Abstract
This Brief Primer on Tools to Prioritize a Research and Innovation Portfolio in a Complex System Involving Multiple Decision Makers equips System Council and CGIAR leadership with ISDC tools (2020-2025) to guide difficult funding and research allocation choices amid shrinking resources and expanding global challenges. It outlines methods to make prioritization transparent, consistent, and defensible, integrating both top-down and bottom-up perspectives.
Drawing on ISDC’s previous publications, the Primer consolidates tools such as comparative and absolute advantage assessments, foresight and trade-off analyses, and systems-based boundary setting to help define where CGIAR can deliver the greatest impact across its five Impact Areas.
Citation
CGIAR Independent Science for Development Council. 2025. Brief Primer on Tools to Prioritize a Research and Innovation Portfolio in a Complex System Involving Multiple Decision Makers. Rome: CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service.
