R2HC Annual Funding Call

Please note that this opportunity has now closed.    R2HC aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening the evidence base for public health interventions in humanitarian crises.    This grant programme is an ‘Open Call’, with proposals sought for research that will strengthen the public health evidence base in humanitarian settings, and contribute to more effective interventions in humanitarian response.    If you have applied before, please login to apply here.  If you have never applied before, please register to apply here.

The Humanitarian Health Evidence Review demonstrated how few rigorous research studies have been conducted in humanitarian contexts across multiple fields of public health. This fund provides a unique opportunity to generate high quality evidence that can add to the global evidence base and shape humanitarian response.

All proposals will be expected to demonstrate the potential scale and impact of the proposed research and, to do this, you might like to consider adopting the following approaches:

       
• Comparative (multi-country or multi-setting) studies
       
• Studies with generalisable research findings
       
• Studies that include cost-effectiveness analyses
       
• Mixed method studies
       
• Primary and/or secondary data approaches
       
• Robust innovative methodologies that advance research in humanitarian settings
       
• Formative Research to conduct preliminary studies needed before a larger research study can be designed. This year we have introduced a new Formative research stream, alongside our existing Open research.

Formative research

This year we have introduced a new Formative research stream, alongside our existing Open research. Funding of up to £100,000 is available for research which will inform a larger study. Activities must be conducted over a maximum of 24 months.

What defines a 'humanitarian crisis'

Humanitarian crises can include conflict-affected locations, natural disasters and complex emergencies. Humanitarian settings also include refugee or IDP camps/settlements, including in protracted crises, and refugees or IDPs living in urban settings. A full definition is available in our Call Guidelines.

Open call for research

This is an Open Call but applications must have a research team including both a research institution and an operational humanitarian organisation to be eligible. We will consider applications from any legally registered not-for-profit body across the globe.

Our Annual Call has a two-stage selection process: an initial Expression of Interest stage, and a subsequent Full Proposal stage for shortlisted applicants. Successful Full Proposals will have up to 36 months(24 months for Formative research) in which to undertake the research and uptake activities.

Key documents: Essential reading for those applying for this grant.

       
• Annual Call 2020 Guidelines - English and French.
       
• Annual Call 2020 FAQs -English and French.

Background resources: Additional resources to help you prepare your research proposal.

       
• Humanitarian Health Evidence Review
       
• Updated Ethics Tool and introduction to the tool.
       
• Research Uptake and Guidance Note
       
• Evidence Review of Gender-Based Violence Research Methodologies (if conducting a relevant project)

Video: Introduction to R2HC Annual Call 2020

This video provides an introduction to our R2HC Annual Call 2020.

There are four further videos in this series, hosted by Simon, our R2HC Portfolio Manager, which summarise:

       
• the scope of our Annual Call 2020
       
• eligibility criteria
       
• how to submit a strong proposal
       
• application process and timeline.

Watch the full video series here.

[.slimline-cta-box][.slimline-cta_heading]Seed Funding[.slimline-cta_heading][.slimline-cta_paragraph]A key requirement for applying for this funding is the existence of a research partnership between humanitarian and academic organisations. In order to foster these partnerships, we offer Seed Funding to all applicants successful at the Expression of Interest stage. Seed Funding is a unique feature of the programme, enabling shortlisted applicants to:

       
• Strengthen Partnerships - funding can be used to convene an in-person meeting between the different research partners. Ipas used the Seed Funding to strengthen the relationship between the organisation and their partners. The project’s Principal Investigator, Tamara Fetters, describes some of the benefits of Seed funding and what it enabled them to do.
       
• Strengthen Proposals - Seed Funding can be used to cover the costs of extra visits to the potential study sites to undertake further consultation or assess any feasibility and security concerns. Dr Sarah Paige, from the University of Wisconsin, used the money to arrange a visit to Sierra Leone so she could strengthen and formalise their partnerships with in-country organisations.
       
• Strengthen Research – Seed Funding may be used to collect preliminary data that can help finalise the research methodology and details for the full proposal. An IRC-led research team produced and published a literature review to support their seed fund workshop.

We strongly encourage recipients to use these funds to bring together their research team members to work out respective roles and responsibilities. This provides research consortia with the best chance of success once funded.

Applying for Seed Funding: When submitting you Expression of Interest (EOI) you can choose to be considered for Seed Funding. Applicants who’s EOIs are successfully shortlisted will then be eligible for the Seed Funding grants. Our team will be in touch with successful applicants with the details of how they can request Seed Funding support.[.slimline-cta_paragraph][.slimline-cta-box]