The Department for International Development (DFID) has recognized the key role of research in its Research Strategy 2008-2013 “to help anticipate and respond to future trends that will impact on the lives of the poor people.” Research can help prepare for “future challenges and opportunities , identify and better understand fast-emerging issues, such as the rise of newly powerful economies, engage with some of the best new ideas and help us prepare for future ‘unknowns’ – those issues that could take us by surprise in years to come.”
The Future of Aid Beyond is a research programme that will help explore these issues. Through it seeks to engage with non-traditional partners in research and private sector organizations as they can bring a fresh perspective.
DFID encourages researchers from developing countries to apply for this research programme.
To provide some initial guidance for applicants the examples of potential questions outlined in the Research Strategy were;
- What will the international consensus on development look like after 2015, and how can we measure its success?
- Can we measure the impact of changing international and geo‐political influences on aid, such as the impact of the newly powerful economies and multi‐national companies?
- What impact will worldwide shocks have on development?
- What international factors increasingly influence national development? For instance, how does trade affect a country’s health system or international organised crime undermine social cohesion?
- What is the importance to the future ‘aid architecture‘ of aid funders, international agencies, regional bodies and regulatory environments?
- How can we create new tools that help with aid financing and provision?
The deadline to submit applications is 12 July 2010. For more information, visit this link.
