DFID-ESRC Growth Programme

DFID-ESRC Growth Programme (DEGP) - call for Bids for DEGP Directorate Function

The DEGP is calling for Intentions to Bid from proposers who would like to deliver the DEGP directorate function. The primary objective of the directorate will be to ensure that high quality evidence on economic growth is generated and that this is effectively disseminated and incorporated into policy dialogue, and policy making in developing countries.

Key deliverables of the directorate include, but are not limited to:

  • providing intellectual input into the management of the programme
  • strong intellectual oversight
  • establishing an international profile for the programme
  • ensuring the programme attracts world class researchers.

For further information see the OJEU advert (external website).

Expressions of interest must be made via email or telephone. The invitation-to-bid document will be issued by email.

For further information on the role and this process, please email Jonathan Smith: jonathan.smith@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk.

The closing date for this is 26 March 2012. In addition, there will be a bidders day for potential submitters on 5 March in Central London. Further details will be sent with the ‘intention-to-bid’ document.

DEGP 2011 call

The Department for International Development (DFID) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are partnering in a new programme on economic growth in developing countries. The DFID/ESRC Growth Programme will fund world class scientific research on issues relating to inclusive economic growth in Low Income Countries (LICs), with high potential for impact on policy and practice.   

There will be three themes under the call. Applications which are not deemed to address these themes sufficiently will be rejected as ineligible. The themes are: 

  • Theme 1: Agriculture and Growth: 
    This theme will focus on developing understanding of the relationship between agricultural development and broader economic growth, and on the impact of policies on agricultural productivity. 
  • Theme 2: Financial Sector Development and Growth: 
    This theme will focus on macro issues in finance in LICs, including regulation and supervision of financial markets, the structure of the sector, and management of capital inflows.
  • Theme 3: Innovation, Diffusion and Economic Growth: Raising Productivity in Low Income Countries This theme will investigate issues around innovation, the spread of know-how, and the process of adapting know-how to meet local conditions in LICs. 

Applicants should indicate in the Summary section of the form which theme they will be applying under: ‘Agriculture’, ‘Finance’ or ‘Innovation’.

Deadline for applications: 16.00 UK time on 26 May 2011

Important Reminder: Any UK and non-UK applicant(s) and their institutions intending to apply to this call must ensure they are registered with the Joint Electronic Submission System (Je-S). It is essential to allow sufficient time to secure Je-S registration - we strongly recommend that applicants register with Je-S at least four weeks prior to the call deadline, as no exceptions can be made for late submission of applications.

If you and your research organisation are already registered for Je-S, electronic applications can be accessed via the central Je-S website.

Please note

  • Applications are invited for projects with a fEC value of in excess of £100,000. There is no upper limit for applications, although we expect to fund up to 30 research projects with an average size of £370k (at 100 per cent fEC) and a duration of between one and three years.
  • The Case for Support is the substance of your proposal and is mandatory. It should not exceed 6 A4 sides, plus up to a further 6 A4 sides for various annexes and supporting documents such as bibliographic materials, glossaries of technical terms, charts, diagrams and tables. A ‘Pathways to Impact’ statement of up to 2 sides of A4 must be included, as well as a completed ‘Project Partners template’ (below). In addition, a CV for each applicant and any named research staff (maximum of 2 A4 sides) must also be included.
  • All applicants from non-UK institutions or with non-UK partners must follow the additional specific guidance relating to overseas costs which can be found below ("Costings guidance for non-UK institutions and partners").

Essential documents

Important guidance on the application process

* This is a general guide of income levels in countries considered to be developing based on last available world bank statistics. The list is a guide and is by no means exhaustive or definitive.

Contact

Please send email queries to dfid_growth@esrc.ac.uk or telephone:

  • Mary Day: +44 (0) 1793 413078
  • Trudie Keene: +44 (0)1793 413066