24 June 2010: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Scholarship Programme, which was established with the funds received from the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, has issued its first call for proposals.

The goal of the Scholarship Programme is to help strengthen the scientific and technical capability in developing countries to contribute to climate science and research, and to develop and implement climate change policies and measures at the domestic and international levels. Proposals for this round of scholarships should focus on the following fields of study: underlying science of climate change; impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, water availability, health and agriculture; climate-related disaster management, including institutional and organizational issues; climate modelling and assessment of impacts of climate change; and adaptation and mitigation options for different sectors and assessment of socioeconomic implications.

The IPCC Scholarship Programme encourages applications from candidates from developing countries, especially those from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and the regions worst hit by droughts, floods, famine and changed patterns of precipitation. The deadline for applications for the first round is 31 July 2010, and the selection process is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2010. [IPCC Information on the Call for Proposals]