The letters of intent for Sida funded partnerships between universities in Bolivia and Swedish universities in the areas of agronomy, innovation and health have been evaluated and selected partners have been invited to submit full proposals. Instructions are available below under the heading "Submission of full proposal".

This programme named "Research Training Partnership Programme as an integral part of Institutional Research Capacity Strengthening" aims at supporting the strengthening of institutional research training capacity at universities in Sweden's target countries and regions, contributing to increased number of research graduates. This particular call is complementary to the process that occurred in May-December 2012 and specifically targets the areas of agronomy, innovation and health in Bolivia.

This complementary call is directed at a five year collaboration with the following target universities in Bolivia:

• Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
• Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
  

Background

The Swedish investment in research cooperation over the last 37 years has resulted in islands of research capacity that can be targeted for concerted research training with the aim to develop local training in target countries. 

With these developments, Swedish research cooperation has stepped up to organise bilateral/regional research capacity strengthening cooperation in accordance with normal praxis of research, i.e. open competition for collaboration.

There was a similar call in 2012 which resulted in a set of full proposals that are currently being initiated.

Focus of the partnerships

The present call focuses on strengthening research capacity through training in the areas of health, innovation and agronomy.

Depending on the situation at the target country university in question, postgraduate research training may aim directly at:

i) local PhD training

ii) start/continue with masters training programmes for the recruitment of competent candidates

iii) continue sandwich training at Swedish universities coupled with establishment of local courses until the number of researchers allows the initiation of local research training.

Comprehensive partnerships between individual Swedish universities or a consortium of universities which contribute to the development of human resources and the research capacity of universities in Bolivia were encouraged to apply.

Expected outcomes

-          Quality assured research training programmes within prioritised areas of national importance established and run in universities of Sida's target countries

-          Long-term institution-based postgraduate research training partnerships between universities in Sida's target countries and Swedish universities established and maintained and of mutual benefit

-          Joint integrated research training programmes of high international standards built on the principles of mutual recognition of studies and qualifications established

Concept notes

Invited universities in Bolivia (University Mayor de San Andrés [UMSA] and Universidad Mayor de San Simón [UMSS]) have submitted concept notes that describe 10 year plans for implementing their institutional research strategic plans. The concept notes identify areas where needs for Masters and PhD trained people lie, as well as areas that need to be supported to provide the conditions for doing research. These areas in turn address needs and priorities within national strategies on research and higher education. The concept notes presented here are limited to the areas where they universities are currently searching for partnerships. 

Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Collaboration area for this call: Agronomy

Concept note regarding agronomy (download)

University website



Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia

Collaboration area for this call: Health and innovation

Concept note regarding health and innovation (download)

University website

Making contact
Contact details are available here:

UMSS, Bolivia: Guillermo Bazoberry, guillermobazoberry@dicyt.umss.edu.bo

UMSA, Bolivia: Dra Celeste Rodriguez, crodriguez3@umsa.bo  

Submission of full proposals

Sida has invited the selected partners to submit full proposals, please find the instructions here.

Full proposals should be submitted to registrator@uhr.se no later than May 31st, 2013.