VACS Hubs Capacity

Web Survey form 1- Hubs: Phase 2 Hub

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Terms of Reference Eligibility and Selection criteria

Hub Terms of Reference

A VACS Capacity Hub is an African or global institution that is prepared to enable a cohort of scientists in Africa to deliver against the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS). To deliver on capacitating VACS Fellows cohorts, VACS Capacity Hubs will draw on demonstrated experience in providing mentorship, training, and capacity-building opportunities. This includes building and delivering curricula on plant breeding and soft-skills-related topics; handson and virtual training in laboratory and research-based techniques and plant breeding program development; facilitating placement of graduate scholars in appropriate host institutions to conduct research towards their degree; facilitating placement of professional trainees in appropriate internship opportunities (1-6 months); providing mentoring opportunities; and promoting mentorship.

Hubs are expected to work with diverse African and global organizations, ranging from universities and public-sector breeding programs to private-sector seed companies and other crop value-chain actors for internship placement of fellows. Illustrative examples of internship placements include data management and analysis for the priority VACS opportunity crops or closely related species; applying cutting-edge transformation or advanced molecular breeding technologies to diverse crop species; gaining experience with market-driven product design or product lifecycle-based breeding management approaches, etc.

The hubs should have the capacity to recruit mentors from diverse organizations/institutions, various disciplines that support capacity development and plant breeding, and from any region of the world to offer expert guidance to individuals or institutions implementing breeding programs for opportunity crops. As illustrative examples, mentoring might take the form of multi-week, on-site coaching of African breeding program leaders; ongoing virtual mentoring relationships with graduate trainees or breeding professionals; or one-time virtual or in-person mentoring events, etc. If a VACS trainee or partner institution identifies an area of need, hubs should be able to assign a mentor to a mentee that matches their area of expertise, to assist them during the period of attachment. Institutional experience with crop improvement of VACS 'Opportunity Crops' is important; however, strong "cropagnostic" expertise in general breeding approaches is also relevant to ensure that modern crop improvement approaches are applied to VACS opportunity crops. The ability to implement gender and social inclusion-aware curricula and capacity support methodologies is also important.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the VACS Capacity program to be a Hub, host institutions must meet the following requirements:

a) Be a recognized university, international research institution/company (private or public), or NGO that has crop improvement (plant breeding) activities. A strong breeding pipeline on VACS or related crops is a plus.
b) The facility must have the necessary facilities, including workstations, computer laboratories, and all other relevant resources, for hands-on training for VACS fellows.
c) Have a proven track record of short-term course development and delivery of plant breeding-related topics and soft skills.
d) Have a proven track record of hosting visiting or guest scientists.

Evaluation Criteria

The project expects to award up to 4 Capacity Hubs, with an illustrative value of approximately $150K per year each (USD) for three (3) years. Based on preliminary Expressions of Interest submitted to this web solicitation, a small number of applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed application and engage in further co-creation.

The selection criteria for awarding VACS Capacity Hubs are to meet program aims, which are to build a critical mass of scientists with a strengthened capacity to future-proof African farming systems through improved genetics and cropping systems and fill existing gaps in the improvement of VACS opportunity crops.

Eligible applications will be assessed by independent assessors based on the following criteria:

Evaluation criteria	Max Points
Availability of the necessary resources (including human) and infrastructure for capacity development and breeding activities.	40
Experience in developing and delivering plant breeding or related modules or topics in the form of short courses and training opportunities to be provided.	20
Experience in developing and delivering soft skills courses.	10
Evidence of a strong plant breeding pipeline utilizing modern breeding technologies	15
Evidence of supporting external plant breeding programs.	10
Evidence of hosting diverse types of scientists	10
Ability to work with various partners to provide or facilitate services such as placement with qualified degree-granting host institutions or internship host organizations, or sourcing and assigning suitably qualified mentors for selected Fellows	10
Strong plan for sustainability to support continued progress of VACS-related activities beyond the life of the project	10
Budget – indicates an effective, cost-efficient use of resources to address project objectives	25
TOTAL	150

When selecting amongst top-ranked applicants, the project aims to select a balanced mix of partner organizations that, cumulatively, maximize the Capacity Hubs’ geographic coverage across Africa, ensure access to state-of-the art crop breeding and capacity development expertise, and foster robust networks amongst global actors working on developing and scaling opportunity crops.

Instructions

Fill in the application form online. Link to the online form will be provided to the qualifying applicants
Field size and format are fixed; any material entered beyond the fixed size will be lost.
Do not alter the template.
Supporting documents may be attached.
Proposals must be submitted on the CIMMYT online portal using the link that will be provided.
Proposals submitted via email will not be considered.
Proposals submitted after the due date will not be considered.
Budget: Please use an Excel template to submit your detailed budget to facilitate review.

