SRG Frequently Asked Questions

Find out the answers to frequently asked questions on our application process.

Applications

How can I apply for a Small Research Grant?

Applications for an SRG should be submitted through the CEPR Hub. Instructions on what to do before and while applying are available here.

Who can apply for a Small Research Grant?

STEG invites applications from researchers located anywhere in the world.

Are there specific affiliation requirements?

There are no strict affiliation requirements for individuals applying for SRGs. Please note, however, that these grants are intended to fund academic research rather than supporting programmes.

Can I apply as a team?

Yes, you may apply as a team. Indeed, we encourage collaboration between academics and in-country specialists. However, only one researcher should submit the proposal as the representative of the team. That individual is the named individual on the contract and is responsible for the project implementation, should the application be successful.

Do I need a senior collaborator?

Only if she or he will make a necessary and substantive contribution to the work. (Don’t include someone who will be nothing more than a silent partner.) We encourage and are eager to fund strong applications from less established researchers, including junior faculty, postdocs, and PhD students. We also enthusiastically welcome submissions from less represented demographics and from those in low-income countries. We do not believe that the so-called top-tier departments have a monopoly on good research, and we consequently encourage applications from researchers across the entire profession.

Does applying for a Larger Research Grant preclude someone from also applying for a Small Research Grant?

Applying for an LRG does not preclude one from applying for a SRG.

Is there a deadline for proposal submission?

Yes. Deadlines and subsequent reviews usually take place two to three times per year and so it is best to submit proposals in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The deadlines for upcoming calls is available on the STEG website and newsletter and will be clearly advertised for any open calls. 

Can I submit more than one proposal to a funding call?

No person can be the principal investigator (PI) on two different proposals within the same SRG funding call. However, it is permitted for a person to be PI for one proposal while only being a co-investigator (Co-I) for another.

Can I submit to both an SRG funding call and a PhD funding call that are running concurrently?

No, PhD students must decide whether to submit their application to either the SRG or PhD funding call.

Should STEG research proposals be based on a purely economic and quantitative approach, or is there scope for applications involving other methods and disciplines to be considered?

The programme is open to mixed/multi-disciplinary approaches. However, the core of the approach should be related to the literature in economics and should be grounded primarily in economic issues.

Can I apply for funding to work on a theory paper?

It is possible, but you will need to very carefully justify why the project is relevant to policy in LICs.

When will applicants be notified of the call's results?

The aim is to notify applicants within three months of the proposal deadline.

Can a rejected proposal be resubmitted?

Only those who have been explicitly invited to do so may resubmit a previously unsuccessful proposal. The purpose of the ‘by invitation’ policy is to allow for amendments and/or improvements to proposals that the Evaluation Committee considers have the potential to be funded.

There is no guarantee that a resubmitted proposal will be successful.

Proposals must be resubmitted through the CEPR Hub online application portal identifying themselves as resubmissions during the process and detailing the changes that have been made in the relevant text box.


Budgets

What criteria should the project budget comply with?

The SRG Budget Guidelines are available at the bottom of this page.

Can I include a payment for myself in the budget?

Research stipends are eligible costs