The Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) is an external, impartial standing panel of eight experts with expertise in science and development pertaining to agriculture and food systems. The Chair and Members are appointed by the CGIAR System Council (SC), the representative body of funders of CGIAR and country representatives.
ISDC provides rigorous, independent strategic advice to SC and the CGIAR System as a whole. Members are responsible for providing strategic oversight and scientific assessments while ensuring robust and impartial advice to the SC and affiliated governance bodies. This includes advice on CGIAR Strategy, research structure and processes, funding requests, and research proposals. In addition, the ISDC leads:
- Foresight work to inform CGIAR’s longer-term research strategy;
- Horizon scanning to provide analysis on how emerging trends and developments can be considered in CGIAR’s work;
- Priority-setting exercises and analyses integrating both ex-post and ex-ante analyses.
Therefore, it is vital that ISDC includes skills, disciplines, and backgrounds relevant to the CGIAR research and innovation agenda. Learn about the current Chair and members here.
ISDC CHAIR
CGIAR is seeking to fill the Chair position to join current members who represent a diverse group of recognized experts in their respective fields. The commencement date would ideally be 1 October 2025. The Chair of ISDC is appointed by the System Council based upon a merit-based, open and competitive selection process. The Chair is appointed for a period of 3-years with the possibility of a once-only 3-year extension.
The Chair role is an honorarium-based appointment. The Chair serves 105 days yearly, broadly corresponding to a 50%-time commitment.
Learn more and apply to become the ISDC Chair here.
ISDC MEMBERS
CGIAR is seeking to fill up to two ISDC member vacancies to join current serving members who represent a diverse group of recognized experts in their respective fields. The commencement date for one of the selected appointees would ideally be January 1st, 2026.
To assist CGIAR in maintaining an overall ISDC member composition that enables ISDC to deliver on its mandate in the context of CGIAR’s Research and Innovation Strategy, CGIAR is seeking candidates whose origin, experience, and usual work environment reflect the regions where CGIAR’s work is focused. ISDC benefits from multidisciplinary researchers who value and have experience in agrifood systems and innovation approaches. ISDC is a proactive and output-driven Council that relies on the individual and collective work of its members, supported by a small secretariat.
Learn more and apply to become an ISDC member here.
