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?
Can I apply for a collaborative research grant?
Can I apply for support from the Contributing Innovation Approach?
Who is eligible to apply for individual IFS grant support (New Programme)?
What is GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$)?
How is the new country eligibility different from the old?
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?
Can an experienced/senior scientist apply if he/she is below the age limit?
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 this website...
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 by following the link below.
» 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".
See the side-box at the top of this page for Eligibility criteria
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.
See the side-box at the top of this page for Eligibility criteria
Can I apply for a collaborative research grant?
This approach is currently being piloted by IFS with a selected network of scientists in sub-Saharan Africa. Calls for applications for collaborative research will be advertised on the home page of the IFS website.
Can I apply for support from the Contributing Innovation Approach?
This approach is planned for launch later in the 10-year programme. Its launch will be advertised on the home page of the IFS website.
Who is eligible to apply for individual IFS grant support (New Programme)?
Applications for an individual IFS grant (in the New Programme) will be selected on merit, but are only eligible for consideration if they come from developing country scientists who are attached to institutions in the world’s Least Developed Countries, which are adjudged to provide them with a reasonable academic environment that will enable them to conduct research. Least Developed Countries are countries with a GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$) at or below the average for Middle Income Countries (MIC).
What is GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$)?
GNI per capita (formerly GNP per capita) is the gross national income, converted to U.S. dollars using the World Bank Atlas method, divided by the midyear population. GNI is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad. GNI, calculated in national currency, is usually converted to U.S. dollars at official exchange rates for comparisons across economies, although an alternative rate is used when the official exchange rate is judged to diverge by an exceptionally large margin from the rate actually applied in international transactions. To smooth fluctuations in prices and exchange rates, a special Atlas method of conversion is used by the World Bank. This applies a conversion factor that averages the exchange rate for a given year and the two preceding years, adjusted for differences in rates of inflation between the country, and through 2000, the G-5 countries (France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States). From 2001, these countries include the Euro area, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Source: World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.
» the World Bank Atlas method
How is the new country eligibility different from the old?
Previously ‘Least Developed Countries’ status has been defined at IFS by the indicator of Gross National Income (GNI/capita), but eligibility for IFS support has been restricted to the Low Income Countries, the Lower Middle Income Countries and the countries with a GNI/capita that is below the average of the Upper Middle Income Countries. The new eligibility is the countries with a GNI/capita that is below the average of the Middle Income Countries (MIC). Please check the World Bank website for the exact levels of these thresholds and to identify which countries are eligible.
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.
See the side-box at the top of this page for Eligibility criteria
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 African country, you may apply for a grant provided that:
- you are below 45 years old
- you received your highest academic degree (minimum MSc or equivalent) less than five years ago
- and you 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.
Can an experienced/senior scientist apply if they are within the eligible age limit?
No, IFS grants are intended to support young scientists at the beginning of their research career. "Experienced/Senior scientists" are those who have published widely in refereed journals and who have attained a degree of seniority as defined by their position at a research institute or university.
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.
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 livelihood 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.
about applying; the Application Form . . .
Read detailed information on how to apply here:
Where can I get the Application Form?
At the present time (February 2012) IFS Application forms are not available. During 2012, IFS will introduce a new Programme and the Application forms for that Programme will be available in good time for the next Call for Applications.
Please watch the 'Call for Applications' section on the 1st page of this web or subscribe to the RSS feed to get an automatic message when this is updated.
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?
You should receive an acknowledgement within 2 weeks of receipt of the Application by IFS.
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.
about this website...
RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) is a technology that generates messages from a website or blogsite to you (the subscriber) announcing changes on that site.
By subscribing to an RSS-feed you will get messages regularly, i.e. whenever there are changes on the website. You read the messages in an RSS reader and hence, if you subscribe to RSS on many websites, you can know about and read the changes on all those websites easily and efficiently at one place on your computer (the RSS reader), instead of you having to go to all those websites regularly looking for the changes and updates.
Most Internet Browsers and some email programmes can work as RSS readers, or you can install a special reader programme.
Note: These messages are not emails, they work differently, and you read them in an RSS reader. Even if your email programme (eg MS Outlook) can work as an RSS reader, the messages do not arrive as emails.
The website you’re interested in must first offer an RSS feed – and the IFS website does that. Look for the blue symbol 
on the 1st page.
The easiest way to subscribe is to simply click on that RSS symbol and follow the suggestions given by the Browser you are using. If you use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer or Firefox, they will suggest themselves as the RSS reader. If you continue and subscribe you will then find the RSS feeds in your Browser: in Explorer it will be on a tab called ‘Feeds’ beside the tabs ‘Favorites’ and ‘History’ in the Favorites center; in Firefox the feed will end up as a Bookmark on your Bookmarks Toolbar.
Check back to these feeds regularly to read updated information from IFS.
(Alternatively, check the IFS website regularly.)
There is much more information about RSS on the Internet; some suggestions:
Youtube video about RSS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU
Wikipedia article about RSS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS
An Internet search for RSS readers will generate more than enough information about all the other possibilities.
Note that you can also use many popular web browsers and some email programmes as RSS readers. Do a search for [the name of your programme] + [RSS reader] and you will find instructions.
ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW IFS PROGRAMME 2012
Eligibility will be differentiated for the three different Approaches.
The eligibility criteria will be somewhat different from the previous IFS criteria.
They will be posted here as soon as they are finalised.
