News & UpdatesGCP’s mission is using genetic diversity and advanced plant science to improve crops by adding value to breeding for drought-prone and harsh environments. This is achieved through a network of more than 200 partners drawn from CGIAR Centres, academia, regional and national research programmes, and capacity enhancement to assist developing-world researchers to access technologies and to tap into a broader and richer pool of plant genetic diversity.http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-20092019-06-25T07:11:37-05:00Joomla! - Open Source Content ManagementPlant Breeding for Drought Tolerance programme2009-12-24T00:00:00-06:002009-12-24T00:00:00-06:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/363-plant-breeding-for-drought-tolerance-programmeAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/plant%20breeding%20for%20drought%20tolerance%201.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To respond to the need for more plant scientists trained in developing drought-tolerant cultivars, Colorado State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Oklahoma State University will offer a short course in Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance from 14–25 June 2010. The course will be held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and at experimental field sites in Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Target audience</strong></p>
<p>Graduate students in the plant sciences, as well as professionals in the public and private sectors. The course will provide three transferable graduate-level credits.</p>
<p><strong>Content</strong></p>
<p>The course will consist of classroom lectures, hands-on lab exercises, and field research activities appropriate for a drought breeding and genetics programme. Course activities are designed around three modules:</p>
<ul>
<li>Whole Plant Physiology of Drought Stress</li>
<li>Plant Breeding for Drought Stress Tolerance</li>
<li>Genomic Approaches to Drought Stress Tolerance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Prerequisites</strong></p>
<p>Participants should have a solid understanding of basic plant physiology and genetics. Prior to the short course, students will review online material on these topics to provide a common background in breeding and physiology concepts.</p>
<p><strong>Symposium</strong></p>
<p>The course will culminate in a two-day Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance symposium, also open to the public, to be held at Colorado State University.</p>
<p>Deadline for application: <span style="color: #ff0000;">1st February 2010</span></p>
<p>For more details on course content, fees, funding opportunities and for information on how to apply for the programme, please consult the <a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=290&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance Brochure</a>.</p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/plant%20breeding%20for%20drought%20tolerance%201.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To respond to the need for more plant scientists trained in developing drought-tolerant cultivars, Colorado State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Oklahoma State University will offer a short course in Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance from 14–25 June 2010. The course will be held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and at experimental field sites in Eastern Colorado and Western Nebraska.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Target audience</strong></p>
<p>Graduate students in the plant sciences, as well as professionals in the public and private sectors. The course will provide three transferable graduate-level credits.</p>
<p><strong>Content</strong></p>
<p>The course will consist of classroom lectures, hands-on lab exercises, and field research activities appropriate for a drought breeding and genetics programme. Course activities are designed around three modules:</p>
<ul>
<li>Whole Plant Physiology of Drought Stress</li>
<li>Plant Breeding for Drought Stress Tolerance</li>
<li>Genomic Approaches to Drought Stress Tolerance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Prerequisites</strong></p>
<p>Participants should have a solid understanding of basic plant physiology and genetics. Prior to the short course, students will review online material on these topics to provide a common background in breeding and physiology concepts.</p>
<p><strong>Symposium</strong></p>
<p>The course will culminate in a two-day Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance symposium, also open to the public, to be held at Colorado State University.</p>
<p>Deadline for application: <span style="color: #ff0000;">1st February 2010</span></p>
<p>For more details on course content, fees, funding opportunities and for information on how to apply for the programme, please consult the <a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=290&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance Brochure</a>.</p></div>GCP socio-economic studies now online2009-12-09T00:00:00-06:002009-12-09T00:00:00-06:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/416-gcp-socio-economic-studies-now-onlineAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/2010/Socio-economic%20studies.jpg" alt="Socio-economic" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results from a series of GCP-commissioned socio-economic studies are now available <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies">online</a> . The studies were designed to complement ongoing GCP crop improvement research through the evaluation of social and economic characteristics of developing world farmers Materials available in the newly-created Socio-economics website include data, final conclusions, supplementary materials and – where available – a brief, summarising the recommendations of each study, based on study objectives and outcomes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The following four studies are now available:</p>
<p>1) Targeting and impact analysis of Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) technologies<br />Through the compilation of multiple datasets, this study determined areas in the developing world experiencing the highest levels of poverty, poorest crop yields, and greatest susceptibility to drought. From the study, 15 regions were identified as high-priority focal areas for future GCP research (see Study 2b below, Getting the focus right: Food crops and smallholder constraints below).</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/targeting-and-impact-analysis-of-gcp-technologies">Website</a></li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=330&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>2) Getting the focus right:</p>
