Call for Applications: Research Grants on Urban Climate Resilience
Applications are now open for the GDPC Small Research Grants Program.
The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) is pleased to announce the launch of its small research grants program, focused on the theme climate resilience in urban areas. This initiative aims to deepen our understanding of urban climate resilience by supporting original research in low- and middle-income countries. The program is designed to expand the evidence base and contribute to building more resilient urban environments in the face of climate change.
Apply by November 12, 2024
Don’t wait—submit your application now!
Program Overview
The GDPC small research grants program provides funding to university researchers for projects focused on climate resilience in urban areas within selected topics. This program specifically supports scholars who traditionally have limited access to funding, with grants available exclusively to researchers from low- and middle-income countries.
Awards provide up to $10,000 USD for research lasting up to eight months, with a completion deadline of September 30, 2025. This program supports applied and impactful research that can inform policy, planning, humanitarian programming, community action, and so on. Research must be original, and plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification at any stage of the grant process. For more details, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Background
Cities are home to over half of the global population, with 4.4 billion people living in urban areas. By 2050, urban areas are expected to accommodate an additional 2.5 billion people, with nearly 90% of this growth concentrated in Asia and Africa. While urban centers are significant contributors to climate change due to rapid growth and high emissions, they are also increasingly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, leading to rising human and economic losses.
The greatest increase in urban vulnerability is occurring in low- and middle-income nations, particularly in unplanned and informal settlements. These areas often have limited capacity to adapt to climate risks, and many small to medium-sized urban centers lack the necessary resources to respond effectively. Despite these challenges, cities are not just on the frontlines of climate impacts, but they are also hubs for innovation and solutions.
This research program aims to deepen our understanding of urban climate resilience, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. By supporting original research, the program seeks to expand knowledge and evidence on diverse pathways to climate resilience across multiple levels—ranging from governance and socio-economic drivers to community-led innovations and nature-based solutions in cities of different sizes.
Research Topics
The program seeks to stimulate new knowledge in priority research questions under the following topics:
Topic 1
Community-Led Climate Adaptation and Resilience Solutions in Cities
- Topic 1.1: Community-driven innovations for adaptation. What are the success factors for community-led innovative strategies and solutions for climate adaptation in urban areas, including technology-enabled solutions.
- Topic 1.2: Participatory urban planning. How do participatory approaches in urban planning contribute to climate resilience, and what evidence demonstrates their effectiveness and best practices.
Topic 2
Socio-Economic and Institutional Drivers of Climate Resilience in Cities
- Topic 2.1: Socio-economic pathways to resilience. Effectiveness and success factors for different types of socio-economic incentives and 'boosts' to climate resilience of individuals, households, and small businesses, particularly in the informal sector in cities. Examples of such ‘boosts’ include one-time cash grants, micro-insurance, rotating credits or loans, tax incentives, matched funds, support for cooperatives, and support from social safety nets, etc.
- Topic 2.2: Urban climate governance. What is the role of cities in climate governance, and what are the strategies and institutional frameworks that support and/or hinder effective and equitable climate action in different urban contexts
Topic 3
Urban Ecosystems for Resilience
- Topic 3.1: Climate-Resilient Urban Ecosystem. What constitutes a climate-resilient urban ecosystem, its key features and components, how it functions, and how it can be cultivated or restored in different urban contexts.
- Topic 3.2: Community-based approaches to Nature-Based Climate Solutions. Assessing effectiveness and strategies for implementing and scaling impactful nature-based solutions at the local level in urban areas.
Eligibility
Selection Criteria
Eligible proposals will be reviewed by an expert panel consisting of representatives from GDPC, IFRC, and other humanitarian organizations. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Scientific merit and rigor, clearly demonstrating how the proposed research advances current knowledge and fills critical gaps.
Relevance and the alignment of the proposed research with one of the defined research topics, demonstrating a clear understanding of the research question and how the project contributes to the program’s overall objectives.
Potential impact and applicability of research in informing policy and practice to more effectively take action in strengthening climate resilience.
A thorough understanding of potential ethical concerns and implications associated with the research, along with strategies to mitigate and address these issues.
Qualifications and expertise of the Principal Investigator and key co-investigators (if applicable) to carry out the proposed research. This includes an assessment of the research team’s capability and relevant experience in implementing the proposed project projects, supported by evidence of relevant skills and a proven track record in delivering similar projects.
Reasonable and realistic budget proposal, including a detailed expense breakdown. For details on eligible and ineligible costs, refer to the FAQ section of this page.
A clear and achievable timeline demonstrating the ability to complete and submit the final research paper by September 30, 2025, or earlier.
Added Value
Cross-collaboration and partnership between various institutions. Letter of support from a relevant partner institution should be included in the application.
Program Timeline
Application Deadline
Proposal Evaluation
Award Notification
Research Period
Final Paper Submission
We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the deadline and not waiting until the last days to avoid potential technical issues.
Application Submission
The deadline for submitting applications for the current research call is 12 November 2024 (23:59 UTC). Applications must be submitted through the following application form. The complete application package must include:
- Applicant Information: This includes professional affiliation details. Student applicants must provide a letter of support from their faculty supervisor.
