Call for Proposals: STEG Small Research Grants (11th Edition)

Deadline: 29-Jun-2026

The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme has launched its 11th Call for Proposals for Small Research Grants to support innovative, policy-relevant research on economic growth and structural transformation in low- and middle-income countries. Grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000 are available for projects examining issues such as labour markets, firms, agriculture, trade, gender, inequality, climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic development, with a strong emphasis on policy impact in low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Program Overview

The STEG Small Research Grants programme supports high-quality academic research that improves understanding of how economies grow, transform, and create sustainable development opportunities.

The initiative funds research that investigates the drivers, barriers, and consequences of structural transformation—the process through which economies shift resources from lower-productivity activities to higher-productivity sectors, leading to long-term economic growth and improved living standards.

The program prioritizes research that generates actionable evidence for policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders working to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Grant Details

• Program: STEG 11th Call for Proposals – Small Research Grants
• Grant Size: £10,000 to £25,000
• Funding Type: Research Grant
• Eligible Applicants: Researchers worldwide
• Research Focus: Structural transformation and economic growth
• Geographic Focus: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
• Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Collaboration: Encouraged, particularly across countries with different income levels

Key Research Themes

The program supports research across a broad range of development economics and growth-related topics.

Structural Transformation and Economic Growth

Research may examine:

• Economic development pathways
• Productivity growth
• Industrialization
• Economic diversification
• Long-term growth trajectories
• Sectoral transformation

Firms and Private Sector Development

Topics may include:

• Business productivity
• Firm dynamics
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation systems
• SME development
• Industrial competitiveness

Labour Markets and Employment

Research areas include:

• Labour force participation
• Job creation
• Skills development
• Informal employment
• Youth employment
• Labour market transitions

Agriculture and Rural Transformation

Supported topics include:

• Agricultural productivity
• Rural development
• Agricultural commercialization
• Food systems transformation
• Agricultural value chains

Trade and Global Integration

Projects may explore:

• International trade
• Export diversification
• Global value chains
• Trade policy
• Market integration

Public Policy and Economic Development

Research may assess:

• Economic policy effectiveness
• Institutional development
• Governance
• Development strategies
• Public sector interventions

Priority Cross-Cutting Themes

The program places special emphasis on three cross-cutting development challenges.

Gender and Inclusion

STEG encourages research examining:

• Women’s labour force participation
• Gender inequality
• Barriers to economic participation
• Social norms affecting employment
• Economic empowerment of women
• Inclusive growth strategies

Particular interest is given to research investigating how policies, institutions, and social norms influence women’s participation in economic transformation.

Climate Change and the Environment

Research may focus on:

• Climate adaptation
• Environmental sustainability
• Green growth
• Climate-related economic risks
• Sustainable development pathways
• Environmental policy impacts

Inequality and Inclusion

Projects may explore:

• Income inequality
• Regional disparities
• Social inclusion
• Poverty reduction
• Equitable growth
• Distributional impacts of development policies

Special Priority Areas for the 11th Call

Data Collection and Dataset Development

Special consideration will be given to projects involving:

• Data collection
• Dataset harmonization
• Data curation
• Panel datasets
• Cross-sectional datasets
• Macroeconomic databases

The program seeks to strengthen the availability and quality of data that can support future research and policymaking.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

The call welcomes research on:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Advanced automation
• Future of work
• Labour market disruption
• Productivity impacts
• Technological change

Projects should be grounded in:

• Empirical evidence
• Quantitative analysis
• Economic modelling
• Theoretical frameworks

Research Affected by Aid Reductions

Projects that have experienced disruptions due to reductions in development assistance funding may also receive consideration, particularly where grant support can help complete important research activities.

What is Structural Transformation?

Structural transformation refers to the long-term process through which economies shift labour, capital, and resources from low-productivity sectors, such as subsistence agriculture, toward higher-productivity sectors, including manufacturing and modern services.

Key characteristics include:

• Rising productivity
• Industrial development
• Urbanization
• Employment transitions
• Economic diversification
• Income growth

Understanding structural transformation is critical for designing policies that promote sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

Funding Coverage

Small Research Grants may support:

• Research assistance
• Data collection
• Data acquisition and purchase
• Research stipends
• Teaching buyouts
• Fieldwork expenses
• Travel to research sites
• Stakeholder engagement activities
• Policy dissemination activities

Funding is intended to facilitate rigorous research and strengthen engagement with policymakers and local stakeholders.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to researchers worldwide.

