Deadline: 26th June, 2023.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is pleased to announce a call for full proposals as part of the FutureWORKs initiative, for the selection of regional research hubs intended to develop and lead a regional research network to advance skills and policies for an inclusive and sustainable future of work.
This call is a joint initiative of the Education and Science and the Sustainable Inclusive Economies programs. It seeks to leverage past IDRC investments on challenges in the Future of Work, Women’s Economic Empowerment and skills development to create a multi-regional initiative supporting innovation research to advance skills for the future of work and promote decent work.
Objectives
This initiative supports high-quality, innovative and gender responsive research that addresses key Future of Work challenges and opportunities to advance skills, strengthen social protection and promote decent work.
Specific objectives:
- Support Southern-led research on the impact of digital technological advancements such as AI, and the transition to a low carbon economy on future of work and deliver innovation policy solutions.
- Foster networks for knowledge sharing and peer learning, through the development of future of work research hubs in regions where IDRC operates.
- Support knowledge mobilization for uptake by engaging policymakers, private sector actors, civil society and worker’s representatives across the skills ecosystem to help co-develop and utilize evidence in decision making, as well as scale good practices.
Focus Areas
- Climate-Resilient Food Systems
- Democratic and Inclusive Governance
- Education and Science
- Global Health
- Sustainable Inclusive Economies
- Gender equality and inclusion are central to all their programs.
Funding and duration
- Regional research hubs can submit budget requests of up to a maximum of CAD 1,700,000.
- IDRC is expecting to fund 5 regional research hubs, depending on quality, in the following regions: Asia, sub-Saharan Africa (2), MENA and LAC. The initiative’s duration is a maximum of 5 years, including all research activities and final reporting.
- IDRC reserves the right to fund additional proposals from this call if/when more funding becomes available.
- IDRC is under no obligation to issue any funds prior to the applicant returning a fully executed Grant Agreement to IDRC.
- All grants are subject to sufficient funds being made available to IDRC by the Parliament of Canada.
- IDRC reserves the right to cancel this call for proposals at any time without prior notice and/or to not issue any grants under this process.
Eligibility
- Only full proposals that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered. The following eligibility criteria apply:
- This call invites proposals from individual organizations or consortiums headquartered in LMICs in the respective region (MENA, LAC, Asia, SSA). If taking a consortium approach, it must be composed of organizations working in the regions of focus.
- This call for proposals is open to non-profit research organizations and higher education institutions. Consortia may involve government and UN agencies, but these partners are not eligible to be the lead institution or to have salary costs included. This call is not open to individuals.
- International organizations with offices in LMICs playing a leadership role in this proposal are eligible.
- A demonstrated track record leading and supporting high quality research in the FOW field, through a strong publication record.
- Demonstrated knowledge of regional priorities in the FOW field is a must.
- Proven high capacity to support networks or partners, including demonstrated experience fostering knowledge exchange and learning opportunities, both virtually and in person.
- Demonstrated experience through a record of publication in conducting gender analysis and ensuring the integration of gender, equity, and inclusion considerations in all project activities.
- Proven administrative capacities, including demonstrated expertise in managing research projects, ability to disburse funding to other organizations and in different countries.
- Ability to work in English and the working languages of the region (e.g., Spanish for LAC, French for West and Central Africa) at a minimum. Other languages are considered an asset.
- Applicants must have independent legal status (or “legal personality”) and be capable of contracting in their own right and name, receiving and administering funds, and have authority to direct proposed project activities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate legal status through written documentation. Legal status will only be reviewed if and when applicants are selected following technical selection.
- Only complete applications are eligible.
For more information and application.