Call for Funding Proposals: Economics of Climate Change Adaptation in Africa

The Raising Adaptation Impact and Ambition (RAIA) initiative is inviting proposals from African research institutions to conduct policy-relevant research on the economics of climate change adaptation. The program will fund 10–12 projects within a total envelope of US$80,000–US$120,000, focusing on national financial planning, adaptation finance integration, and inclusive climate policy. Projects must demonstrate collaboration with Ministries of Finance and address gender equality, social inclusion, and distributional impacts.

Raising Adaptation Impact and Ambition (RAIA) is a competitive research funding initiative designed to strengthen the economic case for climate change adaptation in Africa.

The program supports applied, policy-focused research that helps governments:

• Integrate climate adaptation into national financial planning

• Improve tracking and allocation of adaptation finance

• Strengthen fiscal systems for climate resilience

• Address social and gender inequalities in adaptation policy

RAIA targets research that directly informs national decision-making and public finance reforms.

Funding Overview

Total Funding Envelope

• US$80,000 to US$120,000

• Distributed across 10–12 selected projects

Payment Structure

Funds are disbursed in three instalments, linked to approved deliverables.

Project Duration

• Up to 14 months

• Structured around defined milestones and outputs

Funding is competitive and based on quality, policy relevance, and methodological rigor.

Research Focus Areas

Proposals must address at least one of the following thematic areas:

1. Country-Level Economic Analysis

• Identify barriers to embedding climate adaptation into national financial systems

• Assess differentiated economic challenges within specific African contexts

• Provide actionable fiscal policy recommendations

2. Integration of Adaptation into Financial Flows

• Strengthen alignment between adaptation goals and public expenditure

• Develop tools to track adaptation finance in national budgets

• Improve valuation methodologies for adaptation investments

3. Research Capacity Building

• Pair Principal Investigators (PIs) with early-career researchers

• Build expertise in climate adaptation economics

• Promote knowledge transfer and institutional capacity

Scope of Supported Research

Funded research is expected to:

• Quantify economic costs of climate impacts

• Evaluate adaptation investment options

• Assess financial, regulatory, and market-based instruments

• Improve tracking, allocation, and valuation of adaptation finance

All research must integrate:

• Distributional impact analysis

• Gender equality considerations

• Social inclusion frameworks

These elements are mandatory core analytical dimensions, not optional additions.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered and based in an African country

• Have demonstrated expertise in climate adaptation and economic policy research

Eligible institutions include:

• Universities

• Academic institutions

• Policy or economic research institutions

• Parastatal bodies

• Think tanks

• Independent research entities

Individual applicants must apply through eligible institutions.

Proposal Requirements

Each proposal must:

• Identify a clearly defined research gap

• Link research objectives to inclusive adaptation policy

• Demonstrate a pathway to policy implementation

• Show established collaboration with a Ministry of Finance or equivalent national finance authority

• Align outputs with program delivery timelines

Government engagement is a critical eligibility and evaluation factor.

Team Composition Requirements

Project teams must include expertise in:

• Economics

• Climate science or climate adaptation

• Socio-economic or adaptation policy

Additional expectations:

• Inclusion of early-career researchers

• Attention to gender balance

• Demonstrated interdisciplinary collaboration

Final selections will ensure balanced geographic and thematic representation.

Deliverables and Outputs

Successful projects must produce a structured sequence of outputs over 14 months, including:

1. Inception report

2. Detailed research outlines

3. Presentation of preliminary findings

4. Multiple draft research outputs

5. Final validated research product

   • Annexed models

   • Databases

6. Policy briefs

7. Draft academic manuscripts

Outputs must be suitable for both policy and academic audiences.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Institutional Eligibility

Ensure your institution is:

• Legally registered in Africa

• Experienced in climate adaptation and economic research

Step 2: Define a Policy-Relevant Research Gap

Identify:

• National financial planning challenges

• Barriers to adaptation integration

• Gaps in adaptation finance tracking

Clearly link the research to inclusive adaptation outcomes.

Step 3: Establish Government Collaboration

Secure engagement with:

• Ministry of Finance

• National finance authority

• Relevant fiscal policy department

Provide evidence of collaboration in the proposal.

Step 4: Build a Multidisciplinary Team

Include:

• Economist(s)

• Climate adaptation expert(s)

• Policy or socio-economic specialist(s)

• Early-career researcher(s)

Ensure gender balance and complementary skills.

Step 5: Develop Methodology and Work Plan

Provide:

• Clear research design

• Timeline aligned with 14-month delivery

• Budget justification

• Stakeholder engagement plan

Step 6: Submit via Online Application Portal

Applications must be submitted through the designated online form before the stated deadline.

The process includes:

• Proposal submission

• Evaluation

• Notification

• Due diligence

• Contracting

• Orientation workshop for selected grantees

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are assessed based on:

• Methodological robustness

• Innovation and novelty

• Potential for policy impact

• Government engagement strength

• Stakeholder co-creation

• Gender equality and social inclusion integration

• Team expertise and composition

Portfolio balance across geography and themes will also influence final selection.

Complementary proposals may be merged where appropriate.

Why This Initiative Matters

Climate change poses significant economic risks across Africa, including:

• Increased fiscal pressure

• Infrastructure losses

• Agricultural productivity decline

• Social vulnerability

RAIA strengthens the economic evidence base needed to:

• Inform national climate adaptation strategies

• Improve fiscal resilience

• Enhance adaptation finance transparency

• Promote inclusive climate policy

By focusing on public finance systems and policy implementation, the initiative bridges research and real-world government action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate Ministry of Finance collaboration

• Proposing purely academic research without policy pathway

• Ignoring gender equality and social inclusion analysis

• Submitting weak or generic methodologies

• Overlooking timeline feasibility

• Lacking interdisciplinary expertise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many projects will be funded?

Approximately 10 to 12 projects will be selected.

2. What is the total funding available?

The overall funding envelope is between US$80,000 and US$120,000, distributed across selected projects.

3. Can individual researchers apply independently?

No. Applications must be submitted through eligible, legally registered institutions based in Africa.

4. Is collaboration with government mandatory?

Yes. Proposals must demonstrate established collaboration with a Ministry of Finance or equivalent authority.

5. How long can projects run?

Projects may run for up to 14 months.

6. Are gender and social inclusion components optional?

No. Distributional impacts, gender equality, and social inclusion must be core analytical components.

7. What types of outputs are required?

Deliverables include research reports, validated models and databases, policy briefs, and draft manuscripts.

Conclusion

The Raising Adaptation Impact and Ambition initiative provides strategic funding for African research institutions to strengthen the economics of climate adaptation and improve national financial planning systems.

By supporting policy-linked, inclusive, and methodologically rigorous research, the program aims to enhance adaptation finance integration and drive evidence-based climate action across Africa. Institutions with strong government partnerships and interdisciplinary expertise are encouraged to apply and contribute to building fiscally resilient and inclusive adaptation systems.