ESRA tender document (PDF, 185Kb) - ESRC

ESRC-DFID Joint Scheme for Research on International
Development (Poverty Alleviation)
Call specification
Evidence Synthesis Research Awards (ESRA)
ESRC and DFID are pleased to welcome applications to review and synthesise the research that
has been funded under the ESRC-DFID Joint Scheme for Research on International Development (Poverty
Alleviation) on the themes of:
• social protection - www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRA
• food security - www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/.
It is intended that each synthesis will outline the knowledge generated on these topics through
ESRC-DFID Scheme-funded research, highlight which methodologies have been used to
produce this knowledge, identify any key gaps in knowledge not covered by joint ESRC-DFID
funded research and any potential or actual impacts documented.
Applications can be made for up to £10,000 for each synthesis. As Research Awards, these
studies may be exempt from VAT, however, it is the supplier’s legal responsibility to apply the
correct VAT treatment. The addition of VAT will be excluded from any value for money
assessment.
It is anticipated the syntheses will be conducted during the period from April to August 2012
with final reports submitted in September 2012. Applicants are welcome to undertake one
synthesis up to a maximum of £10,000; or both, up to a maximum of £20,000.
The final products of each Evidence Synthesis Research Award will be a summary document; a
full report, with executive summary and annotated bibliography; and a PowerPoint presentation
summarising the key findings. In addition, the research teams are encouraged to plan to publish
their work in a peer reviewed journal.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is 16.00 on 20 April 2012 UK time, via email to
ESRC at: dfid@esrc.ac.uk. Applications must include the wording ‘ESRA APPLICATION’ in
the email subject line. Only applications submitted via a completed ‘ESRA Application
form’ with a completed CV template and Financial template will be accepted these can
be found at: www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRA.
Any questions on the ESRA specification or application process should be directed to:
dfid@esrc.ac.uk.
Background
ESRC and DFID have jointly funded short to medium term poverty focused research since
2005. There have been six calls so far, with 46 projects funded under Phase 1 and 37 projects
funded under Phase 2 - www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-
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opportunities/international-funding/esrc-dfid/phase1-awards.aspx (a further group of projects
will be funded in 2012). The aim of the joint scheme is to provide a more robust conceptual and
empirical basis for international development. It also aims to enhance the quality and impact of
social science research which contributes to the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals and the shaping of the post-2015 agenda. Both funders have a strong commitment to
commissioning world class research and ensuring that the resulting evidence is useful to
stakeholders and policy makers.
The scheme has funded a diverse range of high quality work so far but the Independent Review
of Phase 1 - www.esrc.ac.uk/dfid-poverty/ suggested that the broad spread of work made it
difficult to pull out generic lessons. As a response to this, resources were put in place within
Phase 2 to fund the Strategic Advisory Team to take an overview of the scheme and to work
towards greater understanding of scheme -funded research as a whole. In addition, separate
resources were allocated to a range of synthesis products which would review the evidence that
scheme -funded research had produced on a range of thematic areas.
The ESRC-DFID Scheme has funded a diverse range of high quality research. To assist with
developing a better understanding of the knowledge generated on specific topics, methodologies
that have emerged, key gaps in knowledge not covered, and any potential or actual impacts
documented, we are undertaking a series of synthesis reviews of the commissioned research.
These initial two syntheses will consider the substantial and interesting body of work developed
on the themes of a) social protection and b) food security. It is anticipated that these syntheses
will help inform the ESRC and DFID of the achievements of the joint research scheme.
Aims of each synthesis
The aim of each synthesis is to synthesise the evidence generated from ESRC-DFID funded
research on a) social protection and b) food security and to draw together the commonalities and
contrasts in findings from across the diverse range of research projects.
The synthesis offers the opportunity to review the published research and research in progress
produced by the scheme.
Each successful applicant will:
1. Identify and review all relevant reports, published articles and grey literature by the relevant
research holders in either a) social protection or b) food security.
2. Review the documentation comprehensively to answer the following questions:
• What does scheme -funded research as a whole tell us about each of these two
themes
• What are the evidence and core findings from scheme-funded research
• What methodologies have been used to generate scheme-funded knowledge on these
two themes
• What are the key gaps in knowledge not covered by the research
• Provide an indication of areas of consensus and debate - do the findings reinforce or
contradict each other If the latter, what are the main differences
• Have any potential or actual impacts been documented, and what are these
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It is anticipated that these questions will help develop a clear narrative on ESRC-DFID research
in the areas of social protection and food security.
It may also be useful to make direct contact with a small group of researchers to understand the
context of their findings in more detail.
The primary audiences for these synthesis reports include the research community, DFID,
ESRC, other funders and users of research such as the policy community who may be interested
in what key findings are being generated. This work not only sets out what scheme-funded
research has covered, but also helps identify evidence gaps not currently covered by schemefunded
research and any impacts identified.
Outputs
The outputs for each synthesis will be:
(1) A stand alone summary document of not more than four pages which sets out all the
key findings of the analysis.
