OVERVIEW

CEGA’s Global Networks program invites joint proposals from CEGA Fellows and CEGA-affiliated faculty to conduct impact evaluations of programs and policies in East and West Africa. 

A total of $90,000 in research funding will be awarded to 2 projects with budgets up to $45,000 each. We will accept proposals for research that was affected by US federal funding cuts. 

Eligibility: 

We will award teams of scholars made up of at least one  CEGA affiliate  (see here) and at least one CEGA fellow (see here). Because of limited funds, we are not able to award grants outside of these networks. PhD students who are advised by CEGA affiliates are welcome to apply (the CEGA affiliate name must be listed on the application). 

Grant terms: 

• Applications will be accepted for research in East or West Africa. 
• Funding will support impact evaluations (randomized control trials or quasi-experimental studies) that address a topic of critical importance to economic development.
• Research teams may request funding for a new project or supplemental funding for an ongoing project, e.g. for data collection or to add a new treatment arm. Funding can be used 
• Successful proposals will enhance the capacity of East and West African researchers to lead evaluations. 
• Funding may be requested for studies impacted by US Government funding cuts or pauses (e.g. RCTs that have completed a baseline study but are awaiting endline analysis; interventions or evaluations that could be resumed within the allotted amount, etc). 

Proposal Materials Required:

1. Cover sheet

2. Research proposal narrative

3. Budget narrative 

4. Budget - excel sheet 

For studies impacted by USG funding cuts, please make sure to attach your original proposal, along with an addendum (in addition to the budget sheet and budget justification). See thee RFP linked for more guidance.

We offer two types of awards to support original research in Somaliland. $50,000 will be made available to all PhD Students and Faculty Affiliates at CEGA-Affiliated campuses:

(1) travel grants up to $5,000 for scoping and/or short-term fieldwork;

(2) seed grants up to $20,000 for extensive, longer-term projects.

The Pharo Foundation has generously provided funds to support original research in Somaliland. Preference will be given to proposals examining research ideas that connect to existing Pharo Foundation programs or initiatives. Specifically, CEGA and the Pharo Foundation are eager to support evaluations examining access to safe water and labor productivity in Somaliland. 

Proposed research must involve rigorous evaluation of programs or policies designed to alleviate poverty and promote social or economic development in low- and middle- income countries. Grant funds may be used to cover travel and lodging, data collection or access, data analysis, and related activities. Grants may not be used for researcher salaries nor for F&A/Overhead/Indirect Costs.

Researchers that have previously received CEGA funding are eligible for additional CEGA funding if they have completed requested retrospective surveys, interim and final reports, and/or other required deliverables.

Deadline: January 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Eligibility Criteria: Doctoral students and CEGA Faculty Affiliates can apply. For doctoral students, each application must include a nomination from a CEGA faculty affiliate sponsor. The nomination must be emailed to Sam Bordia (bordia@berkeley.edu) by the submission deadline (simply stating, "I have reviewed the proposed research and agree to nominate the applicant for this award" is adequate). 

Application Process: Please complete the Application Form. Applications must include a proposal describing the research (no more than 2 pages) and a budget. All materials must be submitted in a single PDF file through the appropriate link at our online portal, Submittable.

Please email Sam Bordia (bordia@berkeley.edu) with any inquiries.