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June 29, 2023   •   News

Closing date: 28 August 2023

We are pleased to announce Round 6 of the CLIFF-GRADS Fellowship Programme is now open for student applications!

The Climate, Food and Farming, Global Research Alliance Development Scholarships (CLIFF-GRADS) Programme is a joint initiative of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and Mitigate Plus. CLIFF-GRADS builds capability in early-career scientists from developing countries to conduct applied research in agriculture greenhouse gas emissions quantification and mitigation.

We invite PhD students who meet the following criteria to apply:

  • From developing countries;
  • Undertaking their PhD in a University in a developing country; and
  • Who have not previously been awarded a CLIFF-GRADS grant.

Successful applicants to the CLIFF-GRADS programme will go on short term (4-6 month) research stays at a host institution and will:

  • Gain experience in the measurement, modelling and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon storage in agricultural systems relevant to developing countries;
  • Build networks and experience other cultures; and
  • Gain access to equipment and methodologies used by other institutions.

Learn more about the R6 opportunities and how to apply in the call document HERE.

June 26, 2023   •   News

Applications are now open for the “Greenhouse gas assessment and mitigation in agriculture: concepts, methods and simulation tools” course being held in Zaragoza (Spain) from 16-20 October 2023. The closing date for applications is 19 July 2023.


Key reasons to attend this course

This course will provide knowledge on the processes underlying GHG emissions and soil C sinks, measuring methodologies and modelling tools in cropping systems. Methods for national GHG inventories and mitigation options analysis will be presented and practical work will be organized based on real case studies.

At the end of the course participants will have:

  • knowledge of the international reporting processes of GHG emissions and C removal from agriculture;
  • better understanding of the sources and drivers controlling GHG emissions and carbon sequestration in cropping systems;
  • an overview of state-of-the-art methods for measuring GHG emissions and soil C changes;
  • insights on the technical aspects on direct and indirect GHG mitigation strategies;
  • criteria for designing and improving national inventories;
  • improved skills in the use of simulation models and tools for estimating GHG emissions and soil C changes at different scales;
  • a holistic view of available tools to support informed decision making;
  • a comprehensive vision of the challenges and opportunities of C farming.

Admission:

The course is designed for professionals with a university degree, and is specially oriented towards public and private planners and decision-makers, technical advisors, agronomists, environmentalists and R&D professionals involved in the management of the environmental effects of agriculture in a context of climate change.

  • 25 places will be available for face-to-face participation (lectures, practical work and debates).
  • 30 places will be available for online participation (lectures and debates).

Knowledge of English and Spanish will be valued in the selection of candidates, since they will be the working languages of the course. The Organization will provide simultaneous interpretation of the lectures in these two languages.

Scholarships:

Candidates from Mediterranean CIHEAM member countries, GRA member countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, may apply during the registration process for scholarships covering registration fees and for scholarships covering the cost of travel and full board accommodation in Zaragoza.

Candidates from ASEAN countries, may apply during the registration process for scholarships covering registration fees for online participation.

Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to other national or international institutions.


For further information click HERE.

June 14, 2023   •   News

Closing date: 1 August 2023

Location: Aaehus University, Denmark

The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is offering a postdoctoral position on nitrous oxide emissions from arable crop rotations, starting 01-11-2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be available for a 3-year period.

A key activity in the first year will be to compile, analyse and publish nitrous oxide emission data from a multi-site and multi-year monitoring study, with a particular focus on organic vs. synthetic fertilisers, and on cover crops as sink and source of nitrous oxide.

Environmental and microbiological controls will then be investigated in new and targeted studies that may involve field experiments with automated chambers as well as controlled laboratory experiments.

The experimental studies should be planned to support ongoing national and international collaboration on process-based modeling of nitrous oxide emissions. Accounting for the effects of organic hotspots is a particular challenge for models, but important in a Danish context with a high degree of organic N input to arable soil in manure and crop residues.

The postdoc position will be part of a lively international research environment with a broad focus on measurement and modeling of C and N turnover and cropping systems, and on mitigation of environmental impacts.

Learn more about the position and how to apply HERE.

June 12, 2023   •   News

Closing date: 30 June 2023

Location: Teagasc and University College Cork, Ireland

Teagasc PhD Walsh Scholarship Opportunity
“RU-MINIG: RUmen microbiome MINING for bacterial cultures to reduce methane”

Download the file below for details about the project and how to apply:

May 31, 2023   •   News

The CLIFF-GRADS program – a joint initiative of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and Mitigate+: Research for Low Emissions Food Systems (Mitigate+) – strives to narrow the capacity gap on climate change research in the Global South. It offers doctoral students from low- and middle-income countries opportunities to enhance their research skills. A network of 176 researchers from 37 countries has emerged from CLIFF-GRADS; several have taken up roles in international initiatives relevant to climate mitigation in agricultural systems.

Read more here…

May 11, 2023   •   News

This second call is open for submission of proposals until 28 July 2023.


