Call for proposals: African policy research institutions to advance government use of evidence

The Hewlett Foundation’s Evidence-Informed Policymaking strategy focuses on an ambitious, long-term goal: governments systematically use evidence to improve social and economic policies over time.

Eligibility Requirements

Any organization applying as a single organization or as a lead organization must meet the following requirements:

1. Conduct social and economic policy research as a core part of institutional mandate.
2. Be headquartered in East or West Africa.
3. Meet at least of three of the following four criteria:
   1. Has been in operation for at least three years.
   2. Has had annual operating budget of at least $1 million in each of the last three years.
   3. Has received at least one grant from a U.S. private foundation, bilateral donor (including research councils), or multilateral development institution in at least one of the last three years.
   4. Is a registered charity in its home country.

Partner organizations may be almost any kind of organization because the intent is that lead organizations have the freedom to work with whomever they believe will best contribute to project goals.

However, the following types of organizations are NOT eligible to apply as single, lead, or partner organizations:

• Scientific research organizations, including those with a focus on engineering; physical and biological sciences; animal, crop and forestry research; biomedical research; or national security. Organizations that conduct economic or social research related to scientific issues – for example, on human behavior-change related to disease prevention or climate change– ARE eligible to apply.
• Government entities (other than research centers at public universities). While we recognize that government actors are an important part of the evidence-informed policymaking field, we are not able to provide financial support to those entities under this call for proposals. However, because the goal is for governments to use evidence for policymaking, we do expect that many applicants will work closely with government entities throughout the grant period.