Azim Premji University’s Research Grant Programme:

Strengthening the Understanding of Societal Processes

RESEARCH GRANT
Call for Proposals
As part of Azim Premji University’s efforts to strengthen and elevate the state of
understanding of societal processes and outcomes we are launching the second round of our
Research Grant Programme. This is designed to promote inquiry into areas of particular
interest to the Foundation and to explore possible responses for some of them.
We invite high quality research proposals that examine significant questions of public
concern in the areas of education, public policy and governance and development and
sustainability. For this cycle, we invite high quality proposals in the following 5 areas that
address important issues of public concern
Education and Allied Areas
Law and Legal System in India
Policy and Governance
Urban Governance and Sustainability
Labour, Livelihoods and Employment

The grant programme is designed to strengthen and supplement our existing efforts in these
areas. While we are open to any broad consideration within the area, the research should be
empirically grounded, and be able to inform practice and policy.
The duration of projects can range from 1 to 3 years, and the size of the research grants from
Rs.5 to 20 lakhs.
Interested applicants should submit the following via the online portal below which will be
open on January 1st, 2018:

 CV for all investigators

 Short concept note of not more than 3 pages
 Budget Breakdown
 Anticipated timeline

Please note that the portal will remain available until the January 30th 2018, the last date for
submissions. This deadline is strict.
The concept note and proposal should both indicate why the study is needed, highlight its
significance, clearly identify the research objectives/questions, and outline the methodology
to be employed. In particular, it should indicate why the research is of general significance
and addresses the particular concerns laid out in the terms of reference. Applicants should
have demonstrated competency and qualifications to undertake the research in the
proposed area. Applicants should read the terms of reference for each area before applying
and ensure that the proposal aligns with the specifications. Please note that a proposal that is
outside the scope of the specific areas of research will not be considered further. Accordingly
please ensure that your proposal addresses the concerns highlighted in each theme and
indicate how your proposals specifically seeks to engage with them.
All proposals will undergo an internal review at the outset. Those deemed to be particularly
promising will then be sent for an extensive external review that may take up to 2 months.
Grants will be awarded primarily to individuals or teams affiliated with academic institutions,
think tanks, NGOs and other centers of vital research both in India and elsewhere. We
encourage scholars and researchers in the fields of education, public policy, economics,
political science, sociology, anthropology, history, law and the sciences to submit grant
proposals.

Schedule

Last date for submission of Concept Notes January 30th, 2018

Indication of initial interest February 28th, 2018

Last date for submission of Full Proposal March 30th, 2018

Proposals sent for review March 30th - May 30th, 2018

Decisions Made May 30th, 2018

Projects Start date July, 2018

APPLY HERE - This link will work between 1st and 30th January, 2018.
Please direct any queries to research.grants@apu.edu.in
POLICY AND GOVERNANCE

We invite original and innovative research proposals in the fields of Public

Administration, Public Policy, and Governance studies in India. Research proposals should
ask questions that align with one or more of the following broad themes: (a) examine
actors in their multiple roles within specific social and institutional contexts, (b) focus on
the histories of specific policies and/or governance and administrative institutions in
India, (c) discuss contemporary policy initiatives and their effects, (d) analyze
transformations in state-citizen interface, particularly with respect to technology enabled
and/or last mile governance, (e) innovation in research designs and/or measurement
techniques in program evaluation and implementation. We expect proposals that adopt
robust and innovative (social and technological) methodologies - either qualitative or
quantitative or both - and include theoretical and/or field based approaches.

In previous years our grants have supported: Corruption, Lobbying and Economic
Development in India Transformation of Elite Power and Democracy in Rural India Politics
of Crime and Infrastructure Development

Deadline: 30 January 2018

Azim Premji University is seeking proposals for its Research Grant programme with an
aim to strengthen and elevate the state of understanding of societal processes and
outcomes. This is designed to promote inquiry into areas of particular interest to the
Foundation and to explore possible responses for some of them.
Priority Areas
 Education and Allied Areas
 Law and the Legal System in India
 Policy and Governance
 Urban Governance and Sustainability
 Labour, Livelihoods and Employment

Grant Information
The duration of projects can range from 1 to 3 years, and the size of the research grants
from Rs.5 to 20 lakhs.

Eligibility Criteria
 Grants will be awarded primarily to individuals or teams affiliated with academic
institutions, think tanks, NGOs and other centers of vital research both in India and
elsewhere. They encourage scholars and researchers in the fields of education,
public policy, economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, history, law and
the sciences to submit grant proposals.
 The grant programme invites high quality research proposals that examine
significant questions of public concern in the areas of education, public policy and
governance and development and sustainability.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply online via given website and also submit the required
documents:
 Basic details and CVs for all Principal Investigators
 Short Concept Note of not more than 3 pages
 Budget breakdown by financial year
 Anticipated timeline

For more information, please visit Research Grant Programme.