<p>a) Beyond drought-tolerant maize: study of additional priorities in maize<br />A pilot study was commissioned to determine production constraints specific to maize. <a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1774&Itemid=115">More</a></p>
<p>b) Food crops and smallholder constraints<br />Building on both Study 1 and Study 2a above, this study determined the main production constraints across 14 of the 15 high-priority regions identified by Study 1. A list of potential solutions was also formulated.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/targeting-and-impact-analysis-of-gcp-technologies">Website</a><span style="color: #ff0000;"><br /></span></li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=331&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>3) Ex-ante impact analysis of marker-assisted selection technologies supported by the Generation Challenge Programme <br />In order to better understand the economics of marker-assisted breeding (MAB), researchers of this study gathered information on crop yields, farmer adoption rates, market prices, cultivated land area, breeding times, input prices, costs of development, and more. These extensive data are a firm foundation for computing the net present value (NPV, ie, future benefits less future costs) of using MAB rather than phenotypic selection.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/ex-ante-impact-analysis">Website</a> </li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=332&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>4) From attractiveness to feasibility: A strategic assessment of the capacity to develop and adopt GCP technologies (in progress)<br />To complement the aforementioned socio-economic studies which have identified priority farming systems for GCP investments, this study takes a different perspective, examining the extent to which a given region can adapt and adopt such technological advances, to ensure that GCP efforts achieve maximum results. In this way, the study seeks to identify capacity issues and determine whether GCP technologies are both attractive and feasible for end-users. Commissioned in 2008, this study is still in progress. <span style="color: #ff0000;"></span></p>
<p>To learn about other resources and tools from GCP's Subprogramme 5, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/research/research-themes/capacity-building">Capacity-building</a> corner.</p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/2010/Socio-economic%20studies.jpg" alt="Socio-economic" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results from a series of GCP-commissioned socio-economic studies are now available <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies">online</a> . The studies were designed to complement ongoing GCP crop improvement research through the evaluation of social and economic characteristics of developing world farmers Materials available in the newly-created Socio-economics website include data, final conclusions, supplementary materials and – where available – a brief, summarising the recommendations of each study, based on study objectives and outcomes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The following four studies are now available:</p>
<p>1) Targeting and impact analysis of Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) technologies<br />Through the compilation of multiple datasets, this study determined areas in the developing world experiencing the highest levels of poverty, poorest crop yields, and greatest susceptibility to drought. From the study, 15 regions were identified as high-priority focal areas for future GCP research (see Study 2b below, Getting the focus right: Food crops and smallholder constraints below).</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/targeting-and-impact-analysis-of-gcp-technologies">Website</a></li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=330&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>2) Getting the focus right:</p>
<p>a) Beyond drought-tolerant maize: study of additional priorities in maize<br />A pilot study was commissioned to determine production constraints specific to maize. <a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1774&Itemid=115">More</a></p>
<p>b) Food crops and smallholder constraints<br />Building on both Study 1 and Study 2a above, this study determined the main production constraints across 14 of the 15 high-priority regions identified by Study 1. A list of potential solutions was also formulated.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/targeting-and-impact-analysis-of-gcp-technologies">Website</a><span style="color: #ff0000;"><br /></span></li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=331&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>3) Ex-ante impact analysis of marker-assisted selection technologies supported by the Generation Challenge Programme <br />In order to better understand the economics of marker-assisted breeding (MAB), researchers of this study gathered information on crop yields, farmer adoption rates, market prices, cultivated land area, breeding times, input prices, costs of development, and more. These extensive data are a firm foundation for computing the net present value (NPV, ie, future benefits less future costs) of using MAB rather than phenotypic selection.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.generationcp.org/gcp-impact/gcp-socioeconomic-studies/ex-ante-impact-analysis">Website</a> </li>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=332&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Brief</a></li>
</ul>
<p>4) From attractiveness to feasibility: A strategic assessment of the capacity to develop and adopt GCP technologies (in progress)<br />To complement the aforementioned socio-economic studies which have identified priority farming systems for GCP investments, this study takes a different perspective, examining the extent to which a given region can adapt and adopt such technological advances, to ensure that GCP efforts achieve maximum results. In this way, the study seeks to identify capacity issues and determine whether GCP technologies are both attractive and feasible for end-users. Commissioned in 2008, this study is still in progress. <span style="color: #ff0000;"></span></p>
