Understanding & Influencing Humanitarian Decision‑Making

## Research Grant Opportunity: Understanding & Influencing Humanitarian Decision‑Making

A new grant opportunity invites researchers, organisations, and practitioners to submit project proposals focused on how decisions are made in humanitarian crises—and how insights can be used to influence those decisions toward more ethical, effective and accountable outcomes.

This call seeks rigorous studies that explore power, accountability, incentives, and behaviour in humanitarian operations—particularly research grounded in real-world systems and aimed at driving positive change.

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### 📌 Grant Purpose & Focus

* **Goal**: To support research that both **understands** and seeks to **influence** humanitarian decision-making processes.

* **Topics may include**:

  * How donor incentives shape response modalities or resource allocations

  * Community participation and agency in decision frameworks

  * Accountability systems and feedback mechanisms

  * Private sector or third-party influence on procurement, contracting, or project choice

  * How data, analytics, or tech interventions inform policy or program decisions

The fund emphasises proposals with grounded methodology, clear pathways to policy impact, and ethical engagement with crisis-affected communities.

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### 🎓 Who May Apply?

* Academic researchers or research teams (e.g. universities, think tanks)

* INGOs, NGOs or social enterprises with in-field experience

* Research collectives able to combine fieldwork with policy advocacy

* Emerging researchers demonstrating access to humanitarian or field settings

Preference is given to those with experience in conflict zones, displacement, or health emergencies.

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### 🗓 Timeline & Financial Details

* **Grant Amount**: Typically up to USD 100,000 (exact amounts vary)

* **Funding Duration**: 9–18 months

* **Deadline**: Often late August or early September (exact date provided in full announcement)

* **Notification**: Shortlisted candidates invited for virtual presentations; final decisions announced in October–November

Applicants should build in timelines for data collection, fieldwork, advisory engagement, and formal dissemination.

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### 🧠 What Makes a Competitive Proposal?

**1. Problem & Research Questions**

Clearly define why the topic matters, articulate research questions tied to decision-making mechanisms, and link to potential improvements or impact.

**2. Methodology & Feasibility**

Propose a robust method—including surveys, interviews, analysis of procurement logs, ethnographic observation, etc.—paired with ethical and logistical feasibility.

**3. Impact Strategy**

Detail how findings will be communicated, who the intended decision-makers are (e.g. governments, UN agencies, clusters), and how research could lead to change.

**4. Budget & Timeline**

Present a realistic, detailed budget aligned with activity phases. Highlight cost-efficiency and clarity in scope versus cost.

**5. Ethics & Accountability**

Explain informed consent processes, rights protection for vulnerable subjects, and how communities are engaged or consulted.

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### 👨‍💼 Tips for a Strong Submission

* Collaborate across disciplines (policy, finance, anthropology, humanitarian operations).

* Use local or in-field partners wherever possible for legitimacy and trust.

* Keep the proposal concise and focused—assessment panels value clarity.

* Highlight innovation—new data sources, participatory methods, or analytical frameworks.

* Demonstrate prior trustworthiness in humanitarian research contexts.

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### 🖱 Apply Online

Ready to submit your proposal?

✅ **Apply Online Now**

Prepare your project narrative, budget, ethics statement, and CVs of key researchers. Submit everything through the secure portal before the **Stated Deadline**—ensure all fields are accurately completed and documents clearly labelled.

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### 🌟 Why This Research Matters

Humanitarian decision‑making often takes place under immense pressure, limited information, and conflicting incentives. This grant supports research that can:

* Reveal how decisions evolve in field settings

* Uncover barriers to community participation

* Illuminate the role of procurement actors, incentives, or external stakeholders

* Catalyse improvements in accountability and responsiveness

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### 📋 Summary Table

| Feature | Details |

| ------------------- | ------------------------------------- |

| Theme | Humanitarian decision-making research |

| Eligible Applicants | Researchers, NGOs, academics |

| Grant Size | Up to USD 100,000 |

| Duration | 9–18 months |

| Key Components | Analysis, fieldwork, policy outreach |

| Priority Area | Under-explored decision processes |