Insight
Request for Research Proposals
Request for Research Proposals | Learning from Local Peacebuilding Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa
Release Date: October 1, 2021
RFP Due Date: 8:00 pm EST on November 12, 2021
The RESOLVE Network Secretariat, based at the United States Institute of Peace, is soliciting proposals for new research on local peacebuilding practices in Sub-Saharan Africa. This research will be part of a new RESOLVE initiative, Learning from Local Peacebuilding Approaches, in partnership with the USAID Bureau for Africa. Successful applicants will propose to conduct new, field-based research that can assist policymakers and practitioners in better understanding the success and failure of local peacebuilding efforts on the continent and clarify the potential role of international donors and partners in supporting local peace efforts. The final research outputs will be published as RESOLVE Research Reports.
Specifically, we welcome research proposals around four thematic areas related to local peacebuilding practice in Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Youth and peacebuilding
- Trauma in peacebuilding and Trauma-informed peacebuilding
- Climate change and peacebuilding
- Migration and peacebuilding
Proposals must include a field-based research component in at least one country in Sub-Saharan Africa, but studies involving comparative research designs are also welcome. Area of geographic focus within the region is open, but successful proposals will make a clear case for the relevance (substantively and in policy terms) of their field research site to the thematic area. We welcome submissions employing a variety of research methodologies, but are especially interested in proposals that undertake original data collections using an appropriate mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, or that supplement qualitative and ethnographic methods with quantitative analysis using available data (Afrobarometer, ACLED, etc). We also welcome proposals that examine peacebuilding issues and contexts that bridge or cut across thematic areas. Examples might include (but are not limited to) the challenges of building peace in communities impacted by climate-driven migration, trauma-informed peacebuilding in the context of youth participants in violence, or the role of diaspora youth in local peacebuilding.
FAQs
Are there any restrictions on who may submit proposals based on type of institution or organizational affiliation?
No, there are no restrictions of this type. However, prior experience and the capacity to undertake the type of research requested will be evaluated according to the criteria set out in the call for proposals.
Are there any restrictions on who may submit proposals based on nationality or location
No, there are no restrictions of this type. However, please note that the research project is required to include a field-based component in Sub-Saharan Africa as described in the call for proposals.
Do I need to have a partner located in Sub-Saharan Africa?
No, it is not required to have a partner located in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, please note that the research project is required to include a field-based component in Sub-Saharan Africa as described in the call for proposals.
How long do you expect the final research paper to be?
The final length may change depending on the needs of the project and input from RESOLVE, but in general we would expect that the final paper would be between 8,000-10,000 words.
Is RESOLVE able to support quantitative analysis?
While RESOLVE will provide input and feedback on methodology and findings, we are not able to provide support by performing quantitative analysis.
Is my proposed research project focus too narrow OR can I change the thematic focus?
The call for proposals is open within the range of criteria provided, including geographic focus within Sub-Saharan Africa and relevance to the four themes identified as they relate to peacebuilding and possibly one another: youth, trauma, climate-change, and migration. RESOLVE will provide feedback on topics as part of both the selection and research processes, but proposals are welcome with any focus relevant to these areas.
Is it possible to subcontract the data collection/fieldwork to local researchers?
It is possible, as the call for proposals allows for research assistants and advisors to be subcontracted on a limited basis. However, please also note that the project description includes an expectation of field-based research, and the capacity to conduct that research will be part of the proposal evaluation.
What should be included in the references submitted with the proposal?
These should follow the criteria set out in the call for proposals under submission requirements for past experience. In sum, offerors are required to describe at least two projects of similar scope and complexity that they have worked on previously, and to provide a point of contact with telephone number and email address for each of the described projects. Please see page 5 of the call for proposals for more detailed information.
I see that the topic "migration and peacebuilding" is included on page 3 but not page 4. Is it still considered one of the core themes?
Yes. This omission was an error in the initial version of the call for proposals that was sent out, which has since been updated.
In Submission Requirements for the overall approach and methodology, are offerors supposed to provide a project background?
No. This section refers to the project background provided by RESOLVE to potential offerors at the beginning of the call for proposals document.
For more detailed information and submission requirements, please read the full request for proposals here.
For offerors, please use the provided budget templates (in U.S. Dollars or in non-U.S. Dollar currencies)
For any further media inquiries please contact resolve@resolvenet.org