Guidelines

At this time the partnership is only available to current MKTPlace projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PDF Version of Guidelines for Development and Submission of Concept Notes

Update: 01 July 2016

Annex 2. GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMISSION OF CONCEPT NOTES
An innovative partnership with the University of California – Davis to strengthen the Agricultural Innovation Marketplace
I. PRESENTATION
This initiative aims to establish partnerships between Researchers from UC Davis and the LAC MKTPlace project co-leaders to support the solution of specific problems that might arise during MKTPlace project implementation. The project co-leaders will be assisted by the Researcher to develop collaborative research activities and discussion aimed to overcome those challenges. The selected projects will have the opportunity to implement activities that can be up to two months of duration that may include but are not limited to work at either UC Davis or the project site.
II. ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA
Only co-leaders of ongoing MKTPlace projects in LAC countries can apply.
III. GENERAL GUIDELINES
a. Funds will be made available for each selected project to cover travel costs, per diem, supplies and bench and other fees, if applicable;
b. “Expression of Interest” and “Concept Note” must be written in English and in accordance with these guidelines in order to receive full consideration;
c. A budget is not required for “Expression of Interest”;
d. The call for Concept Notes will be permanently open and requests accommodated in accordance with demand by research projects and resource availability, and the existence of a UC Davis Researcher available to assist co-leaders to resolve the reported problem.

IV. FUNDING AND PROJECT LENGTH
Funding (between 20,000.00 and 40,000.00 dollars per selected project) will be granted with the maximum stay of project partners at UC Davis or project sites of up to two months.
V. SELECTION PROCESS
The process will have two steps:
Step 1. “Expression of Interest” must be written by LAC project co-leaders and it should be submitted to the Committee (via e-mail: contactus@mktplace.org). The Committee will evaluate it and it will identify one UC Davis Researcher to serve as co-leaders’ counterpart.
Step 2. The co-leaders and the identified UC Davis Researcher will be responsible for developing a “Concept Note”. The note should be submitted to the Committee (via e-mail: contactus@mktplace.org). The Committee will evaluate and select Concepts Notes to be supported by the initiative.
The Committee will evaluate the “Expression of Interest” and “Concept Note” according to the criteria outlined below.
VI. TEMPLATE FOR “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST” AND “CONCEPT NOTES”
Expression of Interest (maximum of 1200 characters):
a. Brief description of the problem and its relevance.

Concept Note:
a. Specific problem to be addressed (maximum of 700 characters);
b. Objectives (maximum of 500 characters);
c. Expected results (maximum of 700 characters);
d. Methodology (maximum of 700 characters);
e. Budget;
e. Workplan.
VII. CONCEPT NOTE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The proposals will be assessed according to the clarity and precision points listed below.
a. Problem definition;
b. Objectives;
c. Methodology;
d. Expected results.

For further information on this initiative, please contact us via email at:
contactus@mktplace.org or
UC Davis, United States: Roberto Sainz (rdsainz@ucdavis.edu)
Marketplace, Brazil: Luciano Nass (luciano.nass@embrapa.br)