Eligible applicants generally include:

• Researchers holding a PhD
• Academics employed by universities
• Researchers affiliated with research institutions
• Doctoral (PhD) candidates
• Development economists
• Policy researchers

Exceptional cases involving applicants without a PhD may also be considered.

Preferred Applicants

The program particularly encourages:

• Researchers working on low-income country challenges
• Scholars focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa
• Interdisciplinary researchers
• Early-career and established researchers
• International research collaborations
• Partnerships between researchers from different income-level countries

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are likely to be assessed based on:

• Research quality
• Innovation and originality
• Methodological rigor
• Policy relevance
• Feasibility
• Expected impact
• Contribution to knowledge
• Relevance to low-income countries

A major evaluation factor is the project’s potential to inform policy and development outcomes.

How to Apply

Step 1: Identify a Research Question

Develop a clear and policy-relevant research question related to structural transformation and economic growth.

Step 2: Align with STEG Priorities

Ensure the proposed research fits one or more of the program’s thematic areas and addresses issues relevant to low- and middle-income countries.

Step 3: Develop a Research Methodology

Prepare a detailed plan outlining:

• Research design
• Data sources
• Analytical methods
• Expected outcomes
• Policy implications

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Create a realistic budget explaining how grant funds will be used for research activities.

Step 5: Demonstrate Policy Relevance

Clearly explain how findings can inform economic development policies and decision-making.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete and submit the application according to STEG guidelines and deadlines.

Why This Grant Matters

The STEG Small Research Grants program helps generate evidence that can influence economic policy and development strategies in countries facing major growth challenges.

The initiative is important because it:

• Supports evidence-based policymaking.
• Advances understanding of economic growth.
• Encourages innovative development research.
• Strengthens research capacity globally.
• Promotes inclusive and sustainable growth.
• Improves understanding of labour market transitions.
• Generates new datasets and research resources.
• Supports solutions to pressing development challenges.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on a clearly defined research question.
• Demonstrate strong policy relevance.
• Explain expected development impact.
• Use rigorous and appropriate methodologies.
• Highlight innovation and originality.
• Show feasibility within the proposed budget.
• Address cross-cutting themes where relevant.
• Include plans for dissemination and policy engagement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing overly broad research questions.
• Failing to demonstrate policy relevance.
• Submitting weak methodological frameworks.
• Providing unrealistic budgets.
• Ignoring local development contexts.
• Failing to explain expected impact.
• Presenting insufficient evidence of feasibility.
• Neglecting stakeholder engagement opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the STEG Small Research Grants Program?

It is a funding initiative that supports research on structural transformation, economic growth, labour markets, firms, trade, agriculture, and related development topics in low- and middle-income countries.

How much funding is available?

Grants range from £10,000 to £25,000 per project.

Who can apply?

Researchers worldwide may apply. Principal investigators are generally expected to hold a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD program, although exceptional cases may also be considered.

What topics are prioritized?

Priority areas include structural transformation, economic growth, labour markets, gender, inequality, climate change, AI and automation, data collection, and development policy.

Is Sub-Saharan Africa a priority region?

Yes. Projects addressing challenges in low-income countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, are strongly encouraged.

Can collaborative proposals be submitted?

Yes. Collaborative projects involving researchers from different countries and income groups are encouraged.

What expenses can the grant cover?

Funding may support research assistance, data collection, data purchase, stipends, teaching buyouts, travel, fieldwork, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Conclusion

The STEG 11th Call for Proposals offers valuable funding opportunities for researchers seeking to advance knowledge on structural transformation and economic growth in low- and middle-income countries. By supporting innovative, policy-oriented research on issues such as labour markets, gender inclusion, climate change, artificial intelligence, and economic development, the program contributes to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable growth. With grants of up to £25,000 and a strong focus on development impact, the initiative provides an important platform for researchers working to address some of the world’s most pressing economic challenges.

For more information, visit STEG.