We provide funding for research projects. Projects must undertake a systematic investigation, of some kind, to further our knowledge or understanding of the Creating Safer Space research themes described on pages 3-5. It is not sufficient to engage in humanitarian activities to protect civilians in conflict.
We welcome the use of different research methods and approaches. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Participatory Action Research or other community-based research methods
- Arts-based and creative research methods
- Digital methods
- Fieldwork
- Focus groups
- Interview-based research
- Quantitative surveys
- Archival research
We particularly encourage applicants to consider participatory methodologies which mirror the community-based approach of UCP, arts-based and creative methods, or innovative digital methods to support more traditional approaches. We offer online training to enable applicants to learn about different research methods.
All projects must include some elements from the arts and humanities. This can consist, for example, in the involvement of researchers, approaches or methodologies from relevant academic disciplines (like history, social anthropology, law or media studies), the use of arts-based or other creative research methods for data generation and dissemination, or the involvement of project partners with arts and humanities expertise. Please see the FAQ for further guidance.
Projects are particularly encouraged to think about the links between research methods and project dissemination, for example by using, developing or enhancing methods that could eventually be included into UCP strategies (e.g., creative methods to explore conflict-affected communities’ experiences which could help UCP organisations better tailor their programming, or digital methods of research which could then be adapted to and adopted by protection actors).
Grant applications must demonstrate that the research, if successful, will have the potential to positively impact the lives of people living in the midst of violent conflict or affected by other forms of political violence through more protection or better protection approaches. More specifically, since our funding forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment, the research must have the potential to positively impact people living in countries that are eligible for foreign aid. This includes any country on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients (DAC list), except China, India, and any country due to graduate from the list. Please see page 5 for further information about the country focus of each grant.
Each project must produce outputs that are appropriate to the aims and target audiences of the project. Examples include academic publications (journal articles, book chapters, edited books, monographs or conference papers), websites or digital resources, policy briefings, public engagement, training materials, exhibitions, documentaries, performances or other creative outputs. Projects are especially encouraged to consider artistic or media outputs.
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Research Quality and Importance: Including the extent to which the proposal meets the specific aims of the Creating Safer Space network; the significance and importance of the project and its potential contribution to knowledge; the appropriateness of the research methods; and Official Development Assistance (ODA) compliance.
- People: Including the quality and importance of the research team’s work to date; the ability of the research team to bring the project to completion; and the suitability of the opportunities which the project will make available to support the development of research staff on the project.
- Management: Including the appropriateness of the project plan and timeframes; and the extent to which sufficient time and resources have been allocated to achieving each aspect of the project.
- Value for Money: Including the extent to which the likely outcome of the research will represent value for money; and the extent to which the resources requested are reasonable in the context of the project.
- Outputs, dissemination and impact: Including the appropriateness of the proposed plans for dissemination and impact; the likelihood that the outputs and outcomes of the project will be highly valued and widely exploited, both in the research community and in wider contexts where they can make a difference; and whether sufficient attention has been given to who the beneficiaries of the research might be and appropriate ways to engage with them throughout the project.
All projects must also evidence a commitment to gender equality, meet certain ethical principles, and safeguard researchers and research participants.
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