Deadline: 4 September 2018

NWO-WOTRO has launched a second call for proposals in the Assumptions programme to scrutinize the Theory of Change of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ CSO policy framework ‘Dialogue and Dissent’ in LMICs. This second call focuses on theme 3, ‘Civic space under pressure’ and is open to research consortia from around the world.

The call aims to fund research projects that strengthen the evidence-base of the policy framework Dialogue and Dissent. It calls on scientists to submit research proposals that scrutinise specific articulated assumptions of the Theory of Change (ToC) underlying the policy framework using primarily qualitative scientific methodologies. Focus of this second call is exclusively on theme 3: Civic space under pressure with a specific focus on non-state actors; applicants have to compare cases in LLMICs across continents.

Objectives

Each research project should contribute to two objectives:

• Generating new, evidence-based knowledge on the assumptions of the ToC underlying the Dialogue and Dissent framework;
• Making this knowledge accessible, available and applicable to policymakers and CSOs in the Netherlands and in LLMICs.

Funding Information

• This call is initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands and administered by NWO-WOTRO Science for Global Development.
• A total call budget of 400,000 euros is available. The maximum budget for a single research project (max 9 months) is 200,000 euros.

Research Scope

To be of relevance for this call, research proposals must:

1. relate to the theoretical propositions for theme 3 (Civic space under pressure) in the ToC document, and
2. focus on at least two LLMICs countries across continents where projects/programmes by CSOs supported by the framework Dialogue and Dissent of the MFA are implemented.
3. not be evaluation research.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications can be submitted by consortia consisting of research organisations located in the LLMIC(s) in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East Asia or Latin America where the project/programme that is subject of the empirical research is implemented and, possibly, one or more research organisations based in any country.
• Eligible projects include research in at least two LLMICs across continents (in the regions described above). Countries studied in projects funded in the first call are not eligible (Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Ukraine). It is not compulsory to include a research organisation in the Netherlands.
• Organisations that are part of the 25 Strategic Partnerships supported by Dialogue and Dissent cannot be part of the consortium. All organisations participating in a consortium must be registered as a legal persona and deliver proof thereof.
• The main applicant should hold a senior position at a research organisation. He or she will act as project coordinator and point of contact with NWO-WOTRO and will submit the research proposal. The main applicant’s organisation will take responsibility for the project secretariat, the day-to-day management and all financial affairs of the research project. A consortium agreement has to be formulated to regulate roles and responsibilities in the project consortium.
• For projects where the main applicant is not from a Dutch university, NWO’s regulations require that an independent audit should be carried out at the end of the project in order to review and verify the correct use and justification of the grant.

How to Apply

Applicants can download the application forms via given website.

For more information, please visit NWO-WOTRO.