CFPs: Second Call for PhD Research Grant Program

The ReCIPE Programme’s second Call for PhD Research Grants offers up to £15,000 to support doctoral research examining the links between economic performance, public policy, and conflict. The call prioritises policy-relevant, multidisciplinary research aligned with peacebuilding and development challenges in low- and middle-income countries.

Programme Overview

The Reducing Conflict and Improving Performance in the Economy (ReCIPE) Programme invites applications for its second Call for PhD Research Grants. The programme supports high-quality doctoral research that advances understanding of how economic growth, or the lack of it, interacts with conflict, fragility, and peace, with a strong emphasis on policy relevance in low- and middle-income countries.

Research Themes

Proposals must align with one or more of the programme’s priority themes. These include public policies for peace; private and public investment and peace; institutions, democracy and peace; geoeconomics; climate change, natural resources and conflict; information and conflict, including social media, public opinion, big data and forecasting; ethnic diversity and nation-building; peacemaking, peacebuilding and reconstruction; and gender inequality and conflict.

Funding Amount and Duration

PhD Research Grants of up to £15,000 are available. All funded projects must be completed within 12 months. Grants are intended to support well-defined, policy-relevant doctoral research that can be completed within this timeframe.

What the Grant Can Be Used For

Grant funds may be used for research assistance, data collection or data purchase, stipends, and travel to field sites. Travel and fieldwork are eligible even when secondary data is used, provided the activities are clearly justified and cost-effective. Stipends are designed to reduce teaching or administrative duties and are capped based on the income classification of the country where the PhD programme is based. All budget items must be fully itemised and justified.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is limited exclusively to PhD students who are currently enrolled in a doctoral programme at the time of application. Applicants may be based anywhere in the world. Proposals involving researchers based at Russian institutions are not eligible due to current sanctions.

Supervisor Support Requirement

All applicants must submit a letter of support from their PhD supervisor. This letter must be provided within two weeks after the application deadline and is a mandatory requirement for the application to be considered complete.

Policy Focus and Geographic Scope

Strong emphasis is placed on policy relevance for ReCIPE Focus Countries. Proposals focused on other countries must clearly demonstrate how the research findings will inform policy debates in at least one ReCIPE Focus Country. Applications are particularly encouraged where they involve collaboration between researchers from lower- and higher-income countries.

Research Design and Ethics

Projects involving in-country research in conflict or post-conflict settings must address feasibility, security considerations, ethical approval, and contingency plans for potential delays or restrictions. Proposals should demonstrate awareness of risks and practical strategies to manage them.

Reporting and Outputs

All funded projects are subject to a structured reporting process. This includes interim and final narrative reports, financial documentation, and the submission of a policy-oriented research brief and a working paper. Outputs are expected to contribute both to academic debates and to policy dialogue.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Proposals are assessed based on research quality and originality, policy relevance, feasibility within the proposed timeline, value for money, and their contribution to expanding knowledge at the intersection of economic growth, conflict, and public policy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applications are often weakened by unclear links to the economic growth and public policy literature, insufficient policy relevance for ReCIPE Focus Countries, unrealistic timelines, or poorly justified budgets. Failure to submit the supervisor support letter within the required timeframe will result in disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for these grants?
Only currently enrolled PhD students are eligible to apply.
What is the maximum grant amount?
The maximum funding available per project is £15,000.
Can the grant fund stipends?
Yes. Stipends are allowed to reduce teaching or administrative duties, subject to country-based caps.
Are international collaborations allowed?
Yes. Collaborations are encouraged, especially between researchers from lower- and higher-income countries.
Are projects outside ReCIPE Focus Countries eligible?
Yes, but they must clearly demonstrate policy relevance for at least one ReCIPE Focus Country.
How long can the project run?
All funded projects must be completed within 12 months.

Conclusion

The ReCIPE PhD Research Grants provide targeted support for doctoral researchers examining the complex links between economic performance, conflict, and peace. By prioritising policy relevance, methodological rigour, and feasibility, the programme aims to generate research that informs real-world decision-making in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.