Foreword

What a year it has been! The whole world was hit by a global pandemic caused by ‘a big disease with a little name’, resulting in unprecedented chaos, protests and riots, online learning, remote work and self-quarantine, the advent of the “1.5m-society” through social distancing, and also of super-spreaders, Zoom and Teams parties, stress and depression, contact tracing and bubbles. Meanwhile, resolute scientists around the world started addressing the pandemic, finding solutions and developing much-anticipated vaccines. However, they also continued working to solve other urgent problems that have been around for some time and still need our attention, such as global warming, climate change and food security. Science did not go into quarantine in 2020, and thus IFS continued its essential work of supporting early career researchers in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries.

As we reflect on the year now ending, we can all feel pride in what we accomplished together, from the uninterrupted efforts to announce the 2020 call, to processing a record number of applications, to a year of transition into our new Strategy 2021–2030, Investing in Future Scientists. However, at the same time, like many organisations, IFS has been affected by changes in the development and funding landscape, and we look ahead to more clarity in 2021 as we try to respond and adapt.

As always, our success is possible because of our collaborations with strategic partners, the dedication of our Scientific Advisory Committee members, the hard work of our small and mighty staff at the IFS Secretariat, the scientific passion of our grantees and alumni, and the financial contributions of our donors, and as well as the strong leadership of our Board of Trustees.

The ways in which IFS and other organisations are responding to the COVID pandemic exemplifies how scientific research can make the difference between life and death in countries where this capacity exists. The reality is that the benefits of science remain a distant prospect for many, especially in countries whose scientific talent goes largely untapped. Thus, the work of IFS is now more relevant than ever.

PHOTO: PETR ZMEK, CZU

Dr Patrick Van Damme Chair of the IFS Board of Trustees

Dr Patrick Van Damme

Chair

PHOTO: PRIVATE

Dr Nighisty Ghezae IFS Director

Dr Nighisty Ghezae

Director