Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) invites proposals for the Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant, aimed at supporting outstanding undergraduate students in Sri Lanka to undertake policy-relevant, innovative socio-economic research.
Program Overview
The grant seeks to promote policy entrepreneurship among undergraduate students by encouraging high-quality research that is:
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Relevant to public policy.
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Feasible in design.
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Original in approach.
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Creative in execution.
Selected recipients will gain practical experience and mentorship through a three-month internship at IPS, providing access to senior researchers and institutional resources.
Funding and Support
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Research Grant Amount: Rs. 200,000 (one-time).
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Internship Duration: Three months, flexible structure:
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Fully in-house or hybrid (in-house + online).
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Minimum six weeks in-house participation.
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Additional Support: Funding to present research findings at local conferences and workshops.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be undergraduate students currently in their fourth year or about to enter their fourth year in 2026.
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Be studying economics or a related field at a University Grants Commission-approved university or higher education institution in Sri Lanka.
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Prepare a research proposal aligned with IPS guidelines.
Application and Selection Process
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Proposal Submission: Submit via email to the designated IPS contact before the deadline.
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Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be assessed on:
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Policy relevance.
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Feasibility.
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Originality.
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Creativity.
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Finalist Selection: Three finalists will be invited to present their proposals at IPS.
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Award Decision: The final recipient will be selected based on the presentation and proposal evaluation.
Expected Outcomes
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The grant recipient is required to produce a Policy Discussion Brief within six months of receiving the award.
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Research outputs may be written independently or in collaboration with a senior IPS researcher.
Key Dates
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Proposal Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026
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Finalists Announced: 31 May 2026
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Final Winner Announcement: 23 June 2026
For more information, visit IPS.