Deadline: 16-Feb-2026
The Cities Alliance is inviting proposals for an applied research and evidence-generation initiative focused on inclusive urban development and economic inclusion in refugee-hosting secondary cities in Ethiopia. The USD 100,000 grant supports mixed-methods research, stakeholder engagement, and policy-oriented analysis to generate practical, locally grounded recommendations benefiting both refugees and host communities.
Overview of the Call for Proposals
The Cities Alliance is seeking proposals for an applied research initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive urban development and economic inclusion in refugee-hosting secondary cities in Ethiopia.
The initiative focuses on generating robust, policy-relevant evidence on how displacement affects urban labour markets, service access, and local economic systems, and on translating this evidence into actionable recommendations for sustainable urban growth.
Purpose and Strategic Context
This initiative contributes to a broader analytical effort to address data gaps and capacity constraints faced by local governments in displacement-affected cities.
Many refugee-hosting secondary cities in Ethiopia are characterized by strong interconnections between refugee settlements and host communities through shared infrastructure, commuting patterns, and local value chains. The research is designed to inform inclusive urban policies that create joint benefits for both populations.
Key Research Objectives
The funded research is expected to deepen understanding of urban displacement dynamics and support evidence-based policymaking.
Core objectives include analyzing how displacement reshapes urban labour markets, identifying barriers to service access and economic participation, and mapping institutional bottlenecks that limit inclusive development.
The initiative also seeks to identify opportunities for joint-benefit investments that support inclusive growth in refugee-hosting cities.
Scope of Supported Activities
The grant supports a defined set of applied research and engagement activities.
These include the preparation of standardized and comparable city profiles for refugee-hosting secondary cities in Ethiopia.
Projects should undertake mixed-methods data collection, combining quantitative household and enterprise surveys with qualitative research.
In-depth diagnostics are expected in selected cities to assess labour-market dynamics, market integration, service delivery, and institutional readiness.
Stakeholder Engagement and Co-Design
Structured stakeholder engagement is a core component of the initiative.
Applicants are expected to engage local and national government institutions, community representatives, refugee leaders, and private sector actors to validate findings and co-design policy-relevant insights.
This process should ensure that research outputs are grounded in local realities and aligned with national urban development frameworks.
Knowledge Products and Policy Outputs
The initiative emphasizes translation of research into accessible and actionable outputs.
Supported activities include synthesis reports, policy briefs, and other analytical products designed to inform policy dialogue, coordination processes, and the identification of investment-ready projects.
All outputs should support inclusive and sustainable urban development in refugee-hosting contexts.
Funding Amount and Grant Conditions
The total funding available under this Call for Proposals is USD 100,000.
All activities must be implemented in close coordination with Cities Alliance and relevant government counterparts.
Grantees are required to work in line with agreed workplans, timelines, and applicable UNOPS policies and procedures.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit academic and research institutions, including universities.
Applicants must demonstrate experience in applied research related to urban development, migration, displacement, or economic inclusion in Ethiopian secondary cities.
Priority is given to Ethiopian institutions with an established in-country presence, relevant academic expertise, and proven capacity to conduct field-based research and stakeholder engagement.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a proposal outlining their research approach, methodology, city selection, stakeholder engagement strategy, and expected policy outputs.
Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the research will generate comparable, policy-relevant evidence and translate findings into practical recommendations.
Applicants should also describe their institutional capacity, team expertise, and experience working in displacement-affected urban contexts in Ethiopia.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Proposals that focus only on academic analysis without clear policy relevance are unlikely to be competitive.
Applications that lack a strong stakeholder engagement and co-design component may be considered weak.
Failure to demonstrate experience in Ethiopian urban or displacement contexts can significantly reduce the chances of selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main objective of this Cities Alliance grant?
The grant aims to generate applied, policy-relevant evidence to support inclusive urban development and economic inclusion in refugee-hosting secondary cities in Ethiopia.
How much funding is available?
The total funding available under this call is USD 100,000.
What types of research activities are supported?
Supported activities include standardized city profiling, mixed-methods data collection, in-depth urban diagnostics, stakeholder engagement, and the development of policy-oriented analytical outputs.
Who can apply for this funding?
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit academic and research institutions, including universities, with experience in urban development, migration, or displacement research in Ethiopia.
Are Ethiopian institutions prioritized?
Yes. Priority is given to Ethiopian institutions with an established presence, relevant expertise, and the capacity to conduct field-based research and engagement.
Is stakeholder engagement mandatory?
Yes. Structured engagement with government, communities, and private sector actors is a core requirement of the initiative.
How should research findings be used?
Findings should be translated into accessible knowledge products that inform policy dialogue, coordination, and investment planning for inclusive urban development.
Conclusion
This Cities Alliance applied research grant offers a strategic opportunity to generate actionable evidence that supports inclusive urban development in Ethiopia’s refugee-hosting secondary cities.
By combining rigorous research, stakeholder engagement, and policy-focused outputs, the initiative aims to contribute to sustainable urban growth that benefits both refugees and host communities.
For more information, visit Cities Alliance.
