2025 Pharo Foundation RFP
Description
Overview
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is pleased to announce our collaboration with the Pharo Foundation to pursue innovative research applicable to Western Ethiopia (Benishangul-Gumuz), Somaliland, and other locations in East Africa. In particular, we are interested in supporting research projects that aim to evaluate:
- Rainwater harvesting and water access in Somaliland: Evaluate the effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and sustainability of rainwater harvesting systems in arid regions of Somaliland
- Vocational skills training in Somaliland and Ethiopia: Assess the labor market and economic mobility impacts of vocational and skills training programs in Somaliland and Ethiopia
- Farmer outgrower programs for crop processing in Ethiopia: Assess the economic viability and inclusiveness of outgrower schemes that link smallholder farmers to processors, including impacts on income stability, productivity, and market access
- Educational technology in East Africa: Analyze the scalability and effectiveness of technological interventions in improving pedagogy, learning outcomes, and/or teacher retention across East African education systems
- Workforce skills transformation in the context of AI in East Africa: Assess the effectiveness of workforce development interventions in equipping East African workers for evolving labor market demands driven by AI and automation.
Proposed research must involve rigorous evaluation of or scoping work on programs or policies designed to alleviate poverty and promote social or economic development in Somaliland, Western Ethiopia, and/or East Africa. While priority will be given to studies that address the topics outlined above, other will also be considered. Grant funds may be used to cover travel and lodging, data collection or access, data analysis, and related activities. Grants may not be used to pay researcher salaries nor for F&A/overhead/indirect costs.
Researchers that have previously received CEGA funding are eligible for additional CEGA funding if they have completed requested retrospective surveys, interim and final reports, and other required deliverables.
A minimum of $50,000 will be available to alumni of the CEGA fellowship network and all PhD Students and Faculty Affiliates at CEGA-Affiliated campuses*. We offer two types of awards to support original research in East Africa related to the topics above:
(1) travel grants up to $5,000 for scoping and/or short-term fieldwork;
(2) seed grants up to $20,000 for extensive, longer-term projects.
The Pharo Foundation has generously provided funds to support original research relevant to Somaliland and Western Ethiopia. Preference will be given to proposals examining research ideas that directly connect to existing Pharo Foundation programs or initiatives. Specifically, CEGA and the Pharo Foundation are eager to support evaluations examining the following:
- Rainwater harvesting and water access in Somaliland
- Vocational skills training in Somaliland and Ethiopia
- Farmer outgrower programs for crop processing in Ethiopia
- Educational technology in East Africa
- Workforce skills transformation in the context of AI in East Africa
Deadline: August 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Eligibility: Alumni of the CEGA fellowship program, doctoral students, and CEGA Faculty Affiliates can apply. We encourage collaborative proposals across the three eligibility groups as well. For doctoral students and fellows, each application must include a nomination from a CEGA faculty affiliate sponsor. The nomination must be emailed to Sam Bordia (bordia@berkeley.edu) by the submission deadline (simply stating, “I have reviewed the proposed research and agree to nominate the applicant for this award” is adequate).
Application Process: Please complete the Application Form. Applications must include a proposal describing the research (no more than 2 pages) and a budget. All materials must be submitted in a single PDF file through the appropriate link at our online portal, Submittable.
Please email Sam Bordia (bordia@berkeley.edu) with any inquiries.
*CEGA Affiliated Campuses: University of California system (Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego), California Institute of Technology, California Polytechnic State University, Claremont Graduate University, Loyola Marymount University, Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, Oregon State University, Reed University, Stanford University, University of British Columbia, University of Oregon, University of San Francisco, University of Southern California, University of Washington, Washington State University