- Project Summary: A concise project abstract and key information.
- Project Description: This form should detail the research background, rationale, objectives, methodology, scientific merit, broader impact, and ethical considerations. Use the provided Project Description template (Microsoft Word or Google Docs). The project description must not exceed 5 pages (A4 size, Arial 11-point font, single line spacing, 1-inch margins), NOT counting references and the project timeline.
- Budget: A budget proposal in US Dollars, including a detailed breakdown of expenses and budget justification.
- Research Team Composition: Include information about the Principal Investigator (PI) and key co-investigators, along with their CVs.
- Letters of Collaboration: For projects involving partnerships with institutions or organizations outside the applicant's primary affiliation, a letter of support from each partner institution is required.
Application Form
Deadline of application: November 12, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The research grants are limited to US$ 10,000.
Eligible and Ineligible Costs Guidelines
The grant funds may only be used for expenses directly related to the proposed research project. Below is a breakdown of eligible and ineligible costs:
Personnel Costs:
Eligible:
- Funds may be used to compensate part-time staff, office staff, graduate students, and other personnel directly supporting the research project.
Ineligible:
- Funds may NOT be used to supplement the salaries of full-time scientists, administrators, or administrative staff not directly engaged in the project.
Data Collection & Analysis:
Eligible:
- Survey or interview costs, including participant incentives.
- Leasing or renting equipment for the duration of the project.
- Purchase of equipment that remains in the department to enhance long-term research capacity.
- Software or tools needed for data collection, analysis, and conducting the research.
Ineligible:
- Costs for data collection unrelated to the project or non-essential software.
- Equipment or software that will become the personal property of an individual researcher after the project’s completion.
Travel:
Eligible:
- Travel essential to the project, using the most economical mode of transport.
- Airfare at economy rate (if possible), with further details provided in the final contract.
- Transportation between the airport and hotel by the most economical means.
- Rental or hiring of vehicles for fieldwork in remote locations.
- Costs for airport taxes, visas, and necessary inoculations.
- Per diems may be provided to project team members for necessary travel requiring overnight stays, covering accommodation and daily allowances.
Ineligible:
- Upgrades to business or first-class airfare.
- Personal phone calls during travel.
- Excess baggage fees, unless related to project-specific items.
- Personal side trips or unrelated travel.
Administrative Overhead
Eligible:
- Administrative overhead or indirect costs, up to 10% of the total grant.
Ineligible:
- Overhead or indirect costs exceeding the 10% limit, or unrelated general institutional expenses.
Other Expenses:
Eligible:
- Costs for printing, copying, communication, and rental of meeting rooms for project-related activities.
Ineligible:
- Entertainment, hospitality, or social event costs unrelated to research dissemination.
The budget proposal for the research project should be in US dollars and should include a breakdown of expenses.
For exchange rate information please see Oanda Currency Converter.
Researchers are allowed to use AI tools as a supportive aid for improving writing. However, all intellectual contributions and research outcomes must be the result of human effort and expertise. If generative AI (GenAI) tools are used, researchers must clearly indicate in the project proposal the extent and manner in which these tools contributed to the development of their proposal or research deliverables.
Proposers are fully responsible for ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of their work, even when AI tools are used. Any breach of research integrity—such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism—whether in proposals or final reports funded by GDPC, may result in disqualification at any stage. Since GenAI tools can create risks of research misconduct, proposers and awardees must ensure that the integrity of their work and the reporting of research results are maintained.
Low- and middle-income countries for this research grants program are defined based on the country classifications provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Yes, you are eligible to apply for the research grants program if you are if you are a national of a low- or middle-income country, even if you currently reside in a high-income country. However, please keep in mind that your research project must focus on addressing issues within a low- or middle-income country context.
All of the countries on this list are eligible for grants, including upper-middle income countries (but not high-income country).
All of the countries on this list are eligible for grants, including least developed countries.
Yes, international collaborations and partnerships between various institutions are encouraged. A letter of support from a relevant partner institution should be included in the application.
While the program is primarily focused on researchers from low- and middle-income countries, collaborations with researchers from high-income countries or institutions are not explicitly prohibited. However, the primary applicant must be from a low- or middle-income country, and the research should primarily address the needs and challenges of last mile communities in those countries.
Yes, researchers are encouraged to disseminate their research findings through academic journals or conferences. Publishing your findings in reputable journals or presenting them at conferences can contribute to the expansion of the evidence base and knowledge in the field. However, it is important to ensure that any publication or presentation acknowledges the support received from the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC).
No, there are no specific restrictions on the research methods or approaches that can be used. Researchers are encouraged to approach their projects with creativity and innovation and choose their preferred methods and approaches. However, it is important to ensure that the chosen methods and approaches are appropriate for addressing the research questions and objectives outlined in the proposal.
While the program does not provide explicit guidelines on ethics, it is important for researchers to ensure that their studies adhere to ethical principles. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting their privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm or risks associated with the research. Researchers should also consider the ethical implications of their research on the communities and ensure that their work promotes inclusivity and respect.
The program welcomes both completely new research projects and extensions of ongoing studies. However, if it is an extension of a previous study, the proposal should clearly outline how the new research project builds upon and expands the existing work.
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