Deadline: 31-Dec-2025

SANDEE (under ICIMOD) is offering USD 20,000–30,000 research grants for early-career researchers studying the economics of climate risks, environmental challenges and natural resource use in South Asia and the Hindu Kush Himalaya. The programme supports two-year projects on climate impacts, cryosphere change, disaster risk, nature-based solutions, sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity, policy analysis and transboundary environmental issues. Multidisciplinary and multi-country research is strongly encouraged.

Overview

The South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) at ICIMOD is inviting concept notes from early-career researchers interested in the economic dimensions of environmental and climate challenges in South Asia and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
The programme funds evidence-based research that links economics, environment and sustainable development in fragile mountain and river basin systems.

Grant Amount and Duration

• Funding Range: USD 20,000–30,000

• Project Duration: Up to 2 years

• Higher-value grants are reserved for:

  • Multidisciplinary projects

  • Research spanning two or more countries

  • Studies addressing transboundary environmental issues

Key Research Themes

SANDEE supports work that applies economic analysis to climate and environmental issues in the HKH and South Asia. Major themes include:

1. Economics of Climate and Environmental Risks

• Cryosphere changes and associated risks

• Multi-hazard disaster risk and resilience

• Nature-based solutions (NBS) and financing for disaster risk reduction

• Sustainable river basin management for:

  • Irrigation

  • Drinking water

  • Electricity

  • Water governance

• Air pollution: monitoring, health impacts, communication and policy solutions

2. Resilient Economies and Landscapes

• Climate-resilient mountain livelihoods

• Green and circular economy transitions

• Incentive-based conservation and restoration (PES, subsidies, community incentives)

• Human-wildlife coexistence and conflict mitigation

• Cost-effectiveness of springshed and wetlands management

3. Regional Action and Global Advocacy

• Economic analysis of regional and global climate policies

• Influence of adaptation and mitigation strategies

• Loss and damage economics

• Access and benefit-sharing with Indigenous communities

• Role of NAPs, NDCs, NBSAPs in regional climate finance and climate action

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Early-career researchers

• Research institutions working in South Asia or the HKH

• Teams proposing multidisciplinary or multi-country studies

• Applicants with strong grounding in environmental economics or related fields

Regional Focus

Research must focus on:

• Afghanistan

• Bangladesh

• Bhutan

• India

• Nepal

• Pakistan

• Sri Lanka

• Hindu Kush Himalaya (specific mountain regions)

Why This Funding Matters

This grant supports the generation of policy-relevant knowledge that:

• Strengthens climate adaptation and mitigation

• Improves natural resource management

• Supports resilient mountain and river basin communities

• Bridges the gap between environmental science, economics and policymaking

• Encourages cross-border collaboration in a region facing shared climate risks

How to Apply (Concept Note Stage)

Step 1: Read the Official Call

Review SANDEE’s detailed guidelines to understand thematic priorities and evaluation criteria.

Step 2: Prepare a Concept Note

A strong concept note typically includes:

1. Title and summary of the proposed research

2. Problem statement with clear economic relevance

3. Research questions and hypotheses

4. Justification (Why this issue matters for South Asia/HKH)

5. Methodology (economic/statistical/ecological analysis)

6. Study area and regional relevance

7. Expected outcomes and policy relevance

8. Team expertise and institutional capacity

9. Budget range (20,000–30,000 USD)

10. Timeline (up to 2 years)

Step 3: Submit via the Official Portal or Email

Follow SANDEE’s submission format exactly as instructed in the call.

Step 4: Wait for Shortlisting

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal and may attend proposal development workshops.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly highlight economic analysis — SANDEE prioritizes economics-focused research.

• Demonstrate policy relevance for South Asia or HKH.

• Show how your work supports climate adaptation, mitigation, or natural resource governance.

• For higher funding, emphasize multi-country collaboration or transboundary issues.

• Provide a feasible, rigorous methodology (impact evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, econometric modelling, etc.).

• Explain how your results will support local communities, governments, or regional institutions.

FAQs

1. Who qualifies as an early-career researcher?

Typically researchers within 5–7 years of completing their PhD or in the early stages of their research career. Exact definitions may vary by call.

2. Can master’s students apply?

No, unless they apply through an eligible research institution with an experienced supervisor.

3. Are interdisciplinary projects accepted?

Yes — they are encouraged, especially those combining economics with environmental science, hydrology, ecology or social sciences.

4. Does the project have to involve more than one country?

Not required, but multi-country or transboundary projects may receive higher funding.

5. Is institutional affiliation required?

Yes. Applications must come from researchers or institutions working in South Asia or the HKH region.

6. Can I submit more than one concept note?

No. Typically only one application per researcher is accepted.

7. What types of outputs does SANDEE expect?

Policy briefs, research papers, datasets, modelling results and actionable recommendations for governments or regional bodies.

Conclusion

The SANDEE research grants offer a critical opportunity for early-career researchers to address the economic dimensions of climate, environment and natural resource challenges in South Asia and the HKH. With funding of USD 20,000–30,000 and strong institutional support, this programme enables high-impact, policy-relevant research that contributes to regional sustainability, climate resilience and evidence-based policymaking.

For more information, visit ICIMOD.