Second Call for Proposals for ReCIPE Big Research Grants

The ReCIPE Big Research Grants programme provides up to £100,000 to support rigorous, policy-relevant research on the links between conflict, economic performance, and public policy, with a strong focus on low- and middle-income countries. The second call for proposals prioritizes quantitative, high-impact research suitable for leading academic journals and directly relevant to peacebuilding and economic policy debates worldwide.

The Reducing Conflict and Improving Performance in the Economy (ReCIPE) programme invites applications for its second call for Big Research Grants. The programme funds ambitious research projects that deepen understanding of how economic growth, stagnation, public policy, and conflict dynamics interact, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

ReCIPE aims to support research that combines academic excellence with real-world policy relevance, contributing to more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive economies.

What Is the ReCIPE Big Research Grants Programme?

ReCIPE is a global research funding initiative that supports cutting-edge, quantitative economic research focused on conflict, fragility, and economic performance.

The programme seeks to answer critical questions such as:

• How does economic growth or stagnation influence conflict and fragility?

• How do different growth patterns affect peace, instability, and violence?

• How can public policy and economic interventions reduce conflict risks?

Funded projects are expected to meet the standards of top academic journals while remaining highly relevant to policymakers and practitioners.

Funding Amount and Grant Size

ReCIPE offers Big Research Grants of up to £100,000 per project.

This funding level is designed for research that:

• Requires extended timelines and substantial data collection

• Involves large-scale quantitative analysis or new data generation

• Cannot be effectively delivered through smaller or short-term grants

Applicants must clearly justify the scale of funding requested and explain why the project requires a Big Research Grant rather than a smaller funding scheme.

Who Is Eligible?

ReCIPE welcomes applications from researchers worldwide, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and collaborative research teams.

Eligible applicants include:

• Academic researchers with expertise in economics, political economy, or related fields

• Researchers based in low-, middle-, and high-income countries

• PhD holders and PhD candidates with strong research track records

• Multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research teams

Key eligibility conditions include:

• Principal investigators are generally expected to hold a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD programme

• Exceptional non-PhD applicants may be considered if they demonstrate strong research credentials

• PhD students are encouraged to apply as part of a team with senior co-investigators

• PhD student principal investigators must submit a letter of support from their supervisor shortly after the application deadline

Due to current political and economic sanctions, proposals cannot include researchers based at Russian institutions.

Priority Research Themes

ReCIPE supports research across a broad range of thematic areas related to conflict and economic performance.

Priority topics include:

• Public policies for peace and stability

• Private and public investment in fragile contexts

• Institutions, governance, and democracy

• Geoeconomics and international economic relations

• Climate change, environmental stress, and natural resources

• Information flows, media, and conflict dynamics

• Ethnic diversity, nation-building, and social cohesion

• Peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction, and recovery

• Gender, inequality, and conflict linkages

Across all themes, ReCIPE places strong emphasis on:

• New data generation and innovative datasets

• Gender equality and social inclusion

• Climate and environmental considerations

How Applications Are Assessed

Proposals are evaluated based on academic rigor, feasibility, and policy relevance.

Assessment criteria include:

1. Research quality and originality

2. Relevance to conflict, growth, and policy debates

3. Methodological rigor and quantitative strength

4. Feasibility and appropriateness of the proposed budget

5. Expertise and track record of the research team

6. Attention to gender, inclusion, and environmental factors

Collaborative proposals that bridge low- and high-income country expertise are strongly encouraged.

Why This Grant Matters

The ReCIPE Big Research Grants programme addresses a critical need for evidence-based policy research in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

This grant matters because it:

• Supports research that directly informs peace and economic policy

• Enables large-scale, high-quality quantitative studies

• Strengthens research capacity through global collaboration

• Promotes inclusive, gender-sensitive, and climate-aware analysis

• Helps translate academic findings into practical policy solutions

By funding ambitious research, ReCIPE contributes to long-term conflict reduction and economic resilience.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Applicants should prepare a detailed and well-justified research proposal.

A strong application typically includes:

1. A clearly defined research question linked to conflict and economic performance

2. A robust quantitative methodology and data strategy

3. An explanation of policy relevance and expected impact

4. A detailed budget with justification for up to £100,000

5. A realistic project timeline and implementation plan

6. Evidence of team expertise and institutional support

PhD students acting as principal investigators must also ensure timely submission of a supervisor support letter after the deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following common pitfalls:

• Proposing research that lacks clear policy relevance

• Requesting a large budget without sufficient justification

• Submitting underdeveloped data or methodology plans

• Applying as a solo PhD student without senior research support

• Overlooking gender, inclusion, or environmental dimensions

• Including ineligible team members based at restricted institutions

Clear alignment with ReCIPE’s objectives significantly improves competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum funding available under ReCIPE Big Research Grants?

The maximum grant amount is £100,000 per project.

Who can apply for this funding?

Researchers worldwide, including PhD students, academic staff, and research teams, are eligible subject to programme conditions.

Are collaborative research teams encouraged?

Yes. ReCIPE strongly encourages collaboration between researchers from low-, middle-, and high-income countries.

Is this programme limited to specific academic disciplines?

The programme primarily targets economics and political economy, but related disciplines are welcome if the research is quantitative and policy-relevant.

Can PhD students apply as principal investigators?

Yes, but they are encouraged to apply with senior co-investigators and must provide a supervisor support letter.

Are researchers based at Russian institutions eligible?

No. Due to current sanctions, projects including researchers based at Russian institutions are not eligible.

Conclusion

The ReCIPE Big Research Grants programme offers substantial funding for high-quality, policy-relevant research on conflict and economic performance. By supporting ambitious quantitative studies with global collaboration, ReCIPE aims to generate evidence that informs better policies and contributes to more peaceful, resilient, and inclusive economies worldwide.