Deadline: 31-Aug-2025
The Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) programme is inviting applications from researchers based in low-income countries (LICs) for the fifth special Exploratory Research Grant (ERG) call.
The ERG programme is designed to support research focused on private enterprise development in LICs, specifically encouraging submissions from LIC-based researchers. Since its launch, the ERG programme has funded over 320 research projects, many of which were conducted by researchers residing in LICs.
PEDL’s research agenda aims to explore the factors influencing the strength of market forces that drive economic efficiency in LICs. Research shows that the private sector in these countries faces overlapping constraints. PEDL is seeking research that investigates how these various barriers interact.
The programme funds high-quality, policy-relevant research that can contribute to academic scholarship and inform policy discussions in LICs. Proposals related to all areas of private sector development are welcome, with particular focus on three key themes: Innovation, Organisations and Markets; Climate and Environment; and Finance and Entrepreneurship.
Funding can support various research expenses, including data collection, fieldwork, travel, stipends, and research assistance. Under the Finance and Entrepreneurship theme, PEDL is particularly interested in topics such as alternative SME financing, venture capital and private equity strategies, fintech innovations, open banking, and climate finance for SMEs.
PEDL also welcomes research proposals that address fragile and conflict-affected states, gender issues, or the translation of research findings into policy.
Exploratory Research Grants range from £10,000 to £40,000 and must be completed within 12 months. However, the grant does not cover costs such as administrative overheads, taxes, interest, exchange losses, excessive spending, or recruitment expenses.
This special call is exclusively open to researchers based in LICs to broaden participation in the ERG programme and strengthen research capacity in these countries.
For more information, visit PEDL.