The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are inviting proposals from individual organizations or consortia of up to three organizations to serve as implementing partners for the new GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience initiative. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of education systems in GPE partner countries through rigorous research and evidence dissemination. Implementing partners will be responsible for setting up and managing regional observatories, conducting applied research, and disseminating their findings.
The initiative will establish six regional observatories: one in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), one in East, West, Central, and Southern Africa, and four in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, and the Pacific (EMAP). These observatories will focus on exploring and enhancing the resilience of education systems to withstand potential disruptions.
This initiative is part of the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), a collaborative effort between GPE and IDRC. KIX supports GPE partner countries by providing them with the evidence and innovative solutions they need to improve access to education, learning outcomes, and gender equality. It facilitates direct knowledge sharing among GPE partner countries through four regional hubs and funds applied research on their educational priorities. KIX aims to drive transformative change in education systems across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience builds on the earlier GPE KIX COVID-19 Observatory project, which focused on collecting, synthesizing, and sharing evidence about education policy and practice responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The new initiative expands its geographical scope to include the LAC and EMAP regions and broadens its focus to encompass the concepts and practices of education system resilience, as well as preparedness for future disruptions.
Key details for the call for proposals are as follows:
Deadline for Proposal Submission
- July 11, 2024, by 23:59 EDT.
Program Information
- Program: Education and Science Knowledge and Innovation Exchange Program
- Duration: 28 months
- Topic(s): Education
- Funded by: The Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavor with IDRC
- Type: Grant
- Status: Open
Budget
- The total budget for the entire initiative is CAD 4 million. The allocated budgets for the regional observatories are:
- Latin America and the Caribbean: up to CAD 400,000
- East, West, Central, and Southern Africa: up to CAD 1.5 million
- Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, and the Pacific: up to CAD 2.1 million, distributed across four sub-regions (Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia; Middle East and North Africa; South Asia and Southeast Asia; and the Pacific)
Eligibility
- This opportunity is open to individual organizations or consortia of up to three organizations that are nationally or internationally registered or incorporated and headquartered in low- and middle-income countries. For specific eligibility requirements, please refer to the detailed call document.
Scope
- The initiative seeks to improve the resilience of education systems in GPE partner countries through research and evidence dissemination. Implementing partners will establish and manage regional observatories, conduct applied research, and mobilize their findings to contribute to education system resilience.
Enhancing Education Resilience in Africa: Key Benefits of the GPE KIX Observatory Research Grants Initiative
The GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience initiative is highly significant for African researchers and institutions in terms of research grants for several key reasons:
- Substantial Funding Allocation: The initiative allocates up to CAD 1.5 million specifically for the East, West, Central, and Southern Africa regions. This substantial funding can support extensive research projects and capacity building within these regions.
- Focus on Resilience: By concentrating on the resilience of education systems, this initiative addresses critical challenges that African countries face, such as political instability, economic hardships, and environmental disruptions. Research funded through this grant can lead to more robust and adaptable educational frameworks.
- Capacity Building: The initiative provides an opportunity for African organizations to enhance their research capabilities. This includes setting up and managing regional observatories, which can foster local expertise and long-term sustainable research practices.
- Policy Impact: The research findings from these grants can directly influence education policies in African countries. By providing evidence-based recommendations, researchers can help shape more effective and resilient education systems that can better withstand future disruptions.
- Collaborative Opportunities: African researchers can collaborate with international and regional partners, gaining access to a broader network of expertise and resources. This can enhance the quality and impact of their research projects.
- Knowledge Exchange: Through the KIX initiative, African researchers can participate in knowledge sharing with other GPE partner countries. This facilitates the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions, further enriching the research environment.
- Focus on Educational Priorities: The initiative supports applied research on educational priorities specific to African contexts, ensuring that the funded projects are relevant and address the most pressing issues faced by the continent’s education systems.
In summary, the GPE KIX Observatory on Education System Resilience initiative offers a valuable opportunity for African researchers to secure research grants that can significantly enhance the resilience and quality of education systems across the continent.
To learn more about KIX, visit the KIX webpage: KIX call for proposals: GPE KIX regional observatories on education system resilience | IDRC – International Development Research Centre (idrc-crdi.ca)
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