The impact of the International Foundation for Science (IFS) funding on Latin American research in animal health and production

A three-part study was carried out to evaluate the characteristics and impa ct of the International Foundation for Science (IFS) finding in Latin Ameri ca between 1975 and 1997. In the first part analysis of the grants awarded by the IFS showed that support peaked in 1990. Countries most frequently fa vored were Mexico and Argentina with animal diseases and nutrition being th e research areas most commonly funded. A second part of the study in which present and ex-IFS grantees were asked to answer a questionnaire on their t otal research publications revealed that they published predominantly in pe el reviewed journals from their home countries. A third approach involved a search in the international database Science Citation Index to identify th e grantee 's publications published in the mainstream research literature. Felv publications were retrieved suggesting a reduced international presenc e. These findings ate discussed in relation to the objectives of the IFS pr ogram and the characteristics of scientific research in agricultural discip lines in Latin America.