Rationale
Since not all project partners have personnel that can, or would wish to, participate in the more academic aspects of the research project we have funds to assist in financing high quality and complementary applied research. Applied research with partners will be an integral part of the project, focusing on adaptive learning; communication research; development of indicators; building capacity; scaling up; sharing and getting feedback on research outputs (especially lessons learned); and implementation or testing of recommendations in order to change attitudes, behaviour and policy under various systems of governance. Provision is made for 2-3 small grants per year, each up to BBD$17,500, during the project.

Granting process
Eligibility requirements

• Restricted to partners in research project implementation or utilisation of outputs
• Can be a new or existing partner to the research, but not an ad hoc applicant
• Although organisations are preferred, grants can also be to responsible individuals
• Applicants should be from the study area and have ties to marine resource governance
• Applications can be from alliances among partners to increase effective capacity
• Proposed activity should take place in the study area (OECS members and Barbados)
• Applications from government units may require NGO partners for effective financing
• Activities must be cost-effective and must be completed within the research period
• Activities will be guided by applicable research ethics and other MarGov standards
• Some expenditure (e.g. capital purchases, salary support, travel) may be excluded
• Preference may be given to building capacity as an added value of the small grant
• Other requirements may apply and are subject to change as the project progresses

Application procedures

• Applicants should first ensure that they are familiar with the project before applying
• Applicants will be guided by research plan, objectives and questions of the study
• Applications may be submitted at any time, but may be considered only in batches
• The standard application form must be used, submitted with supporting documents
• Electronic applications and documents are preferred; send paper as a last resort
• The application process is not competitive, and CERMES may invite applicants
• Applications will be evaluated by selected persons before being approved
• CERMES will assist applicants to verify that interests align with the research
• The application process is a negotiation and must be seen as such by applicants

Disbursement and conditions

• A letter of agreement between the project and grantee will be required upon approval
• Procedures may be determined by UWI and IDRC policies for financial accountability
• CERMES may set conditions specific to the approved activity including periodic reporting

Monitoring and evaluation

• A multi-stakeholder review panel has been set up to monitor and evaluate small grants
• The small grant research forms an integral part of the MarGov project for evaluation

Grants awarded

Recipient :	Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)
Grant Title	Sea urchin fishery governance in Grenada
Purpose :	The overall purpose is to analyse the current institutional framework and capacity for fisheries governance both at the national level and in a few selected regions (e.g. N.E. Trinidad, S.W Tobago) in Trinidad and Tobago , with a view to contributing to a better understanding of: a) characteristics of networks that are relevant to resilience and adaptability of fisheries governance; b) what kinds of interventions and governance structures have been effective in enhancing adaptive capacity and enabling self-organisation
Duration :	Oct 2007 – May 2008
Recipient :	Grenada Fisheries Division in association with the Agency for Rural Transformation
Grant Title	Institutional framework and capacity for fisheries governance in Trinidad and Tobago
Purpose :	To develop a draft fisheries management plan and governance arrangements for the Grenada sea urchin fishery, using ecosystem-based and sustainable livelihood approaches to fisheries management.
Duration :	May – Nov 2008
Recipient :	Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) of Barbados
Grant Title :	Improving governance through the Barbados Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC)
Purpose :	In the contexts of the legal mandate of the 1993 Fisheries Act, as amended in 2000, and the new (2008) policy mandate of the new fisheries minister for the FAC to serve as a major link between the minister and the fishing industry, the FAC will seek to promote and facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders in the Barbados fishing industry in improving governance through information exchange and demonstration.
Duration :	Aug – Dec 2008