USAID, NSF launch science research grant program to support development goals

USAID and the National Science Foundation (NSF) on Thursday launched the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) initiative to "provide grants to developing world partners of NSF U.S. grantees," with the goal of supporting "applied research - science in support of development - in areas of global concern such as climate change, biodiversity, water issues, agriculture, seismic hazards and deforestation," SciDev.Net reports (Tatalovic, 7/8).

"PEER is part of a larger effort by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah to use science and technology to help address pressing needs in the developing world," ScienceInsider writes (Villacorta, 7/8).