Call for Proposals: STEG Larger Research Grant Program (6th Call)

Deadline: 02-Feb-2026

The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Programme invites applications for Larger Research Grants (LRGs), funding research on economic growth, structural transformation, and related policy issues in low-income countries. Grants of up to £100,000 support data collection, research assistance, teaching buyouts, and travel, with applications open to researchers globally, emphasizing interdisciplinary and cross-country collaboration.

Overview

The STEG Programme funds high-quality research examining structural transformation and economic growth in low-income countries. This sixth call for LRGs supports projects exploring systemic growth patterns, industrial development, labor dynamics, trade, agriculture, and the role of public policy.

Grants aim to:

• Generate actionable evidence for policymakers

• Advance research on structural transformation

• Encourage collaboration between researchers from low- and high-income countries

Focus Areas

Primary research themes include:

1. Data and Measurement – Improving metrics for growth and structural transformation.

2. Firms and Industrial Policy – Understanding productivity, firm dynamics, and industrial interventions.

3. Labor and Household-Level Transformation – Examining employment, income, and social mobility.

4. Agricultural Productivity – Innovations in farming and rural economic development.

5. Trade and Spatial Frictions – Assessing barriers to trade and regional economic integration.

6. Public Sector Role – Policies that facilitate structural and economic development.

Cross-cutting issues:

• Gender, equity, and inclusion

• Climate change and environmental sustainability

• Reducing inequality

Projects in middle-income countries may be considered if they provide insights relevant to low-income contexts.

Who is Eligible?

• Researchers worldwide; Russian institutions are excluded due to sanctions.

• Principal Investigators (PIs): PhD holders or PhD candidates (with supervisor support letter).

• Co-Investigators: Similar qualifications encouraged.

• PhD students may participate with senior collaborators to strengthen feasibility.

• Consortia applications are welcomed, provided formal agreements exist.

Eligible institutions must meet legal and financial criteria. In exceptional cases, CEPR may act as the host institution.

Why It Matters

LRGs provide critical support for research that:

• Improves understanding of economic growth processes

• Supports evidence-based policymaking in low-income countries

• Enhances global collaboration and knowledge exchange

• Addresses real-world issues related to inequality, climate, and social inclusion

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: Up to £100,000 per project

• Eligible Expenses:

  • Research assistance and data collection/purchase

  • Teaching buyouts for PIs and co-investigators

  • Travel to field sites (even for secondary data projects)

  • Exceptional data collection costs may justify a higher budget

• Project Duration: Intended completion within 24 months

Application and Submission Process

1. Prepare Proposal:

   • Include research objectives, methodology, and expected policy impact

   • Address COVID-19 risks and alternative strategies for fieldwork

   • Detail researcher and participant safety measures

2. Institutional Support:

   • Applications must be submitted via eligible institutions

   • Joint applications require formal agreements between institutions

3. Deadline and Timeline:

   • Funding decisions: within five months of submission

   • Contract signing: within one month of decision

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed on:

• Research Quality: originality, rigor, and methodology

• Policy Relevance: potential to inform decision-making

• Feasibility: realistic objectives and timelines

• Value for Money: effective use of funds

• Contribution to Field: advancing knowledge and understanding of structural transformation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to include a supervisor support letter for PhD PIs

• Neglecting fieldwork risk mitigation or safety protocols

• Submitting incomplete institutional or consortium documentation

• Underestimating data collection costs or logistical needs

• Ignoring cross-cutting issues like gender, climate, or inclusion

FAQ

1. Can researchers outside low-income countries apply?
Yes, but research must have relevance to growth processes or policies in low-income countries.

2. Are PhD students eligible to lead projects?
Yes, but they must have senior collaborators and submit a supervisor support letter.

3. Can multiple institutions submit a joint proposal?
Yes, formal agreements between all partners are required.

4. What costs are covered by the grant?
Research assistance, data collection, teaching buyouts, travel, and exceptional data collection expenses.

5. Is fieldwork mandatory?
Not mandatory, but strongly encouraged to enhance policy engagement. Alternative strategies must be provided if COVID-19 or other risks affect fieldwork.

6. How long are projects expected to last?
Projects are designed for 24 months completion.

7. When will funding decisions be made?
Decisions are expected five months after the application deadline.

Conclusion

The STEG Larger Research Grant program empowers researchers to generate high-impact evidence on structural transformation and economic growth in low-income countries. By supporting interdisciplinary, collaborative, and policy-relevant research, the program fosters global knowledge exchange and contributes to sustainable development.

For more information, visit STEG.