Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Click on the question to get the answer!
... about IFS Grants; what they cover; eligibility . . .
Which scientific areas are covered by IFS Research Grants?
What qualifications do I need to have before applying for an IFS Research Grant?
What nationalities may apply for IFS Grants?
I need funding for my BSc/MSc-studies. Can IFS provide me with a scholarship?
I am over 40 years of age; may I still apply for an IFS Research Grant?
I am a scientist from Azerbajan doing research in India; may I apply for an IFS Grant?
Will the IFS Research Grant pay my salary while I'm doing the research project?
... about applying; the application form . . .
Where can I get the Application Form?
May I send in the Application Form by e-mail or fax?
How should I fill in the equipment budget in the Application Form?
How should I fill in the expendable supplies budget?
How shall I fill in the literature budget?
I sent in my grant application weeks ago. When can I expect an answer?
... about transfer of money; purchasing services . . .
Can the grant funds be transferred to my private account?
Can IFS assist me in purchasing equipment, chemicals, supplies?
Does IFS charge any administrative fee for the purchasing service?
How can IFS facilitate the customs clearing?
Has IFS negotiated discounts with big laboratory equipment suppliers?
... about IFS Grants; what they cover; eligibility . . .
Which scientific areas are covered by IFS Research Grants?
In order to fall within the scientific scope of the IFS Mission Statement, the project must be related to the sustainable utilisation of the biological and/or water resource base.
The IFS Mission Statement should be interpreted widely, to include topics in both natural and applied sciences such as agriculture, soil science, forestry, biodiversity, environmental chemistry, natural products, food science, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, aquaculture, marine resources... as well as social or economic aspects of the sustainable management of natural resources, or the production and transfer of knowledge for sustainable development.
On the other hand, IFS cannot accept applications of the most basic scientific nature (e.g. theoretical physics), or even fundamental biological studies, unless they have an identifiable and direct relevance to the sustainable utilisation of biological and/or water resources.
Any doubts as to whether the proposed research topic fits into the IFS Programme may be resolved by examining the list of research projects previously supported by IFS.
Mission
Statement
Search for IFS Grantees and their projects
What qualifications do I need to have before applying for an IFS Research Grant?
Applicants should have a minimum academic degree of an MSc (Master of Science),
or the equivalent research experience.
In the French system, you should have a "diplôme de troisième
cycle".
What nationalities may apply for IFS Grants?
You must be a citizen of a developing country. Please consult the list
of countries whose citizens are eligible by following the link below.
Not supported are countries of the former Soviet Union, Turkey and Cyprus.
Note that you must also do your research project in your own country or another
developing country.
I need funding for my BSc/MSc-studies. Can IFS provide me with a scholarship?
No, IFS does not award scholarships. The IFS Reserach Grant is intended
for a specific research project, and one of the criteria for eligibility
is to have a Master's or the equivalent research experience.
I am planning to follow a PhD-programme in Europe/USA/Australia/Japan. Could I get a fellowship from IFS?
No, IFS does not award fellowships to cover living expenses etc. during studies abroad (with the exception of Special Programmes that are open upon call for proposals - check section "IFS Programme", pages "Special Grants")
However, if there is a research element in your PhD-programme, and you will
be carrying out this research in a developing country, you may apply for
an IFS Research Grant to cover the research project.
I am over 40 years of age; may I still apply for an IFS Grant?
No, unless you are from a Sub-Saharan African country.
Our rule is that we support young scientists (below 40 years of age and below
30 for Chinese applicants) in their early careers. However, if you are a
citizen of a Sub-Saharan country, you can still apply even if you are more
than 40 years old, provided that you took your highest academic degree (minimum
MSc or equivalent) less than five years ago and are in the beginning of your
research career.
If you are not eligible for IFS support yourself, please encourage some of
your more junior colleagues who meet our criteria to apply for a grant.
I am a scientist from Azerbaijan doing research in India; may I apply for an IFS Grant?
No, IFS does not support scientists from the former Soviet Union countries.
You must be a citizen of a developing country, doing research in a developing
country.
Eligibility
Criteria
Eligible
countries list
I am a scientist from Kenya now doing my PhD in England; may I apply for an IFS Grant to do research in Botswana when I've finished my PhD?
Yes. You may even apply now if you know all the details required on the application form.
Will the IFS Research Grant pay my salary while I'm doing the research project?
No. The IFS Research Grant covers only equipment and expendibles. You are expected to have your livelyhood from other sources (typically being employed by the institution where you do the research).
