Deadline: 17-Sep-2025
XCEPT has announced a call for concept notes to commission research on policy and programme interventions in conflict-affected borderlands, with the aim of generating actionable insights to address challenges related to conflict economies.
The focus is on examining policy and programme interventions in conflict-affected borderlands, with particular attention to the ways licit and illicit economic activity intersects with conflict and governance. The call highlights policies, tools, or initiatives designed to address these intersections, aspects of stabilisation and security interventions including cross-border security cooperation and peace operations, as well as governance or livelihood policies and interventions such as anti-corruption initiatives and alternative livelihoods programming. The geographic scope covers the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Coastal West Africa and the Sahel, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Myanmar, with consideration also given to comparative or other regions.
Through this opportunity, XCEPT will support the development of four to eight research projects, each with funding available depending on the scale and scope of research. Applicants are encouraged to align their budget with the project’s ambition, with indicative funding brackets as follows: up to £15,000 for desk-based research papers primarily drawing on existing literature and remote interviews; £15,000–£40,000 for projects with field data collection through interviews, surveys, or case studies; £40,000–£80,000 for more extensive field data collection across multiple sites or countries; and £80,000–£120,000 for portfolios of research activities that include mixed methods, comparative case studies, or more complex interventions. Concept notes should provide clear justification for higher budgets in relation to their contribution to XCEPT’s objectives, scholarship, and policy.
Applications are open to individuals and organisations, with particular encouragement for Global South researchers and institutions to lead or participate meaningfully in projects. Proposals from consortia, partnerships, or networks are also welcome. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to manage funds, ethical compliance, safeguarding, and risk management.
The application process involves two stages: an initial concept note, followed by a full project proposal for shortlisted applicants. Concept notes must include the research idea, methodology, expected outputs, research team details, and a summary budget. Selected projects are expected to produce high-quality research papers, policy-focused outputs such as briefing notes and presentations, and public-facing content like blogs, podcasts, or videos.
The deadline for submission of concept notes is 17 September 2025, with shortlisted applicants to be invited to submit full project proposals in October. Successful projects will commence in December 2025.
For more information, visit XCEPT.
