In situ and Ex situ Conservation of Commercial Tropical Trees - ITTO

119Projects and ComponentsThe subprogram consists of two coordinated projects, the Science Centers andDirected Research Project - Phase I, and the Emergency Assistance Project.The Phase I Project – consisting of the science centers and directedresearch components – closed on December 31, 1999. It aimed to Amazonregion by supporting competitive grants for scientific research and strengtheningtwo established research institutions, the National Institute for Research in theAmazon (INPA) and the Emílio Goeldi Museum (MPEG).• The Directed Research Component under the Phase I project providedresources for 23 research grants to institutions, selected by a 1995competitive process (call) in three areas: (i) ecosystem studies; (ii)sustainable management and technology development; and (iii)socioeconomic and cultural studies. Subsequently, donors supported fundingof a second 1998 call for another 30 grants to institutions and individualresearchers. The total cost was US$5.11 million.The IAG made specific suggestions at its 13th meeting, considering thatthe current point-based selection system places insufficient importance onneither Pilot Program objectives nor research staff qualifications. Priorityresearch topics should include: causes of deforestation, valuation ofenvironmental services, public policy impacts, production and marketing offorest products, sustainability of agrarian reform settlements and demarcatedindigenous areas. The MTR preliminary report indicates that the Componentimproved its performance considerably. The 1998 call and the resultingcontracts include several innovative and commendable aspects: They speedup and simplified the processing and administration of individual grants andgave more degrees of freedom to research teams to optimize their work.• The Science Centers Component supported activities aimed at institutionalstrengthening and facilities improvement of the two regional science centers.Spending totaled US$20.86 million, of which US$9.2 million from theBrazilian Government and US$11.7 million from donors. As a result, despitesome implementation problems and differences in priorities, the centersstrengthened institutional management and planning, rehabilitated andexpanded infrastructure and equipment, increased human resource capacityfor research and education and improved science and disseminationmanagement. The Emergency Assistance Project was a supplementaryproject designed to support infrastructure renovations at the two sciencecenters. The project closed on June 30, 1998.