Become Part of ASCEND’s Climate Action Team

ASCEND is calling for proposals from diverse teams, including researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, to integrate various data and knowledge to advance insights for climate action. ASCEND offers funding for team meetings, travel expenses, data science support, and a dedicated postdoctoral researcher to support each team’s efforts. We encourage proposals from teams with members from different disciplines, sectors, and geographical locations, without requiring affiliation with the University of Cape Town.

Current Opportunities:

1. Request for Proposals on Biodiversity and Climate Change
   • Application Deadline: 14 March 2025
2. Hiring Postdoctoral Researchers
   • Application Deadline: 19 January 2025 (or until the position is filled)

Key Details About the Program:

Synthesis Research:
Synthesis research involves integrating existing data or knowledge across multiple sources to answer pressing climate and development questions. The goal is to produce actionable insights to support decision-making for climate action and sustainability, transcending academic boundaries by incorporating knowledge from policy and practice.

Actionable Research:
Actionable research is designed to solve real-world problems. It’s solution-oriented and focuses on generating knowledge that can be directly applied in practice, influencing policy and decision-making. It involves expertise from multiple disciplines, and research is done in collaboration with policymakers and practitioners to ensure that the research has a tangible impact.

Synthesis Teams:
Teams will consist of 5–15 participants from various sectors and disciplines, including researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The aim is to integrate diverse perspectives and data sources to uncover knowledge gaps, identify new insights, and ultimately drive meaningful actions for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Funding and Support Provided:

• Team Expenses: Funding covers travel, accommodation, and per diem for up to 3–4 in-person meetings of 5–15 experts over a maximum of 5 days each.
• Postdoctoral Researcher: Each team will receive a full-time postdoctoral researcher, funded by ASCEND, to support research and coordinate activities over a period of up to 3 years. The researcher will also participate in the team’s work and assist with data synthesis and analysis.
• Team Facilitation: ASCEND will provide support in terms of facilitation, ensuring that teams are properly organized and that research outputs are aligned with policy needs.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Team Composition: Each team should consist of up to 15 members from a variety of disciplines and sectors. At least two co-leads must be African or based at Africa-based institutions.
• Equity and Inclusion: Proposals should demonstrate how the research will address the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups, who are often most affected by climate change.
• No Primary Data Collection: This initiative focuses on synthesizing existing data, not on new data collection through fieldwork or laboratory experiments.

What is a Transdisciplinary Team?

A transdisciplinary team integrates knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines, sectors, and stakeholder groups. This model includes a mix of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers who collaborate closely to define the research questions and co-produce knowledge products. The diverse expertise ensures that the research remains relevant, focused on real-world applications, and capable of informing both policy and practice.

Why Focus on Marginalized Groups?

Marginalized and vulnerable groups (e.g., women, children, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, etc.) are often disproportionately impacted by climate change and have limited opportunities to influence climate action decisions. ASCEND emphasizes the integration of equity and social inclusion into climate action research to ensure that the voices of these groups are heard and addressed.

How to Apply:

• Proposals: Synthesis team proposals can be submitted through ASCEND’s portal, with detailed descriptions of the research objectives, team members, and the approach to synthesizing data.
• No Budget Needed: A detailed budget is not required for the proposal, though the funding ASCEND provides covers key team-related expenses.
• Postdoctoral Researcher: A full-time postdoctoral researcher will be assigned to the team. ASCEND will work with team leads to hire an early-career African scholar for the role.

Additional Information:

• Eligibility: Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from any nationality are encouraged to apply. However, there must be two co-leads from Africa or Africa-based institutions.
• Synthesis Approach: Proposals should focus on integrating various data types (e.g., satellite data, climate model data, case studies, government datasets) and using methods like machine learning, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses to generate new insights.
• Outcome: The goal is to deliver research outputs that can guide policy decisions and on-the-ground practices aimed at addressing climate change and its impact on communities.

Funding Timeline and Support:

• Duration of Funding: Teams will be funded for up to 24 months, including the full-time postdoctoral researcher. This period covers team meetings, research activities, and data synthesis.
• Postdoctoral Researcher Role: ASCEND will support the recruitment of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who will be fully integrated into the team and will work alongside team members to carry out research and analysis.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe: To stay updated on new opportunities, subscribe to ASCEND’s mailing list.
• FAQs: Visit the ASCEND website to view detailed answers to frequently asked questions.

Join us in transforming climate research into real-world solutions that drive positive change!

Visit the official website for more information about the program!