Only those who have an IFS Grant (for doing a research project) are eligible for travel grants. To apply, contact IFS.
Anyone who has received one IFS Grant, may apply for a Renewal Grant. A
Grant may be renewed twice. You may apply for a Renewal Grant on an electronic
Application Form which can be downloaded on this page:
... about applying; the Application Form . . .
Read detailed information on how to apply by following this link:
Where can I get the Application Form?
You can download it here from the web.
Alternatively you can write an email to IFS and ask for a paper form to
be sent to you. Use this email address: applications@ifs.se
You can also send a request for an Application Form using the webform on
the "How to Apply" -page.
Download
Application Forms
Request an Application Form
May I send in the Application Form by e-mail or fax?
You may send in the electronic Application Form by e-mail. Faxed Application
Forms, however, are not accepted as they are often difficult to read.
To submit your proposal electronically (via e-mail), download the form in
Word format, fill in the form on your computer using the programme Microsoft
Word (you do not have to be connected to the Internet while you do that),
and send the finished form as an attachment in an email to IFS to applications@ifs.se
Renewal Grant applications should not be sent to applications@ifs.se but directly to your contact person at IFS.
How should I fill in the equipment budget
of the application form?
List each item of equipment which you request. Equipment is considered those
items which have an individual cost of USD 500 or more and a life duration of
more than 3 years. Specify and describe each item and give to the best of your
knowledge: manufacturer, model/type, accessories and spare parts if needed. Give
a realistic estimation of the cost for each item. Include freight charges, insurance,
and taxes for items to be imported. Consult, if possible, a senior technician
for advice on the most appropriate equipment for your project.
How should I fill in the expendable supplies budget?
List categories of expendable supplies (glassware, solvents, feed, reagents,
etc.) and give a cost estimate for each category. Specify only expendable supplies
which are either very expensive or requested in large quantities/volumes. Include
freight charges, insurance, and taxes for items to be imported.
How shall I fill in the literature budget?
List categories of literature (books, reprints, and photocopies) or documentation,
and give a cost estimate for each category. Recommended are books. Subscriptions
to journals will not be approved since subscriptions will expire as soon as IFS
support ends. However, abstract reviews or membership for a scientific society
publishing a journal may be considered. Literature searches may be included.
I sent in my Application Form weeks ago. When can I expect an answer?
The evaluation process works in two six-monthly cycles per year.
It follows that there are two administrative deadlines: June 30th and December
31st.
Applications that arrive at the Secretariat before June 30th are evaluated during the second half of the year, with granting decisions in January the following year. Applications that arrive from July to December are processed in the first half of the following year, with granting decisions in June. Applicants are notified during the month following the decisions (July-August, February).
Due to the large volume of project proposals we receive, we cannot normally answer enquiries about the status of one particular proposal during the evaluation process.
However, you should always receive an acknowledgement of receipt, confirming the safe arrival of your Application Form.
If you have not heard from us at all before the pending deadline (June 30th or December 31st), you may want to make sure that your Application form has reached the IFS Secretariat.
Make your enquiry on whether we have received your project proposal or not to applications@ifs.se. To be able to trace your proposal among the hundreds of Application Forms we receive every month, we need the following information:
- your full name (as you have indicated it in the Application Form)
- whether you used the paper or the electronic version
- the e-mail address you sent your electronic form from
- the date when you sent it to IFS
- the title of your project
Read more details on the "How to Apply" -page:
... about transfer of money; purchasing services . . .
Can the grant funds be transferred to my private account?
No, the funds will be transferred to the account of your institution.
Can IFS assist me in purchasing equipment,
chemicals, supplies?
Yes, if you leave part of or the whole grant in a special account at IFS we will
assist you in buying equipment, chemicals and supplies.
Does IFS charge any administrative fee
for the purchasing service?
No.
How can IFS facilitate the customs clearing?
We will issue a Letter of Donation in which we state that the items purchased
are a donation from our organisation. This letter could help you to avoid customs
duties.
Has IFS negotiated discounts with big laboratory equipment
suppliers?
Yes, we have discounts with many big companies and our grantees will benefit
from them when buying the items through us.
I'm not sure if I want the whole grant transferred to my institution or if I should leave part of it at IFS. What do you suggest?
We suggest that you leave the grant funds in a special account at IFS. After agreement we can then transfer part of or the whole grant to the account of your institution.
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