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Call for Short-Term Research and Evidence Syntheses in Education (Pakistan)

Deadline: 17-Dec-2025

The Data and Research in Education — Research Consortium (DARE-RC) invites proposals for research studies and scoping papers/evidence syntheses in education and social sciences. Grants support national and international universities, NGOs, think tanks, and collaborative ventures, covering budgets from PKR 8–25 million. Projects focus on high-priority evidence gaps, methodological rigor, accessibility, and policy relevance, with an emphasis on collaboration, diversity, and inclusion.

Overview

The DARE-RC Research Grants program funds high-quality, policy-relevant research in education and social sciences. The program aims to fill emerging evidence gaps and address topics identified through consultations with provincial stakeholders. Funded projects may include:

  • Research Studies: Secondary data analysis, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs

  • Scoping Papers/Evidence Syntheses: Policy and literature reviews, targeted primary data collection, and optional machine learning integration

Funding and Budget

  • Research Studies: PKR 18–25 million, duration six to eight months

  • Scoping Papers/Evidence Syntheses: PKR 8–11 million, duration four to six months

  • Allowable Overheads: Up to 10% of total budget

  • Funding supports research-related costs only, including staffing, equipment, travel, and accessibility measures

Eligible Activities and Costs

Grants may cover:

  • Venue hire, catering, printing, and publicity

  • Travel and accommodation for speakers

  • Staffing, speaker fees, or honoraria

  • Accessibility tools: live captioning, BSL translators, wheelchair ramps, induction loops

  • Equipment hire for video/audio production and virtual participation platforms

Key Research Considerations

  • Engagement with national and international evidence

  • Policy relevance and potential to address critical knowledge gaps

  • Methodological rigor, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness

  • Collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches

  • Support for women-led projects, remote institutions, and early-career researchers

Who is Eligible?

  • National and international universities

  • Think tanks, NGOs, and consulting firms

  • Collaborative research ventures

  • Organisations with experience in education or social science research

  • Must comply with due diligence and obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for primary data collection if applicable

Why It Matters

  • Strengthens the evidence base for educational policy and programming

  • Encourages high-quality, data-driven research aligned with national priorities

  • Promotes collaboration, mentorship, and inclusion of under-represented groups

  • Supports actionable outcomes for provincial stakeholders and decision-makers

How to Apply / How It Works

  1. Prepare Proposal:

    • Define research objectives, methodology, timeline, and budget

    • Include accessibility measures and outreach for student or community participation

    • Attach organisational profile, audited accounts, tax registration, confirmation letters, and CVs of core team members

  2. Submission:

    • Submit proposals according to the DARE-RC guidelines

    • Ensure compliance with data collection and ethical requirements

  3. Evaluation:

    • Proposals assessed on relevance, methodological rigor, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential impact

    • Collaborative and multidisciplinary proposals are prioritized

  4. Contracting:

    • Successful applicants finalize budgets and agreements

    • Projects commence immediately upon contract signing

  5. Implementation & Reporting:

    • Funded projects follow the approved plan and submit progress and final reports as required

Common Mistakes and Tips

  • Avoid incomplete documentation (e.g., missing CVs, auditor reports, NOC confirmations)

  • Ensure proposals clearly demonstrate engagement with existing evidence

  • Budget accurately and adhere to allowable costs and overhead limits

  • Emphasize collaboration, inclusion, and mentorship where applicable

  • Verify compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for data collection

FAQ

1. What types of research are eligible?
Research studies (secondary data, qualitative, or mixed methods) and scoping papers/evidence syntheses.

2. What is the budget range for proposals?
Research studies: PKR 18–25 million; Scoping papers: PKR 8–11 million.

3. Can international organisations apply?
Yes, both national and international universities, NGOs, think tanks, and collaborative ventures are eligible.

4. Are primary data collection costs allowed?
Yes, primarily for scoping papers, but NOCs must be obtained where required.

5. How much can be allocated to overheads?
Up to 10% of the total project budget.

6. Are early-career researchers eligible to lead projects?
Yes, especially if supported by mentorship structures.

7. What accessibility requirements are covered?
Live captioning, BSL translators, live streaming, wheelchair ramps, induction loops, and virtual participation tools.

Conclusion

The DARE-RC Research Grants program empowers organisations to conduct high-quality, policy-relevant education research. By funding both research studies and scoping papers, the program fills critical evidence gaps, promotes inclusivity and collaboration, and strengthens data-driven decision-making in education.

For more information, visit DARE-RC.