INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING GRANTS (CPIS)

BACKGROUND

Biofortification is the process of breeding staple food crops rich in
micronutrients. This strategy seeks to take advantage of the regular daily
consumption of consistently large amounts of food staples by all family
members, including women and children who are most at risk of micronutrient
malnutrition. Because staple foods predominate in the diets of the poor,
this strategy implicitly targets low-income households. The ultimate goal of
biofortification is to reduce mortality and morbidity rates associated with
micronutrient malnutrition and to increase both the food security and
quality of life of poor populations in developing countries by providing, at
low cost, improved levels of bioavailable micronutrients in a sustainable
manner.

Harvest Plus seeks to reduce the effects of micronutrient malnutrition by
harnessing the power of plant breeding to develop staple food crops that are
rich in micronutrients. This is being accomplished by a global alliance of
research institutions and implementing agencies in developed and developing
countries. Among the latter, national agricultural and nutrition-related
institutions are key partners.

Under HarvestPlus micronutrient dense staple crops are being developed using
the best traditional breeding practices and modern biotechnology to achieve
provitamin A, iron, and zinc concentrations that can have measurable
benefits on human health and nutritional status. Selection of the varieties
to 'work' with begins with the identification of those that are naturally
'rich' in any of the above three micronutrients.

RATIONALLE

To select the promising varieties of carotenoid-containing crops and set the
target micronutrient levels in cassava, maize, and sweet potato, the amount
and form of provitamin A carotenoids remaining in the food after processing,
storage, and cooking must be known. To accomplish this in an effective way,
it is important to build both national and regional capacity to not only
conduct carotenoid assays in these crops but also the foods made from them.
This will be done through a competitive grant system managed by the
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

Strengthen institutions in Africa to appropriately analyze
carotenoid-containing crops and prepared food for provitamin A carotenoids
[?-carotene, ?-carotene (cis and trans isomers), ?-cryptoxanthin] and, where
relevant, non provitamin A carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin).

ACTIVITY TO BE SUPPORTED WITH THIS CPIS

Upgrade laboratories in African institutes working in food
science/technology, nutrition, or agriculture.

Applicant institutes will have experience of using spectrophotometers and/or
an HPLC system.

Grants will provide supplementary equipment to an existing laboratory, such
as a spectrophotometer, HPLC columns, or HPLC detectors.

Grants will not cover laboratory supplies such as glassware or reagents; a
new HPLC system; maintenance contracts; office supplies; honorarium for
professionals; or scholarship for students.

FUNDING

Between 7-9 grants of up to US$ 15,000 (fifteen thousand dollars) will be
issued, based on the demonstrated needs of each laboratory. The equipment
will be purchased by HarvestPlus and shipped to institutions.

AWARD CRITERIA

Any legal research institute or university in Africa may apply.

The institute must demonstrate experience of and a commitment to working on
provitamin A carotenoids.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For mail submissions, please submit an original and four copies. The
following items must be included:

1. Completed proposal application using headings in Annex 1 (not to
exceed 5 single spaced letter pages using font 12).

2. Background of institute / laboratory applying for the grant.

3. A list of all current and pending funding related to provitamin A
research at the institute. Include title, funding source, and investigators
for each project.

4. Letter of approval from laboratory and institution directors.

All documents must be written in English.

All pages must be numbered and contain the applicant name.

Fax submission is acceptable.

For an electronic submission, the above information must be presented in one
file.

PROPOSED SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Applications must be received by Dra. Nutti or Dr. Viana de Carvalho no
later than

May 15, 2005. Transmission via E-mail is acceptable if all required
signatures are scanned.

Contact Details:

Dra. Marília Regini Nutti or Dr. José Luiz Viana de Carvalho

EMBRAPA Food Technology

Address: Av. das Américas, 29501

Guaratiba

Rio de Janeiro-RJ

Brazil

CEP: 23020-470

e-mail: labgrants@ctaa.embrapa.br

Telephone: +55 21 2410 9555

Fax: +55 21 2410 1090

PEER REVIEW PROCESS

A review committee will be convened in accordance with standard peer review
procedures to evaluate applicants.

A site visit to the short-listed laboratories may be conducted to review
facilities, human resources, and the grant application as part of the awards
process.

All applications will be acknowledged.

Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously.

Short listed laboratories will be announced within 2 months after the
closing date.

Decisions will be announced within 5 months after the closing date.

Grants will come into effect by September 2005

Annex 1

HARVESTPLUS GRANT APPLICATION FORM

1. FULL TITLE OF INSTITUTE

1.1 Contact details for applicant (name, address, tel., e-mail,
fax).

1.2 Contact details for institution's director.

2. NEED FOR LABORATORY UPGRADE

2.1 Problem statement.

2.2 Describe current activities related to provitamin A
carotenoids.

2.3 Existing laboratory capacity:

2.3.1 Human.

2.3.2 Capital.

2.3.3 Total annual budget.

2.4 How the institutional strengthening will be used to reach
the goals of HarvestPlus.

3. THE PROPOSED PLAN

3.1 Cover letter from the institution that includes:

3.1.1 Statement indicating how the applicant institute/laboratory
meets the selection criteria, with brief description of relevant work
conducted.

3.1.2 Rationale for why the soliciting laboratory should be
considered.

3.1.3 Description of the laboratory facilities and main analyses
conducted.

3.1.4 Description of the laboratory's experience in conducting food
analysis, and the foods/crops the laboratory is likely to work on.

3.1.5 Linkage with HarvestPlus alliance members.

3.1.6 Commitment that the laboratory will actively conduct carotenoid
analysis.

3.1.7 Commitment that the applicant institute will accept a visit by
EMBRAPA scientists to review the existing facilities, human resources, and
grant application.

3.2 Short summary of research conducted at the institute that lists
significant achievements, publications on food analysis and/or carotenoids,
and major awards and honors received by any staff members. This summary
should present evidence that the applying institute will benefit and improve
its capacity to conduct carotenoid analyses after receiving the grant.

3.3 Specify the type and components (include age) of existing HPLC
systems or spectrophotometers.

3.4 Describe the equipment being requested including brand
name, catalogue number, and estimated price in US$. Justification for the
brand proposed is required.

3.5 Statement on whether the institution is eligible for import
and other tax exemptions. If not, all taxes should be listed and an estimate
provided. The total budget shall not exceed US$15,000.