On 10 May 2023, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for research and innovation Martin Heydon, joined the New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor M.P. to launch the second Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Call on agriculture and climate change. The two Ministers made the announcement following a bilateral meeting held during the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate Summit in Washington DC.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries launched the first joint call in 2022, following the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement between both organisations in May 2022. This provided for the establishment a 3-year pilot Joint Research Initiative (JRI) over the period 2022 to 2024 in recognition of the strong existing research connections and the common challenges facing the agri-food sectors in both Ireland and New Zealand. Over €7 million in joint funding was awarded to four research projects in the 2022 Call.

Full press release HERE


2023 Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Call

The 2023 Joint Research Call between Ireland and New Zealand opened on 10 May 2023 at 12:00 (IST) and invites eligible Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) from Ireland to submit joint research proposals, with collaborating partners from New Zealand.

There are four research topics in the Call:

  • Topic 1: Land management on organic agricultural soils to support the development of GHG mitigation and Carbon sequestration
  • Topic 2: Refinement of agricultural GHG emissions inventories through the development of emission factors for Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide
  • Topic 3: Identification and development of technologies for the mitigation of greenhouse gases from ruminant systems
  • Topic 4: Digitalisation and data to support climate-related action and management practices in agriculture

More details can be found here: Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism

Two webinars for applicants will be held jointly by DAFM and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for interested Irish and New Zealand researchers to provide an overview about all relevant aspects of the Call and provide time to answer open questions. These will be held on:

  • 18th May 2023 at 10:00 NZT (webinar hosted by MPI for New Zealand applicants)
  • 25th May 2023 at 10:00 IST (webinar hosted by DAFM for Irish applicants – register here)

The Irish financial support for the 2023 Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Call is being provided through the DAFM Research Programme


Call Timeline

The Joint Research Call follows a one-stage submission procedure with a deadline for the submission of full proposals on 28th July 2023 . Indicative Research Call timelines are outlined below.

10 May 2023 at 12:00 ISTLaunch of the Joint Research Call
18th May 2023 at 10:00 NZTWebinar for potential applicants
25th May 2023 at 10:00 ISTWebinar for potential applicants
28th July 2023Submission Deadline for proposals
October 2023Communication of Funding Decision
November 2023Funding awarded and announcement of successful projects
Jan 2024 to Mar 2024Estimated Starting Date for Funded Projects

May 11, 2023   •   News

Closing date: 19 May 2023

Location: Technical University of Munich, Germany

Click on the titles below, or download the relevant files, to learn more about the positions and how to apply.

Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) modelling livestock systems

This research project will study the productivity of livestock, grasslands and key links to biogeochemical cycles. We conduct both empirical and modelling work in the Gran Chaco of Argentina through collaboration with researchers from the National Research Council (CONICET), and in Kenya and Tanzania in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and other African and European research partners.

PhD position (m/f/d) Nutrient cycling and carbon storage in grazed systems

This doctoral research project will study productivity grasslands and key links to nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and and species diversity. The field work will take place in the dry forest ecosystem of the Gran Chaco of Argentina, in collaboration with researchers from CONICET, the Argentinean national research council.

PhD position (m/f/d) Tropical grasslands restoration

This doctoral position will generate empirical evidence to understand the functioning of grazing systems in Kenya where livestock graze with large mammals. This research project will examine the potential to use grazing duration and intensity and manipulation of plant species to assess the potential for grassland restoration. The experiments will assess the effects of grazing on productivity and stability of grasslands, aiming to detect early restoration success. This work is conducted in close collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and their network of partners.

May 10, 2023   •   News

The April 2023 Animal Health Network (AHN) Newsletter is now available online!

In this edition…

  • What we have been up to recently:
    – Participating at events
    – Building opportunities for the future
    – Writing projects (updates on the “COST ACTION” )
    – Organising workshops
    – Meet the AHN members: the new communication coordinator
  • Keep informed: the AHN library updates
  • Save the date: the AHN calendar

You can read the newsletter HERE or via the link below.

April 4, 2023   •   News

What sustainable crop production means to you?

Closing date: 26 May 2023

ERA-Net SusCrop is currently running a video contest to actively involve EVERYBODY from across the world to reflect, communicate and inspire on ‘what sustainable crop production means to you?

Learn more here: https://www.suscrop.eu/video-contest-2022

March 29, 2023   •   News

IPCC’s call for Scholarship Awards is open until Sunday 2 April 2023 at midnight CET.

IPCC invites PhD students from developing countries to submit full applications for research that advances the understanding of the scientific basis of risks of climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

For more information, click HERE.

March 24, 2023   •   News

Manuscript deadline: 30 September 2023

The need for sustainable food production in a carbon-constrained economy is a pressing global challenge. The production, distribution, and consumption of food contribute to GHG emissions. Carbon Management is hosting a call for academic articles on the topic of “Towards Sustainable Food Production in a Carbon-Constrained Economy”. If you are passionate about this topic and have research to share, submit a manuscript HERE.

March 23, 2023   •   News

The 2023 Joint Croplands and Integrative Research Groups Annual Meeting took place in Seville, Spain and virtually on 17-18 January 2023.

The meeting was attended by participants from 24 countries and four partner organisations. The meeting report and selected presentations are now available for download HERE.