The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme pursues a research agenda that aims to provide a better understanding of structural change, productivity, and growth in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of STEG is to fund cutting-edge, policy-oriented research that could be published in leading academic journals while simultaneously being relevant to the policy dialogue in low- and middle-income countries.
STEG will fund Small Research Grants (SRGs), PhD Research Grants (PhDs), and Large Research Grants (LRGs), as well as Institutional Partner Grants (IPGs).
Small Research Grants
Small Research Grants (SRGs) of between £10,000 and £25,000 can fund research assistance, data collection and/or purchase, and potentially research stipends/teaching buyouts (if sufficiently justified). Grants also support travel to field sites, even when secondary data is utilised. We view this kind of travel (with the possibilities for field visits and conversations with policymakers) as particularly important for researchers who lack prior experience in the countries that they intend to study.
Principal investigators applying to SRG calls should currently have a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD programme.
PhD Research Grants
PhD Research Grants (PhD RGs) of up to £15,000 can fund research assistance, data collection and/or purchase, and stipends. Stipends should only be requested if they allow the researcher(s) to reduce teaching/administrative duties and therefore free up time for research. Stipends are capped at £12,000 for PhD students in programmes located in high-income countries and the PPP equivalent for PhD students in programmes located in low- and middle-income countries. Grants will also support travel to field sites, even when secondary data is utilised.
Large Research Grants
Large Research Grants (LRGs), awarded up to the value of £100,000, are designed to fund research that cannot be covered by our Small Research Grants (SRGs). Applicants must justify the additional time and resources that they are requesting relative to the smaller SRGs, which are STEG’s primary research funding vehicle. LRGs can fund research assistance, data collection and/or purchase, and teaching buyouts, or relevant remuneration practices, for the principal investigator and co-investigators from partner institutions. Grants also support travel to field sites, even when secondary data is utilised.
Principal investigators applying to LRG calls should currently have a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD programme. We encourage PhD students to apply as part of a team alongside more senior co-investigators, which may help to demonstrate the project’s feasibility and credibility.
Eligible Research
Please note that an important criterion for funding of proposals is the relevance to policy in low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Proposals focused on middle- and/or high-income countries need to make a clear case for the relevance of the research to policy in specific low-income countries. Proposals are also evaluated on the extent to which the research findings (including those from comparative work or from studies in other geographies) might be relevant to policy in specific sub-Saharan countries.
Deadlines
Deadlines vary and are subject to change. Check for upcoming calls periodically.
Fellowship Website:
https://grp.cepr.org/steg/funding