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Call for abstracts on rural roads research in Africa

19 June 2012

  • Programme: African Community Access Programme (AFCAP)
  • Funding: UK Department for International Development (DFID)
  • Core Management Group: Crown Agents
  • Call for Abstracts:
    Crown Agents plans to commission a number of research papers on the subject of rural roads and rural transport in sub-Saharan Africa. The papers will form part of the knowledge dissemination component of the Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP). It is expected that approved papers will be published in recognised international journals. Therefore, we are now inviting abstracts or synopses from individuals, non-governmental organisations, firms, universities and similar organisations with experience in this area. Proposers must use the format attached. Only one form should be used for each abstract. However, an organisation may submit more than one abstract for consideration. These abstracts will be evaluated and those successful will be asked to submit a journal paper.
  • Criteria for selection
    The criteria for selection and prioritisation of concepts for research papers will be:
    a. Relevance to AFCAP's overall goal of providing reliable access for poor communities in Africa;
    b. Contribution to existing knowledge and research in the areas of Rural Road Provision and Rural Transport Services in sub-Saharan Africa;
    c. Previously unpublished or unreported knowledge;
    d. Demonstration of technical innovation.
  • Background:
    [In addition to the information below, all potential proposers are encouraged to visit the AFCAP websites at https://www.afcap.org and www.crownagents.com/afcap/about-afcap.aspx

    The Africa Community Access Programme (AFCAP) is designed to address the challenges of providing reliable access for poor communities in Africa. Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) AFCAP provides advice and supports applied research to address rural access constraints, communicates the research outcomes to stakeholders, and supports the mainstreaming of the research results into practice.

    The goal of AFCAP is sustained economic and social development, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods of the rural poor through more effective, efficient and equitable access to socio-economic opportunities. The purpose of AFCAP is to create sustainable access for rural communities to external opportunities and services including health, education, employment, markets and social and political networks. Therefore, to achieve the programme goal and purpose, AFCAP has a vision of delivering an integrated, wide-ranging portfolio of research, dissemination and training activities. The implementation phase of AFCAP commenced in June 2008 and the programme is scheduled to run for five years. The management of AFCAP has been contracted by DFID to the Crown Agents. AFCAP is currently active in Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan and is developing relationships with a number of other countries and regional organisations across Africa.
  • Location (of journal paper subject): Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Indicative Budget: Should your abstract be accepted, an honorarium of GBP 5,000.00 will be available to cover time spent writing the journal or paper. The sum will be paid in two milestones:
    - 30% upon receipt of paper and acceptance by the appropriate technical manager;
    - 70% upon unconditional acceptance (i.e. after final approval of any required revisions) by a relevant publication.
  • Deadline for receipt of Abstracts: Friday 15th July 2012, 5pm (GMT)
  • Application procedures: Fill in the attached application form (see below).
  • Selection process:
    After the submission deadline an initial screening and prioritisation of the received abstracts will be carried out. Applicants successfully passing this stage will be requested to submit their journal papers to AFCAP Core Management Group for consideration, prior to submission to any publications. Successful applicants will be notified by email by Tuesday 31st July 2012. The deadline for receipt of any completed journal paper by the Core Management Group will be Friday 28th September 2012.
  • Additional information:
    Where to submit the Abstract: All abstracts must be submitted by email to: Katie Macleod katie.macleod@crownagents.co.uk. Please put 'Submission of Abstract for AFCAP' in the subject line of the email.
    Length of Abstract: the Abstract should not exceed 250 words.
    Language: All Abstracts must be in English.
    Further queries/questions/clarifications: Email Katie Macleod - katie.macleod@crownagents.co.uk.
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