<p>To learn about other resources and tools from GCP's Subprogramme 5, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/research/research-themes/capacity-building">Capacity-building</a> corner.</p></div>Research Fellowships opportunity: linking agricultural research to innovation2009-11-13T00:00:00-06:002009-11-13T00:00:00-06:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/364-research-fellowships-opportunity-linking-agricultural-research-to-innovationAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; border: 1px solid #000000; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/RIU_ResearchFellowsInformation.jpg" alt="RIU" height="120" width="87" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 'LINK' programme of UNU–Merit (a joint research and training centre of United Nations University and Maastricht University, The Netherlands) is seeking six research fellows to work on a major study of agricultural innovation processes and policies in Asia and Africa. The programme is open to regional candidates with a research track record allied to innovation studies who are interested in writing cases studies, undertaking reviews and publishing in peer review journals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Research experience in agricultural and rural innovation policies and processes</li>
<li>A recent relevant PhD is desirable, but candidates with a strong relevant publication record would also be considered</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">Positions could be full- or part-time.</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=291&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Further details on the position and on how to apply</a></p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; border: 1px solid #000000; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/RIU_ResearchFellowsInformation.jpg" alt="RIU" height="120" width="87" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 'LINK' programme of UNU–Merit (a joint research and training centre of United Nations University and Maastricht University, The Netherlands) is seeking six research fellows to work on a major study of agricultural innovation processes and policies in Asia and Africa. The programme is open to regional candidates with a research track record allied to innovation studies who are interested in writing cases studies, undertaking reviews and publishing in peer review journals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Eligibility criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>Research experience in agricultural and rural innovation policies and processes</li>
<li>A recent relevant PhD is desirable, but candidates with a strong relevant publication record would also be considered</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">Positions could be full- or part-time.</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=291&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Further details on the position and on how to apply</a></p></div>2009 ARM materials now online2009-10-23T00:00:00-05:002009-10-23T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/414-2009-arm-materials-now-onlineAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/2010/meeting.jpg" alt="ARM 2009" height="120" width="102" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>From 20–23 September 2009, GCP researchers and partners gathered in the Malian capital of Bamako for GCP’s 2009 Annual Research Meeting. The event, whose 150-plus participants included both new and familiar faces from the GCP research community, followed a tightly-packed schedule: there were plenary and break-out sessions for formal presentations in which GCP collaborators demonstrated their latest project results; smaller, brainstorming/panel discussion groups for the exchange of views and research ideas; lively poster sessions; and a field trip, allowing for very positive interactions with farmers and research station staff.</p>
<p>Outcomes from the meeting, including presentations, poster PDFs, rapporteur reports and photographs are now available <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/arm-home" target="_blank">online</a>.</p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/2010/meeting.jpg" alt="ARM 2009" height="120" width="102" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>From 20–23 September 2009, GCP researchers and partners gathered in the Malian capital of Bamako for GCP’s 2009 Annual Research Meeting. The event, whose 150-plus participants included both new and familiar faces from the GCP research community, followed a tightly-packed schedule: there were plenary and break-out sessions for formal presentations in which GCP collaborators demonstrated their latest project results; smaller, brainstorming/panel discussion groups for the exchange of views and research ideas; lively poster sessions; and a field trip, allowing for very positive interactions with farmers and research station staff.</p>
<p>Outcomes from the meeting, including presentations, poster PDFs, rapporteur reports and photographs are now available <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/arm-home" target="_blank">online</a>.</p></div>TLI collaborators develop genetic map for cowpea2009-10-22T00:00:00-05:002009-10-22T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/410-tli-collaborators-develop-genetic-map-for-cowpeaAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/crop-photos/legumes%20strip.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Researchers of GCP’s <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/research/research-initiatives/legumes">Tropical Legumes Improvement project</a> have developed a high-density consensus genetic map of cowpea, accelerating conventional breeding and facilitating the production of new varieties of not only cowpea but also other legumes such as soybean and common bean. Results of this study can be found in an online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are also highlighted in a University of California–Riverside press release.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To view both the published paper and the <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/media/press-releases">press release</a>, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/programme-publications">Tropical Legumes Improvement publications page</a>.</p>
