Call for Research Proposals on Land and Housing in the Arab Region

The Research Innovation Fund 2026, launched by the Arab Land Initiative of UN-Habitat and the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) with Public Works Studio, supports innovative research on land governance and housing challenges across the Arab region. Selected researchers will receive a USD 3,500 research grant to develop evidence-based studies on topics including housing, land rights, climate resilience, digital land systems, and inclusive urban development.

Overview of the Research Innovation Fund

The Research Innovation Fund supports emerging researchers, practitioners, and professionals working on land governance and housing-related issues in Arab countries.

The initiative aims to encourage research that improves understanding of:

Land governance systems.
Housing challenges.
Spatial justice.
Urban transformation.
Land rights and access.
Sustainable development.

The fund promotes research that provides practical insights into how land policies and housing systems affect communities and socio-economic development.

About the Fund Partners

The Research Innovation Fund is launched by:

Arab Land Initiative of UN-Habitat
Global Land Tool Network (GLTN)
Public Works Studio

The initiative receives financial and strategic support from:

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

The programme supports evidence-based research to address land and housing challenges across the Arab region.

Purpose of the Research Innovation Fund

The fund aims to:

Support innovative research on land governance.
Strengthen knowledge about housing and land systems.
Encourage solutions for sustainable urban development.
Promote research addressing social and spatial inequalities.
Support young researchers and practitioners working on land-related issues.

The initiative focuses on how land governance systems influence development outcomes and respond to emerging challenges.

Research Themes Supported

Applicants can propose research related to multiple land and housing topics.

Land Governance in Crisis Contexts

Research areas may include:

Land management during crises.
Housing challenges in conflict-affected areas.
Displacement and land insecurity.
Recovery and reconstruction processes.

Women’s Access to Land and Housing

Projects may explore:

Gender inequalities in land ownership.
Women’s housing rights.
Barriers to accessing land resources.
Gender-responsive land governance.

Land and Housing Markets

Research may focus on:

Housing affordability.
Land market dynamics.
Housing finance systems.
Access to affordable housing.

Rental Housing

Possible topics include:

Rental market regulation.
Housing security for tenants.
Rental housing policies.
Informal rental systems.

Sustainable and Resilient Housing

Research may address:

Climate-resilient housing.
Sustainable construction.
Environmental adaptation.
Green housing solutions.

Land, Food Security, and Climate Justice

Projects may examine:

Agricultural land access.
Climate impacts on land systems.
Food security challenges.
Climate justice approaches.

Social Housing and Inclusive Development

Research may explore:

Social housing models.
Affordable housing programmes.
Inclusive urban development.

Prevention of Forced Evictions

Topics may include:

Eviction prevention strategies.
Housing rights.
Protection of vulnerable communities.

Land Management Tools and Digitalisation

Research areas include:

Land registration systems.
Digital land platforms.
Land administration tools.
Data-based land governance.

Youth and Land Issues

Projects may focus on:

Youth access to land.
Young people’s role in urban development.
Youth-led land initiatives.

Inclusive Urbanisation and Land Administration

Research may cover:

Sustainable urban growth.
Land administration systems.
Urban planning.
Monitoring land governance.

Funding Amount

Selected applicants will receive:

Research Grant: USD 3,500

The payment structure includes:

USD 1,500 after acceptance of the research proposal.
USD 2,000 after submission of the final research paper.

Funding supports research development and completion activities.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is open to:

Students.
Young researchers.
Academics.
Practitioners.
Land professionals.
Housing specialists.
Activists.
Young community organisers.

Applicants should have an interest or experience in:

Land governance.
Housing.
Spatial justice.
Urban development.
Social mobilisation.
Land rights.

Eligible Academic Backgrounds

Eligible students and researchers may come from fields including:

Social sciences.
Urban studies.
Architecture.
Urban planning.
Geography.
Anthropology.
Political science.
Environmental studies.
Law.
Related interdisciplinary fields.

Regional Eligibility

Applicants should conduct research related to:

One or more Arab countries.

Applicants with relevant field experience in Arab-region land and housing projects are encouraged to apply.

Why It Matters

Land governance and housing access directly influence:

Social equality.
Economic opportunities.
Climate resilience.
Urban development.
Community wellbeing.

Research supported through this fund can help:

Improve land policies.
Strengthen housing systems.
Support vulnerable communities.
Promote fair access to land.
Inform sustainable urban planning.

How to Apply

Step 1: Select a Research Topic

Applicants should choose a research theme connected to:

Land governance.
Housing challenges.
Urban development.
Spatial justice.
Related regional issues.

Step 2: Develop Research Proposal Information

Applicants must prepare:

Research title.
Selected research theme.
Geographic focus.
Research outline.
Abstract.
Research objectives.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

Applications must include:

Applicant name.
Academic or professional title.
Nationality.
Country of residence.
Copy of ID card or passport.
Proof of residence in an Arab country if applicable.
Research theme.
Proposed research title.
Geographic scope.
Research outline or table of contents.
Abstract of up to 500 words.
Current CV.
List of publications or research papers, if available.

Step 4: Submit Application

Applicants should submit complete application materials according to the fund requirements.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Common Application Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

Selecting topics unrelated to land governance or housing.
Providing unclear research objectives.
Submitting incomplete documents.
Failing to explain the regional relevance of the research.
Ignoring practical impacts of the research.

Application Tips

A strong application should:

Clearly define the research problem.
Explain the importance of the study.
Connect research with Arab-region challenges.
Use evidence-based approaches.
Highlight potential policy or community impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Research Innovation Fund?

It is a grant programme supporting innovative research on land governance and housing issues across the Arab region.

2. Who manages the fund?

The fund is launched by the Arab Land Initiative of UN-Habitat, GLTN, and Public Works Studio.

3. How much funding is available?

Selected applicants receive a total research grant of USD 3,500.

4. Who can apply?

Students, researchers, academics, practitioners, land professionals, activists, and community organisers working on relevant topics can apply.

5. What research areas are supported?

The fund supports topics such as housing, land rights, climate adaptation, digital land systems, social housing, urbanisation, and land governance.

6. Are only university researchers eligible?

No. Practitioners and community organisers with relevant land or housing experience may also apply.

7. What documents are required?

Applicants must submit personal information, identification documents, research details, an abstract, and a CV or publication record.

Conclusion

The Research Innovation Fund 2026 provides valuable support for researchers and practitioners addressing critical land and housing challenges in the Arab region. By funding innovative and evidence-based research, the programme contributes to better land governance, inclusive housing solutions, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.