Harnessing the best of international science for strategic advice and guidance to the CGIAR community

Our Mission

To enhance and promote the quality, relevance and impact of science in the CGIAR, to advise the group on strategic scientific issues of importance to its goals and to mobilize and harness the best of international science for addressing the goals of the international agricultural research community.

Science Council Functions

1) Ensuring the relevance of science; 2) enhancing the quality of science; 3) assessing the impact of CGIAR research and 4) helping mobilize global scientific expertise.

For implementing its work the SC has established four standing panels: SPPS facilitates the SC work in ensuring the relevance of science conducted in the CGIAR System, SPME facilitates the SC work in enhancing science quality in the CGIAR, SPIA is responsible for System-level impact assessment and SPMS facilitates work in mobilizing global scientific capacity.

The Science Council provides services directly to the CGIAR System through:

• Active participation in priority setting and strategy planning for the CGIAR system;
• Analysis of the Centres’ strategic plans and priorities;
• Advice on science policy and broad strategic questions;
• Periodic external review of activities and outputs and assessment of quality and relevance of science in each Center;
• System level impact assessment; and
• Scientific advice on Challenge Program proposals.

It serves the International Agricultural Research System through:

• Periodic assessments of global and regional trends;
• Scientific challenges and research opportunities;
• Partnerships with leading scientific organizations;
• Mobilization of global Science & Technology expertise and
• Inventory/directory of experts.

It serves policy makers and the general public through:

• Independent, unbiased merit-based and peer-reviewed report on issues of global concern and
• Short authoritative and timely statements on current issues of interest to the general public.