The Association of International Agricultural Research Centers (AIARC) was founded in 1992 by the International Agricultural Research Centers (the Centers) affiliated with the CGIAR; Rockefeller and Ford foundations; and USAID. It was the goal of these founding organizations to provide global benefits to research scientists living and working at these Centers.
AIARC is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 membership corporation, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, and member organizations include twenty-two international agricultural research centers with staff living and working in over 100 countries.
AIARC supports and leverages the resources of international agricultural research organizations by providing centralized management of specialized global personnel functions, to include: payroll, employee benefits, risk management, and compliance to reduce administrative time and costs. This pooling of resources provides the AIARC member organizations with benefits and services that would not be available or economical if performed individually.
The overall responsibility for the governance of the AIARC rests with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected by the member organizations and includes the chief executive officer.
The following is a current listing of the Board of Directors:
- Dr. Simon Heck, AIARC Chair, Director General, CIP
- Kick Geels, AIARC Vice-Chair, Director of Finance, CIMMYT
- Victor Guardia, Global Director, Finance, Alliance Bioversity & CIAT
- Carla Lazarte, Head, Human Resources & Organizational Development, IRRI
- Geoffrey Martin, Global Human Resources Director, IFDC
- David Richter, External Director
- Angshu Sengupta, Interim Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, icipe
- Kumar Tumuluru, Director of Corporate Services, CIFOR-ICRAF
- Jeffrey T. Hungate, President & CEO, AIARC
Purpose
Enable global agricultural research organizations to connect and collaborate, empowering their people to focus on science that improves food systems and livelihoods.
Mission
Deliver global benefits, financial and human resource shared solutions, and collaborative platforms that strengthen agricultural research organizations to enhance the health, wealth, and wellbeing of their people worldwide.
Vision
A thriving global agricultural research community grounded in trusted partnerships and collaboration, enabling science to improve food systems and livelihoods.
Teamwork is the cornerstone to our success.
A harmonious collaboration between AIARC staff, members, and vendors creates a synergistic partnership for all. We will treat each other with mutual respect, fairness, and integrity at all times.
Inclusiveness allows us to make better decisions.
AIARC is a global organization that encourages and appreciates various backgrounds, diverse expertise, and multiple perspectives.
Our standards are exceptionally high.
We are stewards of our members’ financial affairs and take this responsibility very seriously by being ethical, honest, and fiscally responsible.
Transparency is our norm.
AIARC will abide by all laws and public disclosure requirements. We will openly communicate with members while keeping personal information confidential.
Our members deserve to be satisfied.
AIARC strives to provide each member with positive client interactions and experiences. We will listen and respond to each member in a timely, competent, and professional manner.
Our success allows members to focus on their missions.
AIARC will constantly strive to add value by lessening the administrative burden and leveraging the pooled resources.