ISPC Task Force

Report

FC14 November 2015

Methodology

• 9 members representing 3 major research funders + representatives of Centers, CenterBoards, IEA, CO and CB plus ISPC Chair and Exec Director

• 3 virtual meetings

• Review of documents on good practice within other funding organizations and of work done by ISPC to date

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Task to consider how to

strengthen ISPC’s role in

• Providing strategic guidance to FC/SC

• Foresight analyses

• Assessing and reporting of research results

• Prioritization

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Principles endorsed

• Independence from decision-making – not independence from the System

• Need to simplify current complexity of the System as a whole

• Broadening of interpretation of ISPC’s role in partnership

• ISPC should not be involved in monitoring but should be expected to follow up on action taken to respond to issues

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Vision

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

ISPC should provide intellectual leadership in giving scientific direction to the CGIAR at the System level in terms of : scientific foresight and prioritization, assessment and delivery of science quality, strategic approaches to partnerships and the development of a rigorous impact culture across the System

Recommendation F&P

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Foresight and prioritization

• ISPC to conduct scientific foresight exercises to inform the development of a prioritization framework

• Timing of major foresight work would relate to revision of the SRF but smaller studies would continue on an annual basis

• ISPC should also lead the development of a System-wide \Foresight and Prioritization network

Recommendation Science Quality • Expand remit to ensure science quality is consistent

across the System

• Requires closer engagement with IEA and SO but also with science committees of Boards and Independent Science Committees of CRPs to bring all relevant knowledge on the issues together

• ISPC, IEA and SO to develop a framework for closer working between these entities which will be reviewed by the external evaluations of ISPC, IEA and SO scheduled to start in 2016

• Continue reviews of cross-disciplinary working

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Recommendation Partnerships

• ISPC should expand its role on partnerships to develop a strategic vision along the whole of the AR4D continuum

• Requires close engagement with GFAR and the SO as well as Centers and CRPs e.g. convening a network on partnerships for impact

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Impact assessment

• ISPC to continue pressing for rigorous assessment of impact CRP and System level, supported by adequate funding

• ISPC should explore the possibility of collaboration with other bodies (e.g. the EC) on assessing the impacts of agricultural research

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Recommendation general

• ISPC should ask for a regular opportunity at FC/SC meetings to raise strategic science and partnership issues for discussion

http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

Resources required in 2016http://ispc.cgiar.org/FC14

2016

resource –

staff

2016 resource -

activities

Additional 2016

staff resource

(50%)

Additional 2016

activities resource

(50%)

Proposed

2016 total

staff

Proposed 2016

total activities

Foresight and

Prioritization175 208 212 80 293 288

Science Quality

and relevance375 180 60 515 240

Partnerships 141 230 44 80 217 310Impact

Assessment490 500 415 500

Communication 29 44 50 70 50

Chair & 6

Council

members

410 30 0 440

Exec Director +

Admin support550 550

Operating costs 356 50 406

Grand total 3644 650 4294

Next steps

• Seeking FC approval to proceed with all or part recommendations

• Budget will be discussed in Agenda item tomorrow

http://ispc.cgiar.org/ISPC 12, Rome