Top aid agency news of 2012

What were international development agencies doing in 2012? Copyright: Flickr/ArtbyRetta

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<h1>Top aid agency news of 2012</h1>
<h4></h4>
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<p>
	<strong>What were big international aid and development agencies doing in science in 2012? Catch up with the key news stories. </strong></p>
<p>
	<em>SciDev.Net</em> looks back over the past year's news from the major international development agencies.</p>
<p>
	Key stories include Canada's International Development Research Centre closing two of its six regional offices and terminating support for its Innovation for Inclusive Development programme, and Australia's overseas aid programme planning to increase research funding by 20 per cent in 2013 and launching a medical research strategy geared towards the needs of developing countries.</p>
<p>
	Which <em>SciDev.Net</em> articles do you find the most useful? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us <a href="https://twitter.com/SciDevNet" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@scidevnet</a> using #bestof2012</p>
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	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/new-usaid-grants-to-boost-development-science-1.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Rice_researchers_Flickr_IRRI.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Rice_researchers_Flickr_IRRI.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Rice_researchers_Flickr_IRRI.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/new-usaid-grants-to-boost-development-science-1.html ">New USAID grants to boost development science </a></h4>
<p>
		USAID has announced new grants for US universities and colleges to boost research of benefit to developing countries.</p>
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	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/idrc-cuts-regional-offices-and-ends-innovation-programme.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Womenworkers_Uganda_Flickr_GatesFoundation.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Womenworkers_Uganda_Flickr_GatesFoundation.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Womenworkers_Uganda_Flickr_GatesFoundation.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/news/idrc-cuts-regional-offices-and-ends-innovation-programme.html ">IDRC cuts regional offices and ends innovation programme</a></h4>
<p>
		Canada's International Development Research Centre is to close two of its six global offices following heavy budget cuts.</p>
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	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/r-d-in-africa/news/royal-society-and-dfid-launch-fund-for-african-research.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Research_lab_shutterstock_65005195.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Research_lab_shutterstock_65005195.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Research_lab_shutterstock_65005195.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/r-d-in-africa/news/royal-society-and-dfid-launch-fund-for-african-research.html">Royal Society and DFID launch fund for African research</a></h4>
<p>
		A capacity building fund will link up UK and African research teams to investigate water, renewable energy and soil.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-communication/news/ausaid-boosts-investment-in-impact-based-research.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AgriculturalResearchLaos_Flickr_vredeseilanden_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AgriculturalResearchLaos_Flickr_vredeseilanden_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AgriculturalResearchLaos_Flickr_vredeseilanden_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-communication/news/ausaid-boosts-investment-in-impact-based-research.html">AusAID boosts investment in impact-based research</a></h4>
<p>
		An Australian research plan for its overseas aid has pledged new resources and a focus on user-driven and open-access research.</p>
</div>
<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/south-east-asia/news/ausaid-to-boost-funding-for-health-innovation-research.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AusAIDdoctors_Flickr_DepartmentofDefence_140x140_120910174700043.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AusAIDdoctors_Flickr_DepartmentofDefence_140x140_120910174700043.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/AusAIDdoctors_Flickr_DepartmentofDefence_140x140_120910174700043.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/south-east-asia/news/ausaid-to-boost-funding-for-health-innovation-research.html">AusAID to boost funding for health innovation research </a></h4>
<p>
		Health research and innovation geared towards the needs of developing countries are the focus of AusAID's draft medical strategy.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/capacity-building/news/uk-s-dfid-urged-to-step-up-a-gear-on-capacity-building-.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/YoungResearcher_Flickr_RMTip21_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/YoungResearcher_Flickr_RMTip21_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/YoungResearcher_Flickr_RMTip21_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/capacity-building/news/uk-s-dfid-urged-to-step-up-a-gear-on-capacity-building-.html ">UK's DFID urged to step up a gear on capacity building </a></h4>
<p>
		A parliamentary report has suggested a range of measures the UK can take to improve capacity building for science and technology in developing nations.</p>
</div>
<div class="article cf ">
	<a href="http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/science-diplomacy/news/usaid-steps-up-its-science-efforts.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/barackobamaCROPPED_flickr_TheOfficialWhiteHousePhotostream.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/barackobamaCROPPED_flickr_TheOfficialWhiteHousePhotostream.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/barackobamaCROPPED_flickr_TheOfficialWhiteHousePhotostream.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/science-diplomacy/news/usaid-steps-up-its-science-efforts.html">USAID steps up its science efforts </a></h4>
<p>
		The US Agency for International Development has upgraded its science advice and launched 'development labs' at top universities.</p>
</div>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.scidev.net/en/climate-change-and-energy/news/science-and-development-highlights-of-2012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Link to science and development highlights of 2012 </a></p>
<p>
	Which aid policy article is your favourite and why?</p>

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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/news/top-aid-agency-news-of-2012/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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What were big international aid and development agencies doing in science in 2012? Catch up with the key news stories.

SciDev.Net looks back over the past year's news from the major international development agencies.

Key stories include Canada's International Development Research Centre closing two of its six regional offices and terminating support for its Innovation for Inclusive Development programme, and Australia's overseas aid programme planning to increase research funding by 20 per cent in 2013 and launching a medical research strategy geared towards the needs of developing countries.

Which SciDev.Net articles do you find the most useful? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us @scidevnet using #bestof2012

New USAID grants to boost development science

USAID has announced new grants for US universities and colleges to boost research of benefit to developing countries.

IDRC cuts regional offices and ends innovation programme

Canada's International Development Research Centre is to close two of its six global offices following heavy budget cuts.

Royal Society and DFID launch fund for African research

A capacity building fund will link up UK and African research teams to investigate water, renewable energy and soil.

AusAID boosts investment in impact-based research

An Australian research plan for its overseas aid has pledged new resources and a focus on user-driven and open-access research.

AusAID to boost funding for health innovation research

Health research and innovation geared towards the needs of developing countries are the focus of AusAID's draft medical strategy.

UK's DFID urged to step up a gear on capacity building

A parliamentary report has suggested a range of measures the UK can take to improve capacity building for science and technology in developing nations.