2026 Global Networks Research Grant Competition

See the full request for proposals (RFP) here.

RFP Release date: September 23, 2026

Submission deadline: November 15, 2026

Notification date: January 19th, 2027

Subaward process: End January—April 2027

Period of Performance: May 15th, 2027—October 1, 2028 

Apply via the Submittable portal by November 15th, 2026. Please direct any questions to Namita Karnik at namita_karnik@berkeley.edu.

OVERVIEW

CEGA’s Global Networks program invites joint proposals from CEGA Fellows and CEGA Affiliates to conduct policy or programmatically-relevant impact evaluations in East and West Africa. 

A total of $200,000 in research funding will be awarded to 3-4 projects. Individual projects may request up to $67,000. 

Proposed studies must use a rigorous research design capable of identifying causal effects and must demonstrate that the project can be successfully implemented. Priority may be given to extensions of CEGA-funded pilot grants. 

We prioritize research that addresses important questions with the potential to advance knowledge and inform policy or programmatic decision-making. Competitive proposals should articulate both the broader significance and innovation of the research question and its relevance to the specific policy or programmatic context in which the study will be conducted.

We particularly encourage projects that are developed in collaboration with an end user of the evidence, such as a government agency, policymaker, or implementing organization, and that respond to a concrete policy or programmatic need. Applicants should describe how the proposed research is connected to partner priorities and how the collaboration will extend beyond study implementation to support the use of evidence and strengthen institutional capacity. Letters of support from key stakeholders can be submitted to document this engagement and commitment.

Proposals must also demonstrate the viability of the intervention, program, or approach being studied. Applicants should provide sufficient detail and supporting evidence to establish that what is being evaluated is well developed, can be implemented as proposed, and is supported by partners with the capacity and commitment to carry it out. Purely qualitative or descriptive studies are not eligible for funding.

By November 15, 2026, submit the required files to the Submittable portal here. 

Attachments required include:

• Research Proposal – please adapt this template (go to File → Make a Copy). Do not exceed 7 pages, including the Cover Sheet. Kindly address each of the sections and also consult the evaluation criteria given in the RFP. Save the PDF file name as: “Proposal_First three words of proposal title_study country.” 
• Budget Narrative (example). 
• Budget (Excel sheet): This document must be completed in its entirety using the accompanying excel sheet.

Eligibility: 

We will award teams of scholars made up of at least one CEGA fellow (see here) and at least one CEGA affiliate (see here). Please see the accompanying “Global Networks Co-Authorship Statement,” which lays out expectations for collaboration between the CEGA fellow and CEGA Affiliate. We will accept proposals from PhD students if a CEGA Affiliate sponsors the study. 

Applications will be accepted for research conducted in any of the following countries: Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Applications must be in English.

Matchmaking: 

If CEGA fellows want support finding a CEGA Affiliate, NGO, or policymaker to collaborate with, please reach out to Namita Karnik with a short concept note, and 2-3 proposed faculty, NGOs, or policymakers you would like to be matched with. CEGA Affiliates are also welcome to reach out to find a CEGA fellow collaborator. 

Depending on capacity, we will try to support you in finding a suitable collaborator; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a match for everyone interested.