Deadline: 9-Jul-25
LIRNEasia has announced a call for proposals aimed at supporting gender-responsive, solution-oriented, and policy-relevant applied research. This research initiative is focused on shaping a sustainable and inclusive future of work across Asia.
The call specifically targets low- and lower-middle-income countries in the region, with the goal of generating actionable insights that can inform policies and practices.
This is the second call for proposals under this program, and it emphasizes the importance of understanding which solutions and policies have worked, in what contexts, and why.
The intention is to promote research that can directly contribute to decision-making, thereby influencing tangible change across different national and regional environments.
The objectives of this call are threefold. First, it aims to support the design and production of high-quality, innovative research that addresses the challenges and opportunities of the evolving world of work.
The research must be gender-responsive and relevant to current policy needs. It should examine how emerging megatrends such as digital technology, climate change, and demographic shifts are disrupting work ecosystems, and how these changes intersect—particularly in relation to skill development, decent work, and social protection.
Second, the initiative seeks to contribute meaningfully to ongoing policy dialogues at the national, regional, and international levels. Researchers are encouraged to engage with stakeholders including national innovation and education systems, policymakers, technology platforms, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other influential actors.
Third, this call aims to help LIRNEasia build a strong network of research partners who are collaboratively focused on policies and skills development to support future workforces, particularly in lower-income Asian countries.
LIRNEasia is offering funding for two types of research grants. The first category includes single or multi-country research grants ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 100,000.
These grants are available for 12 to 18 months. Projects exceeding USD 40,000 are expected to have a broader scope, either covering multiple countries or sectors. Smaller grants below USD 40,000 are intended for more focused studies within a single country or sector.
The second category involves large dataset acquisition and data wrangling grants. These are structured in two parts: an initial amount of USD 10,000 is provided to identify and secure the required dataset(s), followed by a potential second installment of up to USD 40,000.
The continuation of funding is contingent upon successful data acquisition and approval of the research question. The maximum total grant for both stages is USD 50,000, with a combined period not exceeding 18 months.
To be eligible, applicants must have an independent legal identity. They should be able to enter into legal contracts, manage a bank account in their own name, and have the administrative capacity to oversee the proposed project.
Eligible entities may include research institutions, universities, think tanks, associations, civil society groups, and nonprofit organizations.
Projects must align with FutureWORKS Asia’s overarching goal of promoting a sustainable and inclusive future of work. All research outcomes must be made publicly accessible in accordance with IDRC open access guidelines.
Additionally, organizations should demonstrate a strong and proven commitment to making policy impacts, both through their proposed activities and their track record of past successes.
Certain entities are not eligible to apply. These include individuals, private businesses that offer services directly to workers (such as job portals or recruitment agencies), and government bodies—except for public research and educational institutions. UN agencies are also excluded from eligibility under this call.
This funding opportunity presents a vital chance for eligible organizations to contribute to shaping forward-thinking, inclusive employment policies and practices in Asia’s rapidly transforming work environment.
For more information, visit LIRNEasia.
