Call for Proposals: Citizen Security Research Initiative

Deadline: 15-Apr-2026

The CSRI invites researchers to submit proposals for projects generating actionable evidence to strengthen justice systems, law enforcement, and community safety. Funding supports pilot studies, full impact evaluations, infrastructure creation, and foundational research, with grants ranging from $75,000 to $400,000.

About the Initiative

The CSRI aims to inform policies and programs that enhance citizen security and strengthen criminal justice systems. The initiative prioritizes research that:

• Counters organized crime

• Combats drug trafficking and production

• Prevents crime and violence

• Strengthens law enforcement and justice institutions

CSRI seeks high-quality, rigorous research to generate evidence that is actionable for policymakers and practitioners.

Types of Funded Projects

CSRI supports research at different stages and scales:

1. Pilot Studies

• Lay groundwork for future full evaluations

• Activities: A/B testing, feasibility studies, refining measurement tools, piloting surveys

• Funding: Up to $75,000

2. Full Impact Evaluation Studies

• Assess causal effects of interventions, programs, or policies

• Require committed implementing partners and rigorous research design

• Funding: Up to $400,000

3. Infrastructure Support and Public Goods Creation

• Build datasets, measurement strategies, or analytical tools for multiple projects

• Support broader research community and policy stakeholders

• Funding: Up to $250,000

4. Foundational and Contextual Research

• Build empirical or conceptual understanding of emerging or understudied issues

• Methods: Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches

• Funding: Up to $75,000

Eligible Costs

Funding covers research-related costs only, including:

• Data collection and analysis

• Dissemination of findings

• Research staff time, including assistants and managers

• Supplemental salary support for principal investigators if institutional salary is insufficient

Ineligible costs: Implementation or operational expenses for interventions, services, or programs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be primarily affiliated with a university

• Hold a PhD or be actively pursuing one

• Have experience conducting field research and applying impact evaluation methods

• In exceptional cases, researchers from recognized non-university research institutions may apply if they meet equivalent academic standards

Implementing Partners: Proposals must include collaboration with civil society organizations, government entities, or multilateral organizations.

Subaward Management: One organization must be designated to receive and manage subaward funds, as CSRI cannot issue subawards directly to individuals.

How to Apply

1. Prepare Proposal: Include research objectives, methodology, data collection plans, analysis approach, and expected policy impact.

2. Identify Implementing Partners: Ensure partners are committed to collaboration and meet institutional requirements.

3. Budget Submission: Include research staff salaries, data collection, and dissemination costs; exclude operational intervention costs.

4. Submit Application: Designate an organization to manage funds and submit according to CSRI guidelines.

5. Evaluation: Applications are assessed on methodological rigor, feasibility, policy relevance, and potential impact.

Why This Initiative Matters

• Generates evidence-based solutions to improve public safety and justice systems.

• Strengthens policy and program design in crime prevention and law enforcement.

• Encourages academic-practitioner collaboration, linking research to real-world implementation.

• Supports the creation of datasets and tools that benefit the broader research community.

Tips for Applicants

• Emphasize rigorous research design and statistical validity.

• Demonstrate relevance to crime prevention, citizen security, or justice systems.

• Include experienced implementing partners with clear roles.

• Ensure the budget aligns strictly with research-related expenses.

• Highlight potential policy and practical impact of the findings.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers affiliated with universities, holding or pursuing a PhD, with experience in field research and impact evaluation methods. Exceptional non-university researchers may apply.

2. What project types are funded?
Pilot studies, full impact evaluations, infrastructure/public goods creation, and foundational/contextual research.

3. What are the funding ranges?
$75,000 for pilot and foundational research, up to $400,000 for full impact evaluations, and up to $250,000 for infrastructure support.

4. Can the grant cover operational intervention costs?
No, funding is restricted to research-related costs only.

5. Are implementing partners required?
Yes, proposals must include civil society, government, or multilateral partners committed to collaboration.

6. Can individuals receive funds directly?
No, a designated organization must manage the subaward.

7. What are the evaluation criteria?
Methodological rigor, feasibility, policy relevance, potential impact, and research team capacity.

Conclusion

The CSRI provides a platform for rigorous, actionable research that strengthens law enforcement, criminal justice systems, and community safety. By funding pilot studies, full evaluations, infrastructure creation, and foundational research, CSRI empowers researchers to generate evidence that informs effective policies, combats crime, and fosters safer communities.

For more information, visit IPA.