applicants (or the PI/lead member of a team) must be employed by universities /academic research institutions that can receive the grants. Grants are sent directly to successful applicants’ institutions.
⦁ The institution that receives a grant need not be located in the U.S., but it should be equivalent to a US-based not-for-profit tax-exempt organization. And it must be able to accept grants in U.S. dollars. (Tiny Beam Fund reserves the right to withdraw a grant offer if, upon further inquiry, the institution cannot be determined as an organization to which Tiny Beam Fund can provide grants as per U.S. Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations.)
⦁ An applicant (or the PI/lead member of a team) must hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent).
⦁ A team should consist of 2 – 4 members. Apart from the principal applicant whose institution receives the grant, the other team members need not be Ph.D. holders/students or have university connections.
How to Apply
click here to apply
Overview
Types of opportunity: Grant
Worth: $5,000 – $15,000
Deadline: April 6th – 8th June 2023
Open to: all
Organizer: Tiny Beam Fund
Country: Worldwide
For more information, visit Burning Questions Research Planning Grants Program.
