Ticora V. Jones, PhD Division Chief, Higher Education Solutions Network

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1 Ticora V. Jones, PhD Division Chief, Higher Education Solutions Network

2 The U.S. Global Development Lab USAID is spearheading a bold approach to discover, test, and scale solutions to help people lift themselves out of poverty. The U.S. Global Development Lab (The Lab) will accelerate the application of science, technology, innovation, and partnerships (STIP) to solve some of the most complex development problems more cost-efficiently and effectively.

3 Two part Mission of the Lab To produce breakthrough development innovations Extreme poverty has been cut in half over the last 20 years. What s next? To accelerate the transformation of the U.S. development enterprise

4 To support an open source development approach, our Agency must serve as a platform that connects the world s biggest development challenges to development problem solvers all around the world. We recognize that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, Aspen Institute, August 2012

5 INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM Collaborate Harness human ingenuity Connect innovators with resources Test their concepts and ideas When they work; help scale them to improve millions of lives

6 Target: Universities Creating opportunities for impact, from the individual to the ecosystem Research Innovation Fellows Higher Education Solutions Network Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Feed the Future Innovation Labs

7 Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) HESN is a partnership between the U.S. Global Development Lab and seven top universities, designed to harness the ingenuity and passion of university students, researchers, and faculty to deliver the greatest impact and develop innovative solutions to global development challenges.

8 With $137 million over 5 years from USAID and leveraging nearly equal investments from the institutions, the universities established eight Development Labs, collaborating with a network that extends beyond 400 partner institutions in academia, civil society and government across 40 countries. The Labs allow researchers, innovators, and institutions to directly engage in the redefinition of problems and identification of new solutions.

9 The 8 inaugural HESN Development Labs are located at the following universities: College of William and Mary Duke University Makerere University in Uganda Massachusetts Institute of Technology (host of 2 Labs) Michigan State University Texas A&M University University of California, Berkeley

10 Research and Innovation Fellowships An interconnected global network of US and international students, scientists, and researchers interested in innovation projects in-country Global network for sustainable partnerships between institutions Provides an easy way to access opportunities to use science and technology to tackle development challenges

11 Fellowship Basics Pilot Countries: Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa 2-12 month Fellowships for graduate students USAID funds the student Host provides in-kind support as possible Host can be NGO, private sector organizations, research centers, universities, and even Government ministries

12 Example of a Host Opportunity Creating Mobile apps to harness the tourism industry in Colombia Developing apps for marketplace exchange, cultural event promotion, and local business recommendations

13 Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) PEER is a partnership between USAID and several government agencies that provides research funding to developing country scientists conducting development-oriented research in collaboration with U.S. Governmentfunded researchers.

14 Benefits of PEER Increases global scope and fosters international collaborations with developing country scientists and researchers Bolsters Research Effectiveness Accesses local knowledge and resources Funds research towards scientific innovation Links to international research community Develops Science Diplomacy Realizes development objectives

15 Feed the Future (FTF) Innovation Labs USAID is pairing American ingenuity and expertise with some of the best and brightest minds across the globe through its 24 Feed the Future Innovation Labs. These university partnerships deliver integrated research and capacity building in target countries, drawing on the core research, extension and education strengths of the U.S. University community.

16 Feed the Future Impact Feed the Future, President Obama s global hunger and food security initiative, is the United States contribution to these global efforts to significantly reduce poverty and undernutrition by 20% in target areas. Led by USAID, the initiative draws on the agricultural, trade, investment, development, and policy resources and expertise of 10 federal agencies.

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18 Working with the Lab: Services and Programs All Children Reading Counter Trafficking in Persons Campus Challenge Atrocity Prevention Tech Challenge Wildlife Trafficking Tech Challenge DEC Data Analytics Challenge Rural Broadband Prize Turning Data into Action Desal Prize Prizes Securing Water for Food Saving Lives at Birth Making All Voices Count All Children Reading Powering Agriculture Ebola Challenge Challenges Development Innovation Ventures Global Innovation Fund Digital Inclusion, Digital Finance, and Mobile Data Open Data Operational Innovation Platforms Research Innovation Fellowships AAAS Fellows Jefferson Fellows Fellowships Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research Mobile Hub Alliance for Affordable Internet Higher Education Solutions Network Better than Cash Global Partnerships Cornerstone Partners Ventures Networks Partnerships

19 Global Development Lab - University Programs Summary HESN - Creates a global interdisciplinary network of Development Labs to solve distinct development challenges PEER - Builds developing country scientific and technical capacity RI Fellows - Harness the intellectual power of scientific and technical students for development Overall, USAID provided $340M of funding to Higher Ed Institutions last year. The Agency will continue our biannual webinars with HEIs held two this year, May and October. New Annual Program Statement (APS) will be released this year to continue to build our historically strong ties to Universities.

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