MICROCAPITAL STORY: PlaNet Finance Seeks Research Proposals for University Meets Microfinance (UMM) Project

PlaNet Finance and the Freie Universität Berlin invite university and master students to submit Research Proposals for the ‘University Meets Microfinance’ (UMM) project. Research priorities for 2009 will include rural microfinance, microinsurance, mobile banking and ICT, and money transfers. Scholarships will be granted to undertake field research in developing and transition countries. UMM will be co-financed by the European Commission who will provide 3 year support within their ‘Education to Development‘ program.

The goal of the UMM project is to foster cooperation between microfinance practitioners and students from European universities. Students will be provided with mentorship by experienced practitioners and academics. Furthermore it is hoped that there will be increased support for field research, a contribution to microfinance innovation and improved awareness by European decision makers about microfinance.

It is anticipated that 400 students and 5 European Universities will participate. 15 scholarships/best research prices will be awarded and 60 students will be mentored under the program. Students should apply before April 30, 2009 for the first selection round. For detailed information, visit: http://www.planetfinancegroup.org/EN/actualites.php or send an email to: umm@planetfinance.org.

PlaNet Finance, an international non-government organization (NGO) based in Paris, was founded in 1997 to provide consulting and technical assistance to microfinance institutions (MFIs), banks, and governments in the fields of microfinance and microinsurance. It has programs in 60 countries with over 220 partner institutions. PlaNet Finance Group is the holding company for various organizations including PlaNet Finance Advisory Services; Planet Rating, a microfinance rating agency; PlaNIS, an advisory company in debt management and private equity; and MicroCred, an investment company that creates companies and banks specializing in microfinance. For further information on MicoCred and the MFIs it has created in other countries refer to this MicroCapital story. This previous MicroCapital story discusses the partnership between PlaNet Finance and pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, to research methods to improve access to healthcare for low income households in China. PlaNet Finance has also received a grant from the Gates Foundation of USD 1.7 million for a mobile banking project; refer to this MicroCapital story for further details.

By Sally Levy, Research Assistant

Additional Resources:

Microfinance Gateway article: PlaNet Finance Invites Proposals for University Meets Microfinance Project

PlaNet Finance: Home; Press Release: University Meets Microfinance (UMM)

MIX Market: PlaNet Finance

European Commission: Home

Freie Universität Berlin: Home

MicroCapital Story: PlaNet Finance teams with Pfizer to Research Healthcare Needs of Low-Income Chinese in pursuit of Effective Microinsurance and Microfinance Plus Services

MicroCapital Story: MicroCred Receives Capital Increase from Developing World Markets and AXA Belgium

MicroCapital Story: Gates Foundation Grants 1.7 Million to PlaNet Finance And France Telecom’s Orange for Mobile Banking Microfinance Project