Application deadline

Due date: Complete your submission by 17 August 2024, 23:59 Mexican Time
For any queries, contact CIMMYT VACS Capacity Team at CIMMYT-VACS-capacity@cgiar.org

1. Institution Details: Legal Representative*

(who would sign the grant agreement)

Contact Name*

First Name*

Last Name*

Mailing address*

Phone*

Include country code and phone number

Fax:

Include country code and phone number

Email*

1. Institution Details: Technical Contact Person*

Contact Name*

First Name*

Last Name*

Mailing address*

Job title:*

Phone*

Include country code and phone number

Fax:

Include country code and phone number

Email*

1. Institution Details: Administrative Contact Person*

Contact Name*

First Name*

Last Name*

Mailing address*

Job title:*

Phone*

Include country code and phone number

Fax:

Include country code and phone number

Email*

1.2 Briefly describe the Vision and Mission of your institute and how it aligns with the VACS goals

(max 150 words)

1.3 What support (practical and/or financial) is being provided by your institution/organization to leverage (that is, your contribution to this project) the Hub subgrant award (Indicate whom you engaged with within your organization (name and role) and what the institution will provide)

(max 250 words)

2. CORE TEAM*

Indicate who will be the CORE TEAM in the Hub. (Give the name, role, and brief description of qualification/skills (100 words max)). Upload the abridged CV of each team member. (max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included).

Name*

First Name*

Last Name*

Short description of qualification/relevant skills

Role

Abridged CV

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included

Add Additional Team Member

Yes No

Team member #2 Name

First Name

Last Name

Short description of qualification/relevant skills

Role

Abridged CV - 2

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included

Add Additional Team Member

Yes No

Team member #3 Name

First Name

Last Name

Short description of qualification/relevant skills

Role

Abridged CV - 3

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included

Add Additional Team Member

Yes No

Team member #4 Name

First Name

Last Name

Short description of qualification/relevant skills

Role

Abridged CV - 4

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included

Add Additional Team Member

Yes No

Team member #5 Name

First Name

Last Name

Short description of qualification/relevant skills

Role

Abridged CV - 5

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

max 5 pages, links to publications, and other information can be included

3. Capability to Achieve VACS Objectives*

3. Describe why you are the right institution or team to successfully deliver on the VACS goals (Elaborate on the facilities available, breeding pipelines that can be used as models for VACS capacity strengthening, relevant experience in delivering plant breeding training, the balance of skills and expertise, leadership and management skills, and your approach).

(max 2500 words)

4. Describe the training opportunity(ies) your institution/organization is interested in hosting towards the attainment of the VACS goals (include technical focus, short courses, and soft skills you can give, format, and duration).

(max 750 words)

5. Approaches to mentorship and placement opportunities*

5.1 Explain the institution’s experience in mentoring and supporting other scientists or institutions by providing expert advice or guidance to plant breeding activities or setting up breeding programs for opportunity crops.

(max 250 words)

5.2 Share your approach to attracting mentors to work with the Hub and matching them with mentees (scholars or professionals)

(max 250 words)

5.3 Indicate proposed organizations or institutions for internship and/or training placement of professionals and scholars (Name of the institution).

Contact

Role/Contribution

Add Additional organization or institution

Yes No

5.3 Name of the institution - 2

Contact - 2

Role/Contribution - 2

Add Additional organization or institution

Yes No

5.3 Name of the institution - 3

Contact - 3

Role/Contribution - 3

6. Gender Inclusivity*

6. How will you ensure gender inclusivity throughout the implementation of Hub activities (e.g., in mentor recruitment, trainee support, etc.)?

(max 500 words)

7. Sustainability*

7. What would your approach be to ensure the sustainability of support to the Hub activities to achieve the VACS goals beyond the life of this project?

(max 500 words)

8. Additional Information*

8. Provide any further details relevant to your application

(max 500 words)

9. Grant Budget (USD)*

(Give your proposed detailed budget with clear budget line items, separated per year of implementation. This must be justified by providing budget notes for each category to list the assumptions held & be submitted in MS Excel Spreadsheet and then a summary provided as illustrated below. Save as Proposed Hub Budget_Name of your Institution). Upload as supporting documentation.

Download example (XLSX)

9. Grant Budget (USD)*

No File Chosen

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION *

9.1 Has your organization received funding from any US Government Agency?

Yes No

please specify the amount:

9.2 Please provide details of US Government funding received during the last three (3) years.

(max 250 words)

9.3 Has your organization received funding from any other international or local organizations or donors during the last three (3) years?

Yes No

please specify the amount:

9.4 Please provide details of international and local funding received during the last 3 years.

(max 300 words)

9.5 Provide a reference letter or email from at least two funders regarding the funding received and grant performance over the last 3 years.

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9.6 Subcontracting: How many (number) sub-awards/ Grantees/ Contractors have you awarded in the last year?

9.7 List the name and value of Sub awards/ sub-grantees/ contractors you have issued in the past year.

9.8 Please also share a copy of the institutions approved indirect cost policy or NICRA to the budget submission

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

CERTIFICATION *

1. Please certify that you have the technical and financial resources necessary for anticipated performance requirements

Yes No

2. Please provide the date of the latest audited financial statement

https://www.formstack.com/forms/images/2/calendar.png

Month

Day

Year

3. CIMMYT reserves the right to request the latest published audited annual financial statements during or after the project.

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