As a specialized agency of the United Nations, FAO’s engagements with academic and research institutions (ARI) tend to focus on technical collaboration within FAO’s mandate. For this reason, FAO prioritizes engagements with recognized, accredited public or private higher (or tertiary) education and/or research institutions, such as universities, colleges and research centres. 

ARIs located in a FAO member country should first approach their local FAO Country Office or Liaison Office for initial dialogue. Depending on the nature of the potential engagements, the FAO Country Office or Liaison Office will facilitate further connection with an FAO Regional Office or FAO headquarters.

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FAO is not a funding agency to support needs expressed by potential partners. A partnership or collaboration is not based on the availability of financial resources. However, subject to availability, FAO may contribute financial resources for work jointly agreed with the partner. Separate agreements must be drawn up when addressing financial issues.

FAO encourages partners to consult the FAO Strategic Framework for 2022-31, which supports the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

The four betters represent an organizing principle and an innovative business model for how FAO intends to support achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 2030 Agenda and encourage a strategic and systems-oriented approach. The objectives of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 are to be achieved through the implementation of 20 Programme Priority Areas (PPAs). These 20 PPAs guide the programmes that FAO implements under the four betters to fill critical gaps and implement the conditions needed to drive the changes that will contribute to the achievement of the selected SDG targets. All FAO partnerships should contribute to one or more PPAs.

If mutually agreed, FAO and ARI can begin collaborating immediately. Collaborations can be at different levels – from headquarters to regional or country level – and can range from jointly organised events to research, policy dialogue, advocacy to capacity building for young people.

In the case of a formal partnership, more time may be needed, depending on the scope of the collaboration, type of agreement to be signed and the status of the ARI. Partnering means trusting the other party’s reputation, know-how, expertise, outreach capability and potential for impact. These elements are critical to creating a strategic partnership. In general, a partnership is strategic for FAO if it helps to advance key FAO objectives, adds value to the work FAO has already accomplished and exploits the synergies between and the comparative advantages of each partner.

The Partnership and UN Collaboration Division is responsible for engagements between FAO and ARI.

For queries on academic collaborations with FAO, contact [email protected]