Call for Mentors and Expert Evaluators -
Terms of Reference

General Information

The World Food Forum WFF Innovation Lab, in collaboration with multiple partners and stakeholders, is currently implementing the fourth iteration of the Transformative Research Challenge (TRC). The TRC seeks to inspire youth-led research and innovation in sustainable development, to end hunger and transform our agrifood systems.

Teams of young and young-at-heart researchers are invited to submit a two-page Concept Note, presenting an innovative research idea within a specified Special Prize category. The Concept Notes received will undergo evaluation by expert reviewers with expertise in their respective fields. Teams will then be paired with designated mentors to guide them in transforming their Concept Note into a Research Proposal. Following this, a second selection round will be conducted by a panel of experts organized by the WFF TRC organizers to choose the finalists. The finalists will then be requested to prepare a lightning talk for presentation at the WFF TRC Finals.

The Overall TRC winner will be announced during the WFF flagship event, taking place from 14th - 18th October 2024, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. In addition, winners will be selected for each Special Prize and awarded means to realize their Research Proposals in practice.

The WFF Innovation lab invites experts from all over the world to express interest in supporting these emerging researchers and innovators as expert Evaluators and Mentors for the shortlisted TRC teams.

Apply by 20 April 2024

TOR for Mentors

1. Expert Competencies, Experience and Skills:

1.1 Strong academic background with a minimum of a PHD degree relevant to one of the TRC Special Prizes.

1.2 A minimum of five years of experience in a relevant area of expertise.

1.3 Affiliation with an accredited university or research center.

1.4 Excellent communication and writing skills in English; Knowledge of Spanish, French and/or Arabic is advantageous.

2. Duties and Responsibilities of Mentors:

2.1 Establish an interactive mentoring approach with the selected team.

2.2 Coordinate with the assigned team and schedule convenient mentorship hours.

2.3 Advise the team on developing their two-page concept notes into formal research project proposal of up to five pages in English language; a template for the research proposal will be provided by the WFF team.

2.4 Regularly report to the WFF team on Mentorship progress.

3. Timeline and duration of the Mentorship:

3.1 Mentors will be expected to commit approximately one hour per week from 1st June to 31st July 2024. Slight modifications to the timeline may occur.

3.2 Mentors for teams selected as finalists will be invited to extend their mentorship, providing guidance on the final pitches in August 2024, and encouraged to participate in the WFF flagship event in October 2024.

4. Expected Results:

4.1 Each team is supported to effectively deliver the final Research Proposal by the agreed deadline.

4.2 Team capacities are increased in developing research proposals in their field of research.

5. Location:

5.1 Online (e.g., on Zoom or a similar platform).

6. Application Process:

6.1 Submit an online Application form.

6.2 Depending on the alignment of your expertise with the TRC Special Prize topics, you will be assigned to one of the shortlisted teams; it's important to note that being selected for mentorship does not guarantee that a team will be selected as a finalist or winner

6.3 Upon acceptance, mentors will be sent all relevant details.

TOR for Expert Evaluators

1. Expert Competencies, Experience and Skills:

1.1 Strong academic background with a minimum of a master's degree relevant to one or more of the TRC Special Prizes.

1.2 A minimum of five years of experience in a relevant area of expertise.

1.3 Affiliation with an accredited university or research center.

1.4 Excellent communication and writing skills in English; Knowledge of Spanish, French, and/or Arabic is advantageous.

2. Duties and Responsibilities of Evaluators:

2.1 Deliver a thorough evaluation and grading of up to five (two-page) Concept Notes to the WFF team; the grading sheet and criteria will be provided along with the assigned Concept Notes.

2.2 Conduct a comprehensive evaluation and grading for up to five (five-page) Research Proposals.

3. Timeline and duration of the Evaluation Process:

3.1 Expert Evaluators are expected to assess up to five concept notes each during the initial phase of evaluation, scheduled from 10th - 20th May 2024; there might be slight adjustments to the timeline.

3.2 Second-round evaluators will be tasked with assessing up to five research proposals each from 10th - 20th July 2024.

4. Expected Results:

4.1 Returning the grading sheet, which includes the final score for each concept note based on the specified criteria, by the agreed-upon deadline.

5. Location:

5.1 Online (e.g., on Zoom or a similar platform).

6. Application Process:

6.1 Submit an online application form.

6.2 Depending on the alignment of your expertise and the TRC Special Prize topics, you will be assigned to evaluate up to five concept notes and five research proposals .

6.3 Upon acceptance, evaluators will receive all relevant details.