These Global Development Network (GDN) awards recognise unpublished research papers and research ideas on natural resource management (NRM). In addition, the GDN Most Innovative Development Project competition is an opportunity for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to promote their field work (in any subject) that has been of benefit to the local community. The awards are jointly funded by GDN and the Government of Japan. Those chosen are honoured with cash prizes plus travel expenses to present proposals at the Annual Global Development Conference.


The Five Themes

The five themes selected for this year’s competition are:

1. The Governance and Political Economy of Natural Resource Management.
2. Exploitation of Natural Resources: Trends and Environmental Implications.
3. The Economics of Natural Resource Management.
4. Foreign Direct Investment and Natural Resources.
5. Societies and Natural Resource Management.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Awards are open only to citizens and permanent residents of developing or transition countries.
• The principal investigator of the proposal must currently reside in a developing or transition country. If there is more than one researcher, at least 50% of the researchers (including the principal investigator) must currently reside in a developing or transition country.
• The upper age limit for applicants is 45 years.
• Staff members of multilateral organisations are not eligible to apply for the Awards.
• Past Award winners and finalists are not eligible to apply with the same or similar research proposal.
• Past Award winners are not eligible to apply in the 3 years subsequent to their successful proposal.
• The proposal must not be receiving or scheduled to receive funds from another source unless it is clearly explained how the Award would provide additional funds necessary for completion of the project.

Click here to view guidelines and eligibility criteria.

The deadline for application is August 20 2008, for the development project; September 5 for research.

Click here for more information.

Click here to apply online.

Click here to access information on previous winners.