Frequently Asked Questions (Collaborator)
1. General Questions
Q1: What does SIRCA I and II stand for?
SIRCA I stands for Strengthening ICTD Research Capacity in Asia and SIRCA II stands for Strengthening Information-Society Research Capacity Alliance.
Q2: What is the different between SIRCA I and SIRCA II?
SIRCA I is a product of the joint collaboration between the grant agency, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, and the grant administrator, Singapore internet Research Centre (SiRC). The program was launched in August 2008 and SIRCA provided small-grants for research capacity-building for emerging ICTD researchers in Asia.
Learning from the experience of building capacity in the ICTD field in Asia, SiRC will scale the program to include researchers from Africa, Latin America as well as Asia. The expansion that includes the global South is to address the very lack of Southern scholars in this field of study. Emphasis will be placed on social science research with respect to ICTD and information societies. Projects focusing on creating or developing ICT applications (software or hardware) or other types of action research will fall outside the scope of this program unless a user focus as development.
Q3: What are the objectives of SIRCA II?
The objectives of the program are to:
- Build scientific and critical research skills and capacity among emerging researchers in Africa, Latin America and Asia;
- Create opportunities for collaboration between established international researchers and grant recipients;
- Provide spaces at a regional and international level for grant recipients to share experiences and knowledge in face-to-face settings; and
- Provide training on multidisciplinary research, methods, ethics, research to policy, etc.
- Establish networking connections between African, Latin American and Asian researchers; and
- Disseminate research findings locally and internationally in order to strengthen the body of methodologically sound, multi-disciplinary and theoretically-based research.
Q4: What are the expected outcomes of SIRCA II?
It is hoped that grantees will receive the necessary grooming and training in conducting research such that they:
- receive awards and invitations to academic conferences
- publish in academic journals
- progress to PhD courses (if no PhD), and
- achieve any other documented social impact with their work
The program also hopes to create opportunities for collaboration and mentorship between established international researchers (Collaborators) and grant recipients (PIs) in terms of joint papers, publications and presentations, as well as establish network connections between African, Latin American and Asian researchers.
Q5: What are SIRCA II research focus?
Interdisciplinary research
SIRCA II supports and focused on social science research that is of interdisciplinary nature, with respect to ICTD and information societies. It is hoped that the research grants provided will enable young and emerging scholars to engage in and develop new research methods, tools, and guidebooks that will be useful to understanding and studying these subjects further.
Gender
In order to ensure that women’s issues are represented on the research front, selected grantees will be encouraged to encompass this into their research projects. The inclusion of this aspect in the research proposal will be an important criterion for assessment of a grantees’ eligibility into the program.
2. Collaborators
Q6: What does being a SIRCA II Collaborator entail?
A Collaborator will supervise up to 2 projects conducted by emerging researchers in Asia/Latin America/Africa in the area of their research. As a Collaborator, you will correspond with these groups and provide guidance in areas such as research directions, methodology and publications. The Collaborator will also be requested to go on at least one site visit for each project that he/she is involved in.
Q7: Can I take on the role of Collaborator and Reviewer simultaneously?
Yes, you can. However, details regarding this are specified in the Terms of Reference for Reviewers to ensure a fair and open evaluation, and selection of grant awardees.
Q8: Can I take on dual roles of being a Collaborator and Principal Investigator?
No, you cannot.
Q9: Is a Collaborator compensated for his/her work?
Yes, each Collaborator will be compensated with an honorarium for two years. Travel expenses incurred during the site visits will be covered as well. Collaborators will find the information stated in the Collaborators Agreement with SiRC.
Q10: Will the Collaborator be paid at the beginning of each year?
The honorarium is paid in three tranches. The first 35% will be paid at the beginning of the program. 50% of the honorarium will be paid in the mid-phase of the project. The final payment of 15% will be paid when the project is completed and PI’s project final report is submitted to SiRC.
Q11: When should the Collaborator conduct the site visit?
The Collaborator should arrange for a site visit in the first 3-6 months of research progress. However, we recognise that each Collaborator-PI relationship is unique and dynamic. Hence, the schedule of the site visit should be based on open discussion between the Collaborator and PI. A second site visit will have to be arranged in the mid-phase of the project.
Q12: What should a Collaborator do during the first site visit?
The Collaborators should help the PIs to scope their projects further and develop project plans that include do-able project timelines. The Collaborators should also discuss with the PIs about possible publication in the next one year.
Q13: Can a Collaborator terminate the contract mid-way?
Yes, a Collaborator may do so by writing to the SiRC program officer. The notice must come at least one month before the end of the Collaborator arrangement unless unforeseen issues arise. A termination letter will be issued to the Collaborator after the case is reviewed by the management. At some point, the Collaborator will be asked to refund a portion of honorarium paid for not rendering the complete service. Details will be stated in the Collaborators Agreement.
Q14: Is there some kind of template that I can use to help my PI to develop a proper project plan with timeline?
You may find a sample template here.
Q15: How frequently do I need to contact my PI?
You are encouraged to keep in touch regularly with your PIs throughout the duration of the project.
Q16: How can SiRC/Regional Secretariat from the program be able to support me?
The Secretariat is tasked to ensure that all stakeholders understand and play their roles in a professional manner. The Secretariat will facilitate the site visits if required and will communicate with you from time to time to understand and facilitate your work as a Collaborator. As and when required, you may email the Secretariat for any information.
For further inquires or clarifications, please contact sirca2@ntu.edu.sg