<p>To view more publications resulting from other GCP projects, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/programme-publications">Research publications page</a>.</p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/crop-photos/legumes%20strip.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Researchers of GCP’s <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/research/research-initiatives/legumes">Tropical Legumes Improvement project</a> have developed a high-density consensus genetic map of cowpea, accelerating conventional breeding and facilitating the production of new varieties of not only cowpea but also other legumes such as soybean and common bean. Results of this study can be found in an online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are also highlighted in a University of California–Riverside press release.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To view both the published paper and the <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/media/press-releases">press release</a>, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/programme-publications">Tropical Legumes Improvement publications page</a>.</p>
<p>To view more publications resulting from other GCP projects, please visit our <a href="http://www.generationcp.org/communications/programme-publications">Research publications page</a>.</p></div>GCP governance reform: Amended Consortium Agreement2009-10-22T00:00:00-05:002009-10-22T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/411-gcp-governance-reform-amended-consortium-agreementAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/communications/communications-web.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the stepwise approach adopted for reforming GCP governance, an amended version of the GCP Consortium Agreement has now been signed by the mandatory three-quarters of the parties to the Agreement. The coming into force of the Amended Consortium Agreement (ACA) dissolves the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and now formally establishes the GCP Executive Board as the peak governance body. In addition, effective September 2009, a new body – the GCP Consortium Committee (CC) – whose members comprise representatives of parties to the ACA, will replace the PSC. However, unlike the PSC which had a governance role, the CC will assume a primarily advisory scientific role in interacting with the GCP Management Team.</p>
<p>The implementation of these reforms marks a fundamental change in GCP’s governance, to increase and further streamline the efficiency of GCP research activities, and to improve support to GCP science. These changes also comply with the recommendations of external reviews.</p>
<p>Relevant links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=329&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Amended Consortium agreement</a></li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GCP’s revised organogram</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">(broken link)</span></li>
</ul></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/communications/communications-web.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the stepwise approach adopted for reforming GCP governance, an amended version of the GCP Consortium Agreement has now been signed by the mandatory three-quarters of the parties to the Agreement. The coming into force of the Amended Consortium Agreement (ACA) dissolves the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) and now formally establishes the GCP Executive Board as the peak governance body. In addition, effective September 2009, a new body – the GCP Consortium Committee (CC) – whose members comprise representatives of parties to the ACA, will replace the PSC. However, unlike the PSC which had a governance role, the CC will assume a primarily advisory scientific role in interacting with the GCP Management Team.</p>
<p>The implementation of these reforms marks a fundamental change in GCP’s governance, to increase and further streamline the efficiency of GCP research activities, and to improve support to GCP science. These changes also comply with the recommendations of external reviews.</p>
<p>Relevant links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=329&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> Amended Consortium agreement</a></li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GCP’s revised organogram</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">(broken link)</span></li>
</ul></div>WACCI–GCP scholarship winners2009-10-22T00:00:00-05:002009-10-22T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/412-waccigcp-scholarship-winnersAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="border-image: none; margin: 7px 0px 7px 7px; float: right;" src="images/news-and-updates/prize.jpg" alt="winners" height="100" width="100" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Following on from searches carried out by both GCP and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI)<span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;"></span></span>, GCP is delighted to announce the winners of the PhD scholarship tenable at WACCI, University of Ghana. Each of the selected winners will be linked to one of GCP’s Challenge Initiatives (respective Challenge Initiatives – or ‘CIs’ – are indicated in brackets below). The students to be funded by GCP are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Teyiou Benoît Joseph Batieno of Institut de l’environnement et de recherches agricoles (INERA), Burkina Faso (cowpea CI)</li>
<li>Joseph Adjebeng-Danquah of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR–SARI), Ghana (cassava CI)</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">The winners will commence their five-year plant breeding programme in January 2010, and are expected to cover two years of academic study at the University of Ghana, followed by three years of field research at their respective research institutes or universities in their home countries.</p>
<p>The GCP/WACCI search also identified the following students, to be funded by WACCI:</p>
<ul>
<li>Uzoma Chizoba Okechukwu of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria (though currently carrying contracted at the Africa Rice Center in Cotonou, Benin) – cassava CI</li>
