Call for applications to unlock your digital journey

Rapid technological progress – driven by things like smartphone usage, internet connectivity, and artificial intelligence – is the story of our times. 

The ISC is keen to support Members with an extensive footprint in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to harness digital technologies and new ways of working towards their mission. More details, including how to apply, can be found below.

The digital age brings immense opportunities for science organizations to enhance their operations, expand their reach and increase their impact. Your organization might already be using digital technologies and new ways of working towards its mission. 

Take, for example, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). To further their mission to support and promote women in science in low income countries, they created profiles of their 9,000+ members, and are developing an algorithm to keep those profiles up to date with members’ latest publications and activities. 

Or take another ISC Member, the Nigerian Academy of Science. In response to COVID-19, the academy introduced digital voting mechanisms for the election of fellows, online platforms for grant applications, and shifted public lectures to online platforms. 

There are multiple examples of how ISC Member organizations have responded to the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. To highlight this, the ISC released a report showcasing some of these inspiring case studies. 

These engaging case studies show that there is strong potential for ISC Members to harness digital technologies and ways of working to further their objectives. Some of these objectives might be to:

• recruit young or underrepresented members
• enhance efficiency and productivity
• build community- or networks in the digital age
• replace inefficient bureaucratic processes
• improve knowledge management and sharing: databases, nomenclatures, and making content digitally accessible, discoverable, and usable

However, science organizations are facing technological change at an ever-increasing pace, including the emergence of disruptive technology like artificial intelligence, and often need support as they deliver new, sometimes unfamiliar projects. 

The ISC is setting up a small cohort of ISC Members who want to receive technical advice and training along their own digital journey, and for them join an active community of other changemakers.

Eligibility 

The ISC is looking for Members in good standing with an extensive footprint in LMICs, and with an ambition to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the digital age within their organization.

Whether your Member organization is just starting out or your digital journey is well underway, your Member organization is equally eligible to apply. There is no need to have an existing digital project or plan to get involved.

The ISC is also looking to work with a diverse set of organizations, testing a wide variety of digital projects, and are open to all ideas in this space, whether that’s using digital tools or new ways of working to engage and connect, generate new value, or improve organizational systems and processes.

What you get

1. Access support from experts to help your Member organization navigate the world of digital technologies and ways of working, and provide practical guidance on your Member organization’s initiatives. This is a one-time opportunity to get free expert support.
2. Receive a tailored action plan based on your organization’s strengths and objectives.
3. Be part of a community of changemakers, all participating in their own digital journey.
4. Get recognition as a Member exploring new ways of working and the opportunity to have your journey published, showcasing your work and influencing the digital direction of other science organizations.

In return, the ISC asks for three things

1. Engagement in 1:1 technical assistance and up to ten core curriculum and training workshops from January through April 2025.
2. Around three hours per week of time from a nominated project focal point in your Member organization to take part in online sessions and work on your digital journey.
3. Commitment from your organization’s senior leadership to engage with any new plan developed as part of the cohort.

The deadline for submitting an application form is Saturday 30 November 2024.

Application form

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Full name *

First

Last

Email *

Member organization you represent *

1. Please describe the footprint of your member organization in low- and middle-income countries *

We are looking for organizations that have substantive presence in the LMICs.

2. What is your member organization's ambition for conducting or continuing a digital journey in the future? Are there specific problems or growth areas you want to focus on? *

3. Please link how this project relates to your member organization’s strategies, and describe leadership buy-in or support for your application. *

4. Are there any problems you think digital technologies could help solve in your member organization, and do you have any specific projects underway right now? *

5. In the long term, what outcomes do you think digital could have for your member organization and its mission/vision? *

6. If possible, please describe the individual/s from the members organization who would be leading engagement with the cohort.

7. What interests the above individual(s) in being part of this cohort? How does it support their role and what do they hope to contribute?

8. This is a first-of-its-kind project for the ISC. How would you share insights from your organization's digital journey story, with the wider cohort and beyond? *

9. Is there any other information you would like to share at this point in the application process? *

Submit

Contact

Zhenya Tsoy

Zhenya Tsoy

Acting Head of Communications

International Science Council

Zhenya Tsoy