Empowering African Research Centers: PEP-Hewlett Initiative for Funding, Training, and Policy Impact in 2025

The Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) is excited to announce a transformative initiative aimed at empowering African research centers. This program seeks to enhance the capacity of institutions involved in economic and social policy research to drive evidence-based policymaking and promote sustainable development across the continent.

Introduction and Background

PEP’s new initiative is specifically designed to address critical gaps in research capacity within African institutions. By providing both technical and financial support, the program aims to create a robust network of research centers capable of tackling pressing development challenges and influencing policymaking at local, national, and regional levels.

As part of its broader mission, PEP supports research that fosters inclusive growth and sustainable development. This initiative reinforces its commitment to amplifying the role of African researchers in shaping impactful policy dialogues and decisions.

To qualify for this program, research centers must meet the following criteria:

Geographic Location

Centers must be based in one of the following East or West African countries:

• West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
• East Africa: Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Experience and Commitment

• Proven expertise in conducting high-quality research and a history of working collaboratively with stakeholders, such as government agencies, development organizations, or academic institutions.
• A strong focus on generating evidence-based recommendations to inform policymaking.

Team Composition

• A team of skilled researchers, including at least one senior researcher (female leads strongly encouraged) with substantial experience in engaging policymakers.
• At least two team members must be female, and all team members must have a minimum of three years’ experience in policy research.

Institutional Stability

• Centers must demonstrate operational and financial stability to successfully execute proposed activities.

Selected research centers must formalize their participation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a relevant government institution (e.g., ministry, department, or agency). This agreement will:

• Ensure the research center provides real-time evidence and advisory support for policy decisions.
• Require the government institution to participate in consultation meetings and an online course on evidence-informed policymaking.

The initiative offers a comprehensive support package to bolster institutional capacity and foster collaboration:

Duration and Structure

• Program Length: Duration will depend on the scope of proposed activities.
• Key Components:
  • Financial assistance for research projects and institutional capacity building.
  • Access to technical assistance through PEP’s global network of experts.
  • Tailored training workshops and mentorship programs.
  • Networking opportunities, including participation in international conferences organized by PEP.

Grant and Financial Support

• An initial cash grant of USD 60,000.
• Additional grants of up to USD 28,500 to support activities such as capacity building, events, and travel.

Cost of Participation

• No application or participation fees are required.

Eligible research centers must submit a detailed proposal, including the following components:

1. Institutional Overview:
   • Description of the center’s experience in collaborating with government institutions for policy advisory work.
   • Overview of recent projects (within the last 2-3 years) involving government stakeholders, including challenges and outcomes.
2. Core Research Focus:
   • Description of research themes and alignment with national development priorities.
   • Forecast of priority policy issues for the next 3-5 years.
3. Collaboration Framework:
   • Identification of government institutions for potential MOU partnerships and evidence of pre-existing relationships.
4. Motivational Statement:
   • Explanation of the center’s goals and expected benefits from participating in the initiative.
5. Team Details:
   • CVs and motivational statements from at least four team members, including the senior researcher.
6. Data Availability:
   • Information on potential data access challenges related to proposed research topics.

Submission Steps:

1. Download the mandatory application form from the PEP website.
2. Complete the form, ensuring all required documents are included:
   • Detailed proposal.
   • Supporting documents, such as team CVs and motivational statements.
3. Submit the completed application form via email to delfina.cerisoli@pep-net.org.
   • Email subject line: “Application for PEP-Hewlett-EIPM Program.”
   • Include the research center’s name, address, and contact information in the email body.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: February 28, 2025.
• Early submissions are encouraged to avoid technical difficulties.

Supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, this initiative adopts a strategic approach to enable in-country research centers and their policy counterparts to collaborate on evidence-informed policymaking (EIP). It focuses on:

• Enhancing research and advisory capabilities.
• Establishing real-time policy advisory mechanisms.
• Strengthening collaborative frameworks between research institutions and government bodies.

Through learning-by-doing approaches, participating institutions will engage in training, mentorship, and evaluation to ensure real-world impact. Selected centers will work closely with government institutions to provide actionable evidence that responds to emerging policy challenges.

Take the first step toward transforming research and policymaking in Africa. Apply now to join the PEP-Hewlett-EIPM program and make a lasting impact on your community and beyond!

For additional information, visit the official PEP website.