International Development Research Fellowships

Deadline: 10 September 2013 (16:00 UK time)
Open to: UK and non-UK researchers based in higher education institutions, research organisations and other organisations
Fellowship: 100% direct costs of research, plus 20-50% of indirect costs of research

Description

As part of the Joint Fund for Poverty Alleviation Research, the Department for International Development and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are calling for new and innovative proposals across 3 new areas of research in the fields of international development and humanitarian assistance.

  1. Urbanisation and Risk in Africa: This research programme will address the evidence gaps around urbanisation and risk in an African context. The programme will map and measure the different dimensions of risk in urban Africa, and will produce policy relevant evidence that can help inform decision-makers in building urban resilience and manage risk and uncertainty. Up to £3.3 million is available for this research programme.
  2. Poverty in Urban Spaces: This research will investigate how urban spaces are changing and what the emerging challenges for tackling urban poverty are. The programme will also consider what interventions can tackle urban poverty at scale in low income countries. Up to £2 million is available for this research programme.
  3. Disability, Inequality and PovertyThis research programme will provide insights into the specific barriers to inclusion facing disabled people in low income countries, such as access to health care, education, social protection and labour market services. The programme will also consider how these barriers can be overcome. Up to £2 million is available for this research programme.

The latest calls are part of an on-going drive to fund high quality multi-disciplinary research that helps reduce poverty. Both funders are committed to commissioning world class research and to making sure the results are made available for decision-makers and practitioners worldwide. It is important that all research funded demonstrates effective demand from, and practical relevance to decision makers, practitioners and communities.

Funding

The scheme will support in full (100 per cent) of all the direct costs of the research. In addition, indirect costs may be charged on staff salary and other staff-related costs (ie statutory contributions analogous to UK National Insurance or Superannuation contributions). Indirect costs may not be charged on non-staff related direct costs, eg equipment, travel and subsistence, consultancies, conferences etc.

Indirect costs cover the following categories of costs: Building and premises costs; Basic services and utilities; Any clerical staff and equipment maintenance or operational costs not already included under other cost headings; Costs of the research organisation’s administration such as personnel, finance, library; and some departmental services.

The following rates for indirect costs should be applied:

  • For applicants from developing countries, the overhead rate is 50 per cent
  • For applicants from developed countries, the overhead rate is 20 per cent
  • A list of developing countries for the purpose of this costing regime is available on the call website.

Further information about funding is AVAILABLE HERE.

Eligibility

All 3 research programmes are open to UK and non-UK researchers based in higher education institutions, research organisations and other organisations with a credible research capacity. Each programme will last for a maximum of 3 years.

Application

The deadline for applications is 16:00 (UK time) on Tuesday, 10 September 2013.

All applications must be submitted in English costed in pounds sterling (£) and made on the official ESRC application form using the Research Councils Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system. Application is via the online Je-S system AVAILABLE HERE.

The application has two elements: an online form comprising a number of structured boxes for key information, and a free text section called ‘Case for Support’ to be completed offline and uploaded as an attachment to the online form, along with a series of other mandatory attachments. The application form will include generic guidance on the completion of the structured boxes and sections of the form. Generic guidance is also available from the Je-S Help screens, which can be found at the top right hand corner of each Je-S screen.

The Case for Support contains the substance of the research application, and it is essential that a coherent exposition of the proposed project is presented addressing the intellectual and academic case, potential for impact on the poverty reduction agenda, any collaboration or partnership configuration, an appropriate management plan and justification for all costs.

You must indicate both in your case for support and in the ‘summary’ section of the form how your proposal relates to one of the three overarching research questions for this call.

Please submit your questions to DFID@esrc.ac.uk or telephone Lauren Watters at +44 (0) 1793 413047 or Lyndy Griffin at +44 (0) 1793 413135. Further information about how to apply can be found at the official website HERE and in the call for applications HERE.

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