Introduction
The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) under the auspices of Impact Evaluation
Laboratory funded by William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is pleased to announce ; competitive
call for concept notes from eligible Tanzanian researchers. This call for concept notes under small
grants initiative complements other ESRF’s approaches for capacity development on impact
evaluation research. In this regard, the call accepts concept notes prepared using rigorous and
creative methods of impact evaluation such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), instrumental
variables, regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, among other rigorous IE methods.
The call is open to diverse themes/subject areas (agriculture, health, education, governance,
political science etc.) of interest to researchers.
Who May Apply for a Research Grant?
The call targets at building the capacity of junior and mid-career researchers interested with
sharpening research skills using rigorous methods of impact evaluation. The call accepts concept
notes prepared by individual researchers as well as those prepared jointly by a team of researchers.
Teaming up with international researchers is allowed provided that the Lead/Principal Investigator
(PI) is a local researcher. Research concept notes for projects undertaken as part of degree
programs (Master or PhD theses) must be declared as such. This declaration should include
providing a proof of by registration and endorsement by the supervisor of the applicant’s
institution.
Those interested can submit a comprehensive and well thought concept note, that should not
exceed five pages (excluding annexes) presented as follows:
Background: Put the study in perspective by indicating some few and catch facts
(information) highlighting rationale/motivation for undertaking the study. (Some writers
would like to combine background and problem statement which is acceptable to us).
Problem statement: clearly state the problem that motivates the proposed study,
including evidence of the development challenges to be addressed. Will the proposed
research attempt to evaluate a specific program or intervention? Succinctly describe the
questions you seek to answer.
Unique contribution to literature: what knowledge gaps are you addressing and how
will it advance the field of research?
Target population: characterize and describe the population that the intervention seeks to impact. Do other population face the same conditions as your target population?
Description of the treatment(s): describe the intervention that you will design or test
and your theory of change.
Evaluation design: describe the evaluation design, how will you identify the counter factual? What are the unit of analysis? What are the immediate and outcome indicators? How will these be measured? Describe the research design and analysis plan in a nutshell.
Research translation: how will other development practitioners become aware of the results of the proposed evaluation? Outline brief dissemination plan to reach key audiences.
Team members: Provide names, position in the assignment and area of expertise of the
team members
Workplan: provide your plan for undertaking your study. The maximum duration of the study should be 1 year.
Application Procedures:
Application deadline is Sunday 19 March 2023.
Applications are to be submitted electronically to ESRF through email address
[email protected] and copy to [email protected] with subject “Small Grants Initiative for
Capacity Development on Impact Evaluation Research”
Applications should be accompanied with copies of resume/CVs for applicants.
Applications should be accompanied with proposed budget whose ceiling is TZS 12,000,000
Applicants who show potential may be mentored by our senior researchers to improve their
concept note. Applicants in need of further information are advised to contact Mr. Zakayo
Zakaria through telephone # +255 (0) 712 918 771 or Mr. Said Rashid through telephone 0672 620 231