<li>Alice Jelimo Kosgei of Embu Agricultural Staff Training (EAST) College, Kenya (chickpea CI)</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">Please join us in congratulating the four winners, and in wishing them the very best in their forthcoming PhD studies.</p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="border-image: none; margin: 7px 0px 7px 7px; float: right;" src="images/news-and-updates/prize.jpg" alt="winners" height="100" width="100" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Following on from searches carried out by both GCP and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI)<span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;"></span></span>, GCP is delighted to announce the winners of the PhD scholarship tenable at WACCI, University of Ghana. Each of the selected winners will be linked to one of GCP’s Challenge Initiatives (respective Challenge Initiatives – or ‘CIs’ – are indicated in brackets below). The students to be funded by GCP are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Teyiou Benoît Joseph Batieno of Institut de l’environnement et de recherches agricoles (INERA), Burkina Faso (cowpea CI)</li>
<li>Joseph Adjebeng-Danquah of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR–SARI), Ghana (cassava CI)</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">The winners will commence their five-year plant breeding programme in January 2010, and are expected to cover two years of academic study at the University of Ghana, followed by three years of field research at their respective research institutes or universities in their home countries.</p>
<p>The GCP/WACCI search also identified the following students, to be funded by WACCI:</p>
<ul>
<li>Uzoma Chizoba Okechukwu of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria (though currently carrying contracted at the Africa Rice Center in Cotonou, Benin) – cassava CI</li>
<li>Alice Jelimo Kosgei of Embu Agricultural Staff Training (EAST) College, Kenya (chickpea CI)</li>
</ul>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">Please join us in congratulating the four winners, and in wishing them the very best in their forthcoming PhD studies.</p></div>GCP's GSS launches 3rd call for proposals2009-10-22T00:00:00-05:002009-10-22T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/413-gcps-gss-launches-3rd-call-for-proposalsAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/gcp%20announcement.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Deadline for application</p>
<p>For the GCP’s GSS call, proposal submission is between 1st November 2009 and <span style="color: #ff0000;">15th December 2009</span>.</p>
<p>The CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), in coordination and collaboration with the Global Crop Diversity Trust (the Trust), is pleased to announce its 3rd call for proposals for the Genotyping Support Service (GSS).</p>
<p>The GSS aims to help spread the benefits of marker technology in the developing world through the following objectives:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>Technology access: facilitating developing world researchers’ access to molecular marker technologies for germplasm analysis;</li>
<li>Capacity-building: training researchers in data analysis and knowledge application;</li>
<li>Sustainability and spread: to build a core of researchers who can continue to use the technology, independent of GCP support.</li>
</ol>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">GCP launches this GSS call in alignment with the Trust’s call which focuses on supporting the evaluation of crop genetic resources. Together, these two complementary and coordinated calls widen the scope for applicants, by offering a well-rounded comprehensive programme.</p>
<p>Eligible organisations: include country agricultural research programmes, academia, civil society organisations and private companies. The organisation must:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>have a functional breeding programme;</li>
<li>be located in a developing country (see Table 1 within the call);</li>
<li>be working on the crops listed in Table 2 of the call;</li>
<li>applicant organisations should be willing to incorporate the use of molecular maker technologies with a long-term perspective, ie, demonstrate readiness to take the necessary steps towards self-sufficiency in outsourcing genotyping work in the medium term.</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Apply to the GSS call</span></p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/gcp%20announcement.jpg" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Deadline for application</p>
<p>For the GCP’s GSS call, proposal submission is between 1st November 2009 and <span style="color: #ff0000;">15th December 2009</span>.</p>
<p>The CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme (GCP), in coordination and collaboration with the Global Crop Diversity Trust (the Trust), is pleased to announce its 3rd call for proposals for the Genotyping Support Service (GSS).</p>
<p>The GSS aims to help spread the benefits of marker technology in the developing world through the following objectives:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>Technology access: facilitating developing world researchers’ access to molecular marker technologies for germplasm analysis;</li>
<li>Capacity-building: training researchers in data analysis and knowledge application;</li>
<li>Sustainability and spread: to build a core of researchers who can continue to use the technology, independent of GCP support.</li>
</ol>
<p class="_mce_tagged_br">GCP launches this GSS call in alignment with the Trust’s call which focuses on supporting the evaluation of crop genetic resources. Together, these two complementary and coordinated calls widen the scope for applicants, by offering a well-rounded comprehensive programme.</p>
<p>Eligible organisations: include country agricultural research programmes, academia, civil society organisations and private companies. The organisation must:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>have a functional breeding programme;</li>
<li>be located in a developing country (see Table 1 within the call);</li>
<li>be working on the crops listed in Table 2 of the call;</li>
<li>applicant organisations should be willing to incorporate the use of molecular maker technologies with a long-term perspective, ie, demonstrate readiness to take the necessary steps towards self-sufficiency in outsourcing genotyping work in the medium term.</li>
