The Department for International Development (DFID) research and evidence division (RED) is considering changing the way it commissions research through competition and holding an early market engagement event this week to explore the options.
DFID’s research and evidence division (RED) is considering changing the way it commissions research through competition and holding an early market engagement event this week to explore the options.
The Department is developing a business case to create a more rapid, responsive commissioning mechanism for DFID’s ‘mission driven’ research. This includes scoping a new, external Commissioning Centre to run research grant competitions. The mechanism could succeed DFID’s research contract procurement that currently accounts for between 20-30 % of DFID’s annual research budget.
It could include research in any thematic area in development research - DFID’s existing research teams are
- agriculture
- climate
- conflict
- education
- energy
- governance
- growth
- health
- inclusion and humanitarian
- water
The new mechanism would not affect other research partnerships such as live research contracts and the multi-donor funded global mechanisms DFID is part of.
The CC model would award research grants - DFID is also considering additional functions for the CC such as a communication platform for DFID research, supporting thought leadership and getting new research into use.
In designing the CC, DFID is interested in engaging with organisations and groups of organisations that have proven experience in designing and managing research grant competitions in ODA funded research and at scale.
This includes universities, groups of universities and both private and not-for-profit organisations.
DFID is hosting a pre-business case early market engagement event on Thursday this week to gather feedback on options to deliver this approach - UK and overseas institutions are equally welcome to join the event.
Click here to access the Prior Information Notice which includes details of how to register to attend the event.
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