(2) A synthesis report of not more than 20 pages (excluding annexes) which sets out the
key findings from the synthesis of research, lists the key findings on the use of
methodologies, highlights where there has been real innovation in terms of new
knowledge or methodologies, summarises if impacts have been documented, and details
the main knowledge gaps not covered by the research. The audience for this work is
broad, so it is important that successful applicants think carefully about how they
communicate through this report, paying attention to simplicity, structure, format and
presentation. They should not assume strong knowledge on the part of the reader and
should be prepared to ‘signpost’ the reader throughout the paper. Graphics, charts and
diagrams will be helpful. The report will include an annotated bibliography as an annex,
with up to two paragraphs on each academic output of scheme-funded research covered
by the synthesis.
(3) A Power Point presentation with brief speaker notes for a 15 minute presentation to
funders should be produced.
The final reports would be published under the joint ESRC/DFID Scheme. Templates for these
outputs are given in the final page of this document.
Funding terms and conditions
Applications may be made for up to a maximum of £10,000 for the period of April to
September 2012. As Research Awards these studies may be exempt from VAT, however, it is the
supplier’s legal responsibility to apply the correct VAT treatment. The addition of VAT will be
excluded from any value for money assessment. The two research syntheses do not fall within
the Research Council Full Economic Costing (fEC) mechanism, and as such this will be
undertaken via a contract between the successful applicant and the ESRC. The amount requested
will cover the time spent researching and writing the synthesis.
Requests for equipment funding are not anticipated.
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It is expected that the lead author of each synthesis will have a phone call/VC with ESRC and
DFID at the start of the contract and at the draft report stage. In addition, the lead author will
be asked to attend a meeting with the funders in the UK to present findings in person once the
report is completed 1 . Costing for this meeting should be included in the budget.
Eligibility
The ESRC and DFID welcomes applications from researchers, normally located in a Higher
Education Institute. Researchers in non-HE institutions, for example from government
departments or from the third sector are also invited to apply. Researchers may be based in
either UK or non-UK organisations with recognised research capacity.
Applications from non-UK institutions are welcome. Applications from teams of people are also
welcome.
The decision making process
Decisions on funding will be made by a panel in April. Applicants will be notified in writing of
their success in w/c 30 April.
Full timetable
• Applications invited - 20 March
• Applications deadline - 16.00 20 April 2012 (UK local time)
• Assessment of applications - w/c 23 April
• Successful applicant notified - w/c 30 April
• Contract issued - By 14 May
• Contract begins - 21 May
• Inception meeting - Early June
• Draft report - 30 July 2012
• Final reports submitted - 10 September 2012.
Applications
Applications should be submitted by email to dfid@esrc.ac.uk. Applications must include the
wording ‘ESRA APPLICATION’ in the email subject line. Applications must include the
following documents:
1. Completed application form (respecting the indicated word and page limits, using the
Application Template- www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRA).
2. CVs for all staff to be funded by the project (maximum of two pages, using the CV
Template - www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRA).
3. Financial spreadsheet (using the Financial Template - www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRA).
1 If the lead author is not based in the UK, and the cost of attending a meeting is likely to be prohibitive, please
contact dfid@esrc.ac.uk to discuss possible other options for this meeting.
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Stage 1. Eligibility check
Proposals will be checked for eligibility on the following criteria:
• All required documentation submitted and completed correctly. This will include
checking that the correct templates have been used and word and page counts adhered to
• Total budget (exclusive of VAT if appropriate) does not exceed £10,000 per synthesis
Failure to meet the eligibility criteria will lead to the proposal being rejected at this stage.
Stage 2. Assessment
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
• Understanding of the objectives and purpose of the synthesis
• Knowledge and experience of the syntheses themes, including demonstrable knowledge
of the wider literature and relevant research
• Experience in research and in writing research synthesis products
• Relevant experience and how this will be applied to the work
• Value for money of bid
• Quality of the proposed work plan and ability to deliver outputs to the required
timetable.
Final report requirements
Stand-alone summary to cover: (Maximum 4 pages)
• Key findings from the research synthesis
• Key findings on the use of methodologies
• Evidence of where there has been innovation
• Identification of clear strengths or weaknesses in the research and research approach
• Where impacts have been documented
• Where are the gaps - ie what has the scheme not been funding in the specified area
Full report: (Maximum 20 pages)
• Executive summary (maximum 1 page)
• Main body of report
o Purpose of the synthesis
o Methods for the review
o Details of what research has been funded on this topic - numbers of projects,
geographical spread, and research questions covered.
o What are the key findings from the research
o What methodologies have been used for the generation of knowledge on this
area
o Where has there been innovation
o Are there clear strengths or weaknesses in the research and research approach
o Have any impacts been documented
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o Where are the gaps - what has the scheme not been funding
• Annotated bibliography listing all references (research outputs from the scheme) used
with a one or two paragraph summary of the research context and findings.
PowerPoint
A visual representation of the executive summary, with brief presentation notes, for a
presentation to funders lasting 15 minutes.
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