Deadline: 4 September 2018
NWO-WOTRO has launched a second call for proposals in the Assumptions programme to scrutinize the Theory of Change of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ CSO policy framework ‘Dialogue and Dissent’ in LMICs. This second call focuses on theme 3, ‘Civic space under pressure’ and is open to research consortia from around the world.
The call aims to fund research projects that strengthen the evidence-base of the policy framework Dialogue and Dissent. It calls on scientists to submit research proposals that scrutinise specific articulated assumptions of the Theory of Change underlying the policy framework using primarily qualitative scientific methodologies. Focus of this second call is exclusively on theme 3: Civic space under pressure.
Objectives
Each research project should contribute to two objectives:
- Generating new, evidence-based knowledge on the assumptions of the ToC underlying the Dialogue and Dissent framework;
- Making this knowledge accessible, available and applicable to policymakers and CSOs in the Netherlands and in LLMICs.
Grant Information
For each research project of a duration of 6-9 months, a maximum budget of 0.2 million euros will be available. Applicants can budget only for costs that directly attribute to the project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications can be submitted by consortia consisting of research organisations located in the LLMIC(s) in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia or Latin America where the project/programme that is subject of the empirical research is implemented and, possibly, one or more research organisations based in any country.
- Eligible projects include research in at least two LLMICs across continents. Countries studied in projects funded in the first call are not eligible (Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Ukraine). It is not compulsory to include a research organisation in the Netherlands.
- The main applicant should hold a senior position at a research organisation. Together, the consortium members will e.g. formulate relevant research questions and approaches, conduct the project activities, coordinate knowledge sharing with a broader group of (local) knowledge users and take responsibility for reporting adequately and timely in accordance with the terms and conditions.
Criteria
All eligible applications will be evaluated according to two main criteria (for elaborate criteria description:
- Scientific quality:
- Validity of the conceptual framework;
- Quality of the comparative design and of integration/synthesis;
- Originality;
- Demonstrable and complementary quality of (relevant) expertise of the main- and co-applicants, research staff;
- Policy relevance:
- The extent to which the project proposal addresses the assumptions of theme 3 in the ToC of the Dialogue and Dissent framework;
- Proven ability to translate research findings into useful policy messages/advices;
- Feasibility of the work plan.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
For more information, please visit NWO-WOTRO.