The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck launched the Jigme Khesar Environmental Research Fund (JKERF), an initiative of Her Majesty as the Royal Patron of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), earlier this week on August 5 here in the capital.
Her Majesty, in a statement said “the Kingdom of Bhutan has inherited pristine ecosystems and natural resources. We must, as individuals, personally strive to preserve this endowment through our own sustainable actions. It is our responsibility to ensure that this rich biodiversity abounds for generations to come. I join the RSPN in its efforts of environmental conservation, which remains a pressing concern for our time, and encourage every citizen to embrace the path to a greener future.”
JKERF is being launched with two simultaneous activities: Establishment of the fund, which will be established in a progressive manner. The initial target for the fund is one million US Dollars and call for research proposals for 2013, which the individuals in institution with Bhutan are encouraged to apply. A total of five research grants are available for the year 2013.
Each research grant shall not exceed Nu 0.1mn and application for the grant shall be in the form of a research proposal in the required format which comprises of a summary that should be about 200 words, an abstract of the research including statement of the problem or research gap, theoretical framework of the study, objective, methodology and study area.
Background to the research should describe the context of the research in terms of what has already been done and identify the gap that the study proposes to address. This may be in the form of hypothesis or research question emanating from a good literature review and state the importance of the research.
Proposed research should describe the research activity in a rational and logical manner. It should state the purpose of the research or objectives of the study and describe the various components of the study including methodology or tools to be engaged for data collection and analysis and state the duration of the study including a work plan for the entire study.
When it comes to Budget, it should provide a breakdown of the funds proposed with justification. The grant fund does not support remuneration of the principle researcher.
The JKERF will encourage and support local environmental research in the country.
