Deadline: 10 March 2017
The United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is seeking concept notes for PRM Humanitarian Research.
Concept notes must respond to one of the following research questions:
- Financial Inclusion for Refugees: What financial tools are most effective at different stages of humanitarian assistance for refugee populations? What tools are most sustainable? We are interested in proposals that explore whether and to what extent cash assistance implemented through inclusion of refugees in financial services, such as local banking institutions and mobile money networks or other digital financial services have had positive effects on local economies and may reduce hostility toward refugee populations. Research sites must include low-income countries and avoid locations where this topic has recently been studied.
- Statelessness: What is the impact of statelessness on development, particularly economic development? The research should compare economic data from a developing country (or countries) hosting significant stateless populations with a developing country (or countries) that have recently resolved major situations of statelessness. While economic data is a priority, data from the UN Development Program’s Human Development Index or other measures is welcome. The research should yield information to help understand how international assistance can better include these often hidden populations and inform methods for resolving statelessness. Nepal should be included as a research focus country.
- Other: Applicants may submit a research concept note on a compelling humanitarian research topic not covered in the list above.
Funding Information
- Summary budgets must not be less than $200,000 and not more than $300,000 or they will be disqualified.
- Concept notes for 24months will be considered.
Population and Area-specific Provisions
- Concept notes must propose research relevant to specific PRM populations of concern. For the purposes of this call for concept notes, this includes refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons and vulnerable migrants.
- PRM will not review proposals for domestic research on U.S.-based assistance activities. Concept notes should propose humanitarian research to be conducted overseas.
- Due to multiple ongoing PRM research and evaluation projects in Ukraine and Kenya, PRM will give preference to concept notes not proposing these countries as a research sites.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education;
- Private institutions of higher education; and
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Most competitive concept notes will include multiple countries and/or populations. PRM will only accept single country or single population concept notes if a compelling case can be made that conclusions can be applied beyond the specific country or population. For example, a research project focused on Syrian refugees, even in multiple countries, may not be generalizable.
- PRM will prioritize funding research projects that aim to produce practical policy or programmatic recommendations that are applicable to more than one specific population or country. All final reports should include tools, data, findings, and recommendations for policy and program implementation. Research should produce recommendations that are concrete, actionable, and directed to specific actors.
- Proposed concept notes should build on previous bodies of work and advance the knowledge base on global humanitarian policies and programs. PRM understands the full research team may not be known during the drafting of the concept note. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants will then identify all individuals who would conduct the research, describe their qualifications, and include their CVs/résumés.
- Selected organizations will be required to complete a gender analysis at the full proposal development stage. A gender analysis is a requirement prior to PRM making a final funding award.
- PRM will accept concept notes from any eligible organization working in the above mentioned areas of research; although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to concept notes from organizations that can demonstrate:
- a proven track record in conducting research both in the topic area and specified location;
- realistic timeline and strong dissemination plan. Organizations invited to submit full proposals will be required to include a detailed dissemination plan. PRM expects at least 6 months of the research timeframe will be devoted to dissemination of findings.
- evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other NGOs working in the same area or research topic as well as – where possible – local authorities;
- a working relationship with UNHCR;
- an emphasis on the outcomeor impact of research. Full objective and indicator tables will only be required if the applicant is invited to submit a full proposal; however, the concept note must generally demonstrate the ability to deliver impact;
- where applicable, adherence to PRM’s Principles for Refugee Protection in Urban Areas.
- an understanding of and sensitivity to conflict dynamics in the project location; and
- a rigorous methodology. To that end, PRM encourages collaboration between operational NGOs and methodologists from academia or research institutes.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can access the application package via given website.
For more information, please visit PRM Humanitarian Research.