</ol>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Apply to the GSS call</span></p></div>Applications of bioinformatics in plant breeding course, April 20102009-10-15T00:00:00-05:002009-10-15T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/365-applications-of-bioinformatics-in-plant-breeding-course-april-2010Administratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/Bioinformatics_IAMZ.jpg" alt="Bioinformatics" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p>From 12–16 April 2010, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ) of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) will hold an advanced course on Applications of bioinformatics in plant breeding in Zaragoza, Spain.</p>
<p>The aim of the course is to introduce the bioinformatics tools needed to help breeders and plant scientists realise the full potential of new molecular breeding approaches. The course will not only focus on the use of public data, but also show how groups with limited resources can use next-generation sequencing technologies to address issues directly relevant to the plant breeding community.</p>
<p>Through a combination of lectures, structured tutorials, demonstrations and case histories, course participants will be introduced to the major aspects of bioinformatics relevant to the application of genomics in plant breeding. A particular feature of the course will be to offer participants realistic options for integrating these new approaches into their own working practices.</p>
<p>Target: Plant breeders with some background in molecular genetics and geneticists, molecular biologists and computer scientists interested in plant breeding.</p>
<p><strong>Deadline for application:</strong> <span style="color: #ff0000;">25th January 2010</span></p>
<p><strong>Registration fee (tuition only):</strong> €450</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=292&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> More details on the course and on how to apply</a></p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/Bioinformatics_IAMZ.jpg" alt="Bioinformatics" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p>From 12–16 April 2010, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ) of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) will hold an advanced course on Applications of bioinformatics in plant breeding in Zaragoza, Spain.</p>
<p>The aim of the course is to introduce the bioinformatics tools needed to help breeders and plant scientists realise the full potential of new molecular breeding approaches. The course will not only focus on the use of public data, but also show how groups with limited resources can use next-generation sequencing technologies to address issues directly relevant to the plant breeding community.</p>
<p>Through a combination of lectures, structured tutorials, demonstrations and case histories, course participants will be introduced to the major aspects of bioinformatics relevant to the application of genomics in plant breeding. A particular feature of the course will be to offer participants realistic options for integrating these new approaches into their own working practices.</p>
<p>Target: Plant breeders with some background in molecular genetics and geneticists, molecular biologists and computer scientists interested in plant breeding.</p>
<p><strong>Deadline for application:</strong> <span style="color: #ff0000;">25th January 2010</span></p>
<p><strong>Registration fee (tuition only):</strong> €450</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=292&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> More details on the course and on how to apply</a></p></div>2008 ARM survey results now available2009-10-13T00:00:00-05:002009-10-13T00:00:00-05:00http://generationcp.org/news-a-updates/73-2009/409-2008-arm-survey-results-now-availableAdministratorbrandon@decise.ca<div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/result.jpg" alt="Result" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results from the 2008 Annual Research Meeting (ARM) survey, which was administered online (via Survey Monkey) over a roughly 2.5 week period between September and October 2008, are now available online.</p>
<p>In a marked difference to the 2007 ARM survey, which was divided into sections covering both ARM and also general GCP issues, this survey focused entirely on the Annual Research Meeting held from 16–20 September, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the exception of one open, non-ARM-related question, which addressed the crucial subject of future investments, as follows:</p>
<p>“One of the purposes of the ARM is to map and/or validate future directions in terms of GCP’s investments in research. From what you gathered at the ARM, please state one clear area that you consider GCP should invest in as a top priority.”</p>
<p>Clustering the open-ended responses, we can report that nearly half of the respondents (44%) indicated breeding tools as the top priority for future investments.</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=328&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> View the full survey results</a></p></div><div class="feed-description"><p><img style="margin: 7px 7px 7px 0px; float: left;" src="images/news-and-updates/result.jpg" alt="Result" height="120" width="120" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results from the 2008 Annual Research Meeting (ARM) survey, which was administered online (via Survey Monkey) over a roughly 2.5 week period between September and October 2008, are now available online.</p>
<p>In a marked difference to the 2007 ARM survey, which was divided into sections covering both ARM and also general GCP issues, this survey focused entirely on the Annual Research Meeting held from 16–20 September, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the exception of one open, non-ARM-related question, which addressed the crucial subject of future investments, as follows:</p>
<p>“One of the purposes of the ARM is to map and/or validate future directions in terms of GCP’s investments in research. From what you gathered at the ARM, please state one clear area that you consider GCP should invest in as a top priority.”</p>
<p>Clustering the open-ended responses, we can report that nearly half of the respondents (44%) indicated breeding tools as the top priority for future investments.</p>
<p><a class="doclink" href="index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=328&Itemid=24"><img src="/components/com_docman/themes/default/images/icons/16x16/pdf.png" alt="icon" border="0" /> View the full survey results</a></p></div>