1. Accelerating development through science innovation and partnership

2. Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Rachel Parker, PhD Senior Research Advisor U.S. Global Development Lab

3. The U.S. Global Development Lab USAID is spearheading a bold, new approach to discover, test, and scale solutions to help people lift themselves out of poverty. The U.S. Global Development Lab (The Lab) will accelerate the application of science, technology, innovation, and partnerships to solve some of the most complex development problems more cost-efficiently and effectively.

4. The Approach Collaborate with host-country counterparts, entrepreneurs, world-class experts from corporations, NGOs, universities, and science and research institutions to solve development challenges more cost-efficiently and effectively The Lab will:  Source, discover, and scale new technologies and innovations;  Build partnerships to co-design new solutions and take them from pilots to global impact;  Inspire, strengthen, and link the brightest young minds in America with those in our partner countries; and  Improve USAID’s development impact by supporting scientific and innovative approaches to strategic decision making, procurement, and program design

5. PEER  Launched in July 2011, PEER is a joint program between USAID and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) administered by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)  PEER provides research funding to developing country scientists conducting development-oriented research in collaboration with U.S. Government- funded researchers  Collaborations can be new or existing, but the U.S. Government-funded partner does need to have funding at the time the PEER proposal is submitted PEER VIDEO

7. PEER Partners

8. Benefits of PEER United States  Increases global scope and fosters international collaborations  Bolsters research effectiveness  Accesses local knowledge  Accesses resources  Facilities  Unique ecosystems  Geological formations  Hydrological regimes Developing Country  Funds research towards scientific innovation  Links into international research community  Develops science diplomacy  Realizes development objectives  Informs policy and practices  Provides data for evidence-based programs  Incorporates new technologies

9. PEER Awards to Date PEER Science Cycle 1 –488 proposals from 63 countries –41 grants, $5.5 million to support projects in 25 countries Cycle 2 –237 proposals from 54 countries –54 awards, $7.5 million to support projects in 32 countries Cycle 3 –258 proposals from 50 countries –39 awards, $6.1 million to support projects in 23 countries PEER Health Cycle 1 –186 proposals from 26 countries –16 grants, $6.4 million to support projects in 10 countries Cycle 2 –30 proposals from 2 countries –Tentative: 5 grants, $2 million to support projects in Indonesia and the Philippines

10. PEER Applicant Eligibility Summary National of a developing country and working in a PEER-eligible country Meets country specific eligibility criteria for focus area to which applying Affiliated with and permanently based at an academic, non-profit, government-managed research institution or relevant government ministry in a PEER-eligible country U.S. Government-Supported Partner Eligibility Summary PI or Co-PI of an active research award from U.S.-Government agency participating in the PEER program; U.S. Government-funded partner awards must be active for twelve months prior to completion of the PEER award PI or Co-PI meets agency specific eligibility criteria U.S. Government-funded partner’s expertise aligns with and contributes to the PEER proposal. U.S.-Government funded partners not eligible to receive PEER funding Features of RFP: General Eligibility

11. Tips for a successful proposal Is your research question well articulated? Are the objectives clear? Is your project feasible? Have you conducted a literature review of previous work? Is your expertise appropriate to carry out the work? What about your US partner? Is the timeline appropriate? Are there clear development impacts? Do they fit USAID priorities in your country? Does the project have broader impacts? Is there a training component? How many students? How many female participants? Are local communities engaged? Is there an outreach/dissemination component?

12. PEER Review Process 1.Pre-proposals are reviewed by USAID Missions and Operating Units for assessment of specific country relevance on development topic proposed 2.Eligible PEER proposals reviewed by panel of technical experts with development experience or knowledge 3.U.S. Government Agency verifies the good standing of the linked award or researcher if applicable for those PEER proposals being considered for funding 4.With above information and consideration of PEER portfolio, final PEER award decisions will be made by USAID, with grants disbursed by NAS

13. Example PEER Awardees PI: Severino Salmo III, Ateneo de Manila University Enhancement of Philippines’ research capability in understanding the role of mangrove ecosystem health in the adaptation and mitigation against natural disasters Biodiversity and conservation in the Lower Mekong: empowering female herpetoligists through capacity building and regional networking PI: Anchalee Aowphol, Kasetsart University, with co-Pis Niane Sivongxay, Wildlife Conservation Society and National University of Laos; and Huy Duc Hoang, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City Analysis of historical forest carbon changes in Burma and Thailand and the contribution of climate variability and extreme weather events Biodiversity conservation in Indochina: Integrating research and training to enhance wildlife trade management PI: Minh Le, Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, with co-PIs Seak Sophat, Royal University of Phnom Penh, and Bounthob Praxaysombath, National University of Laos PI: Amnat Chidthaisong, The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, with co-PI Khin Lay Swe, Yezin Agriculture University

14. To learn more http://www.nationalacademies.org/peer For more information: peer@nas.edu; usaidpeer@usaid.govpeer@nas.edu usaidpeer@usaid.gov

15. Visit us at: www.usaid.gov/GlobalDevLab Facebook: www.facebook.com/GlobalDevLab Twitter: www.twitter.com/GlobalDevLab Public inquiries: thelab@usaid.gov Newsletter: Text TheLab to 42828 to receive the Lab Insider To Learn More: