The projects focus on urban development and social inequality in Colombia and the breeding of disease resistant fish.
They are in the running for £200,000 Newton Prize awards, which are presented to projects that demonstrate science and innovation and promote economic development and social welfare.
This year’s shortlist consists of 22 proposals from researchers in the UK, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
An additional prize – the Chairman’s Award – is given to a project with the potential for broader impact. The winning projects will be announced in November.
Peace building
A project led by Dr Maria Soledad Garcia Ferrari, Edinburgh College of Art, explores how city development can contribute to improved social equity and wellbeing in Medellin, one of the most socially divided cities in Latin America.
Focus is on understanding Medellin and the Colombian peace agreement and developing strategies that involve communities and institutions on a level platform.
Our proposed work is timely and relevant, not only to Colombia but also to other countries dealing with peace processes and the wellbeing of internally displaced people and affected communities.
Dr Maria Soledad Garcia FerrariEdinburgh College of Art
Medellin Urban Innovation (MUI) is a collaboration between academic and non-academic institutions in both the UK and Colombia.
Disease resistance in farmed fish
Also nominated is a Roslin Institute study that has developed genetic technologies to identify fish that have greater resistance to infectious diseases.
The project aims to help farmers select these fish for breeding programmes to improve the overall resilience of their stocks.
These low-cost techniques have already helped to reduce fish deaths in the Chilean salmon industry by around 40 per cent.
Exports of Chilean salmon have increased by around 20 per cent since the technology was introduced, providing income and nutrition for communities reliant on fish farming.
The team aims to make similar gains for the aquaculture sector in Brazil.
I am excited that our research into aquaculture genetics has been shortlisted for this prestigious prize, and hope it gives us the opportunity for further translational research to improve fish production and food security in Latin America.
Professor Ross Houston, Project leadRoslin Institute
Prize funding
The Newton Fund is managed by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and delivered through seven UK delivery partners, UK Research and Innovation, the UK Academies, the British Council and the Met Office.
The Roslin Institute receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.