Putting impact on the research agenda

IWMI does research for one reason: to have a positive impact on the activities and perspectives of policy makers, water managers and poor rural communities in developing countries.

The Institute's research strives for impact at three levels:
· The global impact of IWMI's research
· The individual impact of IWMI's various research projects.
· Capacity-building and the transfer of practical knowledge and tools to various levels of users in developing countries.

The global impact of IWMI's research

IWMI's research is acknowledged by many as having brought new thinking to the international agricultural research community on how water is used, measured and valued. Through involvement in global initiatives, the publication of our research in international journals and the participation of our scientists in international conferences IWMI is changing the way people think about water.

Impact of proposals and individual research activities

Each IWMI project proposal includes a plan for impact assessment. While some impacts may not be experienced for a decade or more, a series of benchmarks should be established to determine whether or not the anticipated results of research are being achieved and to gauge or reassess the likely impact. At the individual project level, each project leader is responsible for assuring appropriate impact assessment for his or her projects.

Capacity-building and knowledge transfer

IWMI's capacity building and training effort targets several types of partners: IWMI visiting scientists and post doctoral scientists from developing countries, national research institutes and policy makers in developing countries. A capacity building strategy is being put in place to deliver information and experience to these partners.

Policy Roundtables: Roundtable discussions will be organized for the highest possible level of target group (Ministers/Secretaries).
Target: 2-3 policy roundtables per year, initially in India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Ph.D. Scholarship program: 'Sandwich' programs are being developed with several universities in the North and the South. Ph.D. students will do their research in the IWMI research program, supervised by IWMI scientists.
Target (2000-2005): 25 Ph.D. Fellows from the South in the next five years.

NARS partnership program: Long-term relationships will be established with excellent universities and research institutes in Asia and Africa under the theme 'IWMI's Excellence in Water Resources Management Education Program'. Sabbaticals and Fellowships will be offered to university staff and IWMI staff will reciprocate by lecturing at these universities.
Target (2000-2005): 10 stable, long-term institutional partnerships.

IWMI Postdoctoral Fellowship program: The majority of fellows will be selected from the South and included in IWMI staffing and research proposals.
Target (2001-2005): 30 PostDoc Fellows from the South.

Private Sector program: A program offering private sector consulting firms and institutes the opportunity to second staff to IWMI for three to six month periods as Visiting Scientists. The program will also be open to public sector organizations, NARS and NGO representatives.
Target (2001-2005): 25 Visiting Scientists in the next five years.

The global impact of IWMI's research

Impact of proposals and individual research activities