Support for research & development of the sugar sector of the ACP group of States

The global objective of the ACP sugarcane research programme and of this call for proposal is to enhance the capacity for sugar industries in ACP countries to make the transition to a deregulated sugar market - that offers fewer preferences - and take advantage of its opportunities. The research programme will contribute:
- To ACP economies' capacities to continue benefiting from a performing sugar industry, by enhancing its competitiveness;
- To promote agricultural research as a tool for development.
The ACP sugarcane research programme will provide solutions to the sugar industry in ACP countries, by responding to a selected number of clearly identified technological challenges that hamper the sugarcane sector's performance.

The specific objective of this Call for Proposals is to complement the ACP Sugar research programme with additional operations, not already implemented in the programme, and to provide R&D solutions in the following areas: 

 Theme 1: Science, technology and innovation in field production improvement (Agronomic practices; Land preparation; Harvesting; Environmental concerns etc.):
Results are expected with an increase in the quantity of cane produced per unit area, improved quality of canes delivered to factories,improved working conditions and increased farmers' income.

 Theme 2: Science, technology and innovation in factory operation improvement. (Cane payment; Cane storage; Cane preparation; Effluent etc.)
Results are expected in the scope of the improvement of the quality of cane delivered, the measure of this quality and its enhancement in the scope of yield improvement of the factories' technologies, effluent management and the environment protection around the sugarcane factories.

 Theme 3: Co-products (fuel, chemistry etc.) development (New markets; speciality sugars, packaged sugars, syrups both plain and flavoured; organic canes; fuel canes; ethanol from juices and from bagasse ; other chemicals; Electricity generation etc.).

Over the last three decades there has been a proliferation of non-sucrose sweeteners and other sugars on the market. However, new markets have emerged that the sugar industry can access. The production of speciality sugars, packaged sugars in various sizes, colours and shapes, syrups both plain and flavoured, is being done by industries in the USA and South Africa and should be explored.

A cross-cutting objective of the call for proposal is to strengthen the capacities of the ACP sugar research centres or R&D institutions involved in the sugarcane sector.

Priorities of the call for proposals (will be used as benchmarks for evaluating the proposals)

 Novelty and innovation: Proposals should be original.
 Value added: The value added must be significant in terms of knowledge, economic benefits, sugarcane commodity chain strengthening, etc.
 Strengthening of local R&D institutions/organisations. Any projects should include the strengthening of local institutions/organisations. If the applicant is not an ACP organisation, the proposal should take this issue into account and include local institutions as partners or associates.
 Regional or local impacts: Actions with regional impacts will be preferred compared to Actions with only local impacts.
 Interagency collaborations: Work in collaboration with other research partners will be appreciated as well as proposals that will host students or foreign researchers or partners.
 Involvement of other commodity chain stakeholders.
 Cofinancing: A project with cofinancing from other donors will be appreciated (the higher the cofinancing rate, the better project will be rated).
 Efficiency: Applicants are also invited to take account the possible complementarity with other possible actions in the same area and financed by other donors. In addition, the project should be consistent with relevant sectoral policies.
 Sustainability: Mechanisms should be put in place to ensure the sustainability of actions once the financing of the European Development Fund will end.