Announcements

Strengthening Capacity for Research on Sustainable Sanitation and Grey-Water Reuse in Developing Countries - Call for Research Papers

This initiative aims at strengthening scientific capacity in the fields of sustainable sanitation and grey-water reuse in developing countries. The overall purpose is to improve the livelihood of poor people and the project will generate new knowledge relevant for a deepened understanding of cross-cutting biological, chemical, technical and socio-economic factors that are necessary for development of technology for sustainable sanitation and grey-water reuse. One major component of the global water crisis is the contamination of drinking water supplies with human feaces. Some 2.4 billion individuals have no sanitation at all or are obliged to use a toilet that is totally unhygienic. The situation is unlikely to change soon if conventional approaches are continually promoted. Considerable research efforts have already been pursued in sustainable sanitation such as ecological sanitation and on grey-water reuse, and implementation is taking place in a variety of countries in all continents. The challenge is how to make ecological sanitation and treated grey-water safe in relation to drinking water and crop production.

Call for Research Proposals

IFS invites research grant applications containing high-quality research proposals. Research grants are awarded up to a maximum value of USD 12,000 for a period of one to three years. The grants, which can be renewed twice, are intended for the purchase of scientific equipment, expandable supply and literature, to arrange field activities, etc. This special initiative is generously funded through a grant from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

Eligibility: citizens of a developing country, carrying out research in a developing country, with a minimum academic degree of an MSc/MA or the equivalent, age limit is 40 (Chinese applicants 30, applicants from Sub-Saharan Africa 45), attached to a university or non-profit making research institution in a developing country.

Topics:

Ecological Sanitation:
* monitoring the reduction of environmental impact
* pathogen destruction
* secondary treatment of excreta and organic waste
* safe agricultural reuse
* identification of pollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals)
* perceptions/attitudes related to excreta reuse in food production
* economic value of nutrients and humus

Other forms of sustainable sanitation:
* development of other sustainable sanitation methods
* monitoring the reduction of environmental impact

Reuse of grey-water for irrigation:
* monitoring improved availability of water for agriculture
* identification of geographical areas where re-use of grey-water is feasible
* development of treatment systems
* identification and reduction of pollutants (e.g detergents, pesticides, pharmaceuticals)
* public acceptance and management of systems

Application deadlines: 30 Jun 2005 and 31 Dec 2005

For More information visit: http://www.ifs.se/Programme/ifs_sida_specialcall.asp