Applications Open for Compact Research Grants

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

The ReCIPE Compact Research Grants (CRGs) provide funding of £10,000 to £25,000 for researchers worldwide to conduct policy-relevant research on conflict, economic performance, and development challenges in designated ReCIPE Focus Countries. The grants can support research assistance, data collection, data purchases, justified research stipends or teaching buyouts, and fieldwork-related travel.

About the ReCIPE Compact Research Grants

The ReCIPE Programme supports research that improves understanding of the relationship between conflict, economic performance, and development in countries facing severe development challenges. The Compact Research Grants are intended to help researchers generate evidence that can inform policymakers in ReCIPE Focus Countries. Applicants should propose research addressing conflict-related issues within one or more of ReCIPE’s nine research themes. Projects that examine the intersection of conflict and economic performance are particularly encouraged. Researchers should consult the ReCIPE Research Strategy when developing their proposals and demonstrate how the proposed study contributes to the programme’s research priorities. ReCIPE Compact Research Grants Funding Successful applicants can request between:

Minimum grant: £10,000

Maximum grant: £25,000

Funding may support eligible research-related expenses, including: Research assistance Data collection Purchase of research data Research stipends, where sufficiently justified Teaching buyouts, where sufficiently justified Travel to research field sites Fieldwork associated with the use of secondary data All proposed costs should be reasonable, necessary, and clearly justified. Cost effectiveness and value for money are important considerations during assessment. What Research Does ReCIPE Support? Proposals should address conflict-related research questions that have clear policy relevance to one or more ReCIPE Focus Countries. Research can examine issues connected to ReCIPE’s nine research themes. Applicants are particularly encouraged to consider questions that connect: Conflict and economic performance Conflict-related development challenges Institutional and economic consequences of conflict Development policy in fragile or conflict-affected settings Other cross-cutting issues identified in the ReCIPE research strategy A strong application should explain why the research matters, who can use the findings, and how the results could contribute to policy or development practice. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is open to researchers worldwide, subject to the programme’s specific eligibility and contracting requirements. Applicants should have the appropriate academic or research background to undertake the proposed study and demonstrate that they can deliver the research effectively. Researchers working across different income-country contexts The proposal should clearly establish the applicant’s role, research expertise, methodology, and ability to complete the proposed work. Eligible Research Costs The Compact Research Grants can be used for several types of research expenditure. Research Assistance Funding may cover research assistants needed for activities such as data collection, processing, analysis, literature reviews, or other justified research tasks. Data Collection and Purchase Applicants may request funding to collect primary data or purchase existing datasets required for the research. Research Stipends and Teaching Buyouts Research stipends or teaching buyouts may be supported when they are sufficiently justified and directly contribute to completion of the proposed research. Fieldwork and Travel Funding can support travel to field sites, including research that relies on secondary data. However, applicants proposing in-country activities or travel must provide a strong justification and address relevant security and safety considerations. In-Country Research and Safety Requirements Projects involving research activities or travel within a country require additional consideration.

Applicants should:

Explain why in-country research or travel is necessary. Identify relevant security and safety risks. Explain how those risks will be managed. Consider alternatives to face-to-face fieldwork where appropriate. Ensure that proposed activities comply with relevant institutional and local requirements. Depending on the country and circumstances, researchers undertaking in-country activities may be required to sign an institutional contract rather than an individual contract. The contracting arrangement may therefore be determined on a case-by-case basis. How to Apply Applicants should develop their proposal around a clearly defined research problem and demonstrate its relevance to ReCIPE’s priorities.

Step 1: Review the Research Priorities

Consult the ReCIPE Research Strategy and identify the relevant research theme or themes. Make sure the proposed research clearly relates to conflict, development, economic performance, or their intersections.

Step 2: Define the Research Question

Present a focused research question rather than a broad description of a development problem.

Explain:

What problem the research will investigate Which country or countries are relevant Why the issue matters What evidence is required How the research will contribute to existing knowledge

Step 3: Demonstrate Policy Relevance

Explain how the findings could be useful to policymakers or other relevant stakeholders in ReCIPE Focus Countries. Applications should make the pathway from research → evidence → policy relevance clear.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Prepare a detailed and realistic budget covering only justified research expenses. The requested amount must fall between £10,000 and £25,000. Budgets must comply with the CRG Budget Guidelines and demonstrate cost effectiveness and value for money.

Step 5: Address Fieldwork Risks

If the project includes international travel or in-country research, provide a