ESRC-DFID Joint Scheme for Research on International Development (Poverty Alleviation) Phase 2 Call 3

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DFID_logoThe Department for International Development (DFID) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are pleased to announce a third call for applications under Phase 2 of their strategic partnership to provide a joint funding scheme for development research. Both sponsors have a strong commitment to commissioning world class research and ensuring that the resulting evidence is useful to practitioners and policy makers worldwide.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide a more robust conceptual and empirical basis for development, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This second phase of the joint scheme has a total budget of £23 million and consists of three annual calls for proposals. £7 million is set aside for this third call.

The second phase of funding retains the overall 'poverty alleviation' theme from the first phase, and applications under this broad heading will still be eligible. However, ESRC and DFID have identified three thematic areas for this call where work will be of particular interest. These areas are:

  • Resource Scarcity, Growth and Poverty Reduction;
  • Information and Communication Technology and Development;
  • Measuring Development.

As well as research excellence, researchers must identify the potential impacts of their research on policy and practice and actively consider how these will be maximised and developed. Previous research includes: work on gender based violence that informed the design of a micro credits scheme in East Africa; research that suggested a change in focus from primary to secondary school attendance for conditional cash transfers in Mexico which was then used to inform a pilot; demand led research on TB stigma which contributed to new training materials and guidelines in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

The first phase of the scheme, launched in August 2005, funded 46 world class research projects and a further 37 projects have been funded in the first two calls of Phase 2. See details of the research funded by the scheme.

Applications

To apply, see the step by step application guidance and instructions.

The deadline for applications is 16.00 on 27 September 2011.

Applications are invited for projects with a fEC value of between £100,000 and £500,000.

This scheme is open to UK and non-UK researchers based in higher education institutions, research organisations and organisations with a credible research capacity.

International Collaboration and Partnerships

The scheme encourages international and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance research and poverty alleviation outcomes. A Partnership Brokering facility (hosted by UKCDS) is now available where individuals can register their research interests and search for potential research partners.

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) (external website). It is essential to allow sufficient time to secure Je-S registration. To register or access the electronic application system go to the Je-S web site.

Research Grant application workshop – July 2011, New Delhi

RCUK India and DFID South Asia Research Hub (SARH) co-organised a training workshop for South-Asian social scientists on 22 and 23 July 2011 in New Delhi, India, on behalf of ESRC and DFID. The workshop was a training opportunity for mid-career social scientists from India, Pakistan and Nepal in writing successful research grant applications, research management, impact and dissemination. Information, presentations and handouts from the workshop are available on the RCUK India website.

Contact

Please send email queries to dfid@esrc.ac.uk or contact:

  • Nicola Dyer, ESRC
    Telephone: +44 (0) 1793 413165