Call for EOIs: Research Initiative on Governance, Development and Economy in Bangladesh

RIDGE aims to support researchers in Bangladesh through funding, mentorship, and training to generate policy-relevant insights and build the skills required to produce high-quality research that informs the design of policies aimed at improving the lives of Bangladeshi citizens.

Objectives

• RIDGE will focus on supporting young researchers, creating a unique opportunity for them to engage with secondary data in transformative ways. Secondary data, especially novel sources such as administrative data from government agencies or private sources, often require a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and contextual knowledge to analyze effectively.
• By prioritizing projects that explore new and innovative uses of such data, RIDGE enables young researchers to build their capacity in handling complex datasets, employing cutting-edge methodologies, and addressing critical policy questions.

Thematic Areas of Focus

• Labor Markets and Employment
• Monetary Policy, Finance and Banking
• Fiscal Policy and Public Finance
• International Trade and Development
• Economic Growth and Productivity
• Poverty and Inequality
• Energy, Environmental Economics and Climate Change
• Technology and Digital Economy
• Health Economics and Human Capital
• Gender, Care Work and Education
• Governance and Institutions
• Agricultural Productivity, Food Security, and Nutrition

Benefits

• Shortlisted researchers will receive dedicated mentorship throughout both the proposal development and programme stages to ensure continuous academic and professional development. Researchers will be paired with experienced mentors whose expertise aligns with their proposed research area. This tailored mentorship will include regular guidance, feedback on research progress and advice on methodological approaches. This aims to strengthen the candidates research capabilities and enhance the quality of their work.
• Training Opportunities:
  • RIDGE will organize three workshops to support researchers throughout the proposal development and programme stages. The tentative workshop topics are as follows:
    • Proposal Development: This workshop will offer training in developing effective research proposals using secondary data to address policy issues in Bangladesh.
    • Research Methodology: This workshop will aim to equip participants with practical knowledge on conducting quantitative studies using secondary data.
    • Writing Academic Papers with Secondary and Administrative Data: This workshop will be designed to train the awarded grantees to prepare publishable academic papers using secondary data from public sources and administrative records.

Funding Information

• RIDGE aims to support 4-5 awardees, each receiving a grant of up to BDT 1,250,000 (including VAT and tax). These funds are intended to support research projects over a one-year period.

Eligibility Criteria

• All researchers must be Bangladeshi nationals currently residing in Bangladesh and must remain inside Bangladesh until the completion of the assignment.
• All researchers must be aged 35 years old or below.
• Researchers may be:
  • Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program at a recognized university in Bangladesh;
  • Graduates of a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program; or
  • Employed by a higher education institution, research organization, or other relevant institutions in Bangladesh.
• Independent researchers who are not affiliated with any institution are also welcome to apply. However, preference will be given to researchers with institutional affiliations.
• If the Principal Investigator (PI) is an undergraduate student, they must have completed at least 75% of their degree requirements or be in their final year of study.
• Researchers within the same team may be affiliated with different organizations or studying at different universities.
• The same researcher(s) may submit multiple applications; however, only one proposal per researcher(s) may be selected for funding.

For more information, visit BIGD.