ICT Research Grants: PhilICT, SIRCA

Research grants are being made available  to  help build ICT research capacities in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.  Many thanks to Dr. Erwin Alampay of the Philippine ICT Research Network and UP NCPAG, for emailing these announcements:

1. The Philippine ICT Research Network Research Grant

The Philippine ICT Research Network, in cooperation with the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) is calling for research proposals that will 'advance theoretically and empirically grounded research and provide sound insights on the roles and impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on Philippine society and culture.' 

Funding for these grants was made possible through the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. Grant guidelines are available at the UP NCPAG office, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Deadline for the submission of proposals is on October 7, 2008. 

The research areas prioritized under the program are: 

a) Civil society, politics and social movements
b) National and local governance
c) Entrepreneurship
d) Work 
e) Migration and family
f) Rural communities
g) Education, information and knowledge
h) Personal and group identities

2. Strengthening ICT4D Research Capacity in Asia (SIRCA) Programme

The Strengthening ICT4D Research Capacity in Asia (SIRCA) Programme, based in Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, has just been launched with a call for proposals. This programme seeks to identify emerging researchers relatively new to ICT4D research in developing countries and to facilitate their advancement through the support of research grants. For more details please go to the SIRCA website.

The programme includes a mentorship arrangement, and promotes 'broad-based high-quality multidisciplinary research in ICT development, e-services, new media use and social impact, and policy for the benefit and advancement of individuals, organizations, nation and society.' There are three categories of funding: 20,000 SGD, 26,500 SGD and 33,000 SGD. Research guidelines may be downloaded here.