2025 Call for Proposals under APN’s CRRP and CAPaBLE Programmes

Digital technologies can significantly enhance both the application process and the prospective project implementation for this APN grant: **For Application Success:** 1. **Collaborative Document Platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, SharePoint):** Essential for remote teams, especially in regional research. These platforms facilitate real-time co-editing of proposals, version control, and secure sharing of supporting documents (e.g., CVs, institutional profiles) among team members across different time zones. 2. **Project Management Tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com):** To manage the two-stage application process, including task assignment, deadline tracking (Stage 1 Summary, Stage 2 Full Proposal, document collection), and communication logs among collaborative partners. 3. **Video Conferencing Software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex):** Critical for effective coordination meetings between regional partners, fostering strong collaboration that is often a key criterion for such regional grants. 4. **Reference Management Software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote):** To efficiently manage and cite research literature, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the proposal, which strengthens academic rigor. 5. **AI-Powered Writing Assistants & Grammar Checkers (e.g., Grammarly Premium, QuillBot, ChatGPT/Bard for drafting assistance):** To refine proposal language, improve clarity, correct grammar, and ensure the proposal is compelling and professional, especially for non-native English speakers or complex scientific writing. 6. **Secure File Transfer and Cloud Storage (e.g., Dropbox Business, OneDrive for Business):** For safely sharing large files and sensitive institutional data required for the application, ensuring compliance and data security. 7. **Digital Workflow Automation (e.g., Zapier for notifications):** Setting up automated reminders for team members about upcoming tasks or deadlines related to the APNIS submission. **For Project Implementation & Meeting Grant Goals (post-award, but strengthens proposal feasibility):** 1. **Online Learning Management Systems (LMS) (e.g., Moodle, Canvas, Coursera for Business):** Especially relevant for the CAPaBLE programme, to deliver scientific capacity development modules, workshops, and training materials to a dispersed regional audience effectively. 2. **Field Data Collection Apps (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK Collect, SurveyCTO):** For CRRP projects involving primary data collection in diverse regional settings, these mobile-first solutions enable efficient, accurate, and often offline data gathering. 3. **Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS):** Crucial for projects with a spatial component, allowing for advanced analysis, mapping, and visualization of regional environmental data, enhancing impact communication. 4. **Research Data Management Platforms (e.g., Zenodo, figshare, institutional repositories):** To ensure research data generated by CRRP projects are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR principles), maximizing the long-term impact and transparency of the research, a key aspect of scientific collaboration. 5. **Communication & Dissemination Platforms (e.g., dedicated project websites, social media management tools, digital storytelling platforms):** To effectively disseminate project findings, engage stakeholders, and report on impact to APN and the wider community, using multimedia content like infographics, videos, and interactive maps. 6. **Real-time Monitoring & Evaluation Dashboards (e.g., custom dashboards built with Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio):** To track project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and outcomes in real-time, facilitating adaptive management and transparent reporting to the funder.