Deadline: 05-Jun-2026
The Gender and Learning Evidence Fund is a research funding initiative designed to strengthen evidence on how gender and education (learning outcomes) interact in real-world contexts.
It supports implementation research, meaning studies that test and refine educational programs in practical, real-life environments rather than controlled experiments.
Core Purpose
- Integrate gender and learning research
- Improve education outcomes and life trajectories
- Strengthen evidence-based education policy
- Address inequality in education systems
- Generate actionable insights for governments and NGOs
Key Focus Areas
The fund prioritizes research at the intersection of gender and education systems.
1. Gender and Learning Integration
- How gender influences access to education
- How learning outcomes differ across genders
- How combined interventions improve equity
2. Learning Outcomes and Life Impact
- Education’s role in:
- Employment opportunities
- Health outcomes
- Economic empowerment
- Decision-making capacity
3. Transition Points in Education
Critical stages where disparities increase:
- Lower primary → upper primary transition
- Primary → secondary transition
4. Evidence Generation
- Real-world program evaluation
- Data-driven education improvements
- Practical policy insights
Why the Fund Exists (Problem Context)
Key Evidence-Based Challenge
- Gender and learning programs are often designed separately
- They use different funding systems and evaluation methods
- This separation limits understanding of how both interact
Observed Educational Pattern
- Girls often perform equally or better in early primary education
- Gaps widen during later schooling stages
- Long-term disparities appear in adulthood:
- Employment inequality
- Health differences
- Reduced decision-making power
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Registered organizations (not individuals)
- Operating in selected Sub-Saharan African countries
- Already implementing education or gender-related programs
Program Requirements
Applicants must already work on:
- Gender-focused programs, OR
- Education/learning programs, OR
- Integrated gender + learning initiatives
Target Beneficiaries
Projects must focus on:
- In-school learners
- Especially students in transition stages:
- Lower primary school students
- Upper primary students
- Primary-to-secondary transition learners
These stages are critical because gender disparities often increase during this period.
Types of Funded Projects
The fund supports two main categories of implementation research:
1. Program Integration Projects
These projects add new elements to existing programs, such as:
- Adding learning interventions to gender programs
- Introducing gender-responsive teaching methods in education programs
- Combining both gender and learning strategies
2. Measurement Improvement Projects
These projects enhance how outcomes are measured:
- Tracking both gender and learning outcomes together
- Improving data systems and evaluation tools
- Understanding how gender affects learning results
Funding Details
Grant Size
- Up to $250,000 per grantee
Duration
- Up to 24 months
Funding Use
Primarily supports:
- Implementation research
- Program evaluation
- Data collection and analysis
- Field-based experimentation
Additional Support Provided
Selected grantees also receive non-financial support:
1. Technical Assistance
- Research design support
- Data analysis guidance
- Policy translation support
2. Peer Learning
- Collaboration with other funded organizations
- Knowledge-sharing sessions
3. Communication Support
- Assistance in sharing findings
- Policy and research dissemination
4. Tools and Resources
- Access to research frameworks
- Measurement and evaluation tools
How the Fund Works (Step-by-Step)
1. Call for Proposals
Organizations submit research proposals aligned with fund priorities.
2. Proposal Evaluation
Applications are assessed based on:
- Relevance to gender + learning integration
- Research quality
- Practical implementation design
- Potential for real-world impact
3. Selection of Grantees
Selected organizations receive funding and support packages.
4. Implementation Phase
- Projects are executed in real education settings
- Data is collected on gender and learning outcomes
5. Evidence Generation
- Findings are analyzed
- Insights are developed for policy and practice
6. Knowledge Sharing
Results are shared with global education stakeholders.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
Key Success Factors
- Clear integration of gender and learning
- Strong implementation research design
- Focus on transition-stage students
- Practical, real-world applicability
- Strong measurement strategy for both gender and learning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Treating Gender and Learning Separately
Proposals must integrate both, not treat them as independent areas.
2. Weak Measurement Design
Lack of clear indicators for gender + learning reduces competitiveness.
3. Theoretical Only Approaches
The fund prioritizes real-world implementation, not purely academic studies.
4. Unclear Target Group
Projects must clearly define student groups, especially transition stages.
5. Limited Practical Application
Findings must be usable for policy or program improvement.
Why This Fund Matters
1. Improves Education Equity
Helps reduce gender-based disparities in learning outcomes.
2. Strengthens Evidence-Based Policy
Generates actionable insights for governments and NGOs.
3. Bridges Research Gaps
Connects two traditionally separate fields: gender studies and education research.
4. Focuses on Real-World Impact
Prioritizes implementation over theory.
5. Supports Long-Term Development
Improves education outcomes that influence lifelong opportunities.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the Gender and Learning Evidence Fund?
It is a grant program that funds research combining gender and education to improve learning and life outcomes.
2. Who can apply?
Registered organizations working in selected Sub-Saharan African countries that already implement gender or education programs.
3. What is the funding amount?
Each selected project can receive up to $250,000.
4. How long is the funding period?
Projects can run for up to 24 months.
5. What kind of projects are supported?
Projects that integrate gender and learning or improve measurement of both within education programs.
6. Who are the target beneficiaries?
In-school students, especially those transitioning between primary and secondary education.
7. Why is this fund important?
It addresses the gap between gender and learning research and helps improve real-world education outcomes.
Conclusion
The Gender and Learning Evidence Fund is a targeted research initiative designed to improve education systems by integrating gender and learning perspectives. By funding implementation research in real-world school environments, it aims to generate actionable evidence that improves equity, learning outcomes, and long-term life opportunities.
Its core mission is to bridge the gap between gender-focused and education-focused programs, ensuring that future interventions are more effective, inclusive, and evidence-driven.
For more information, visit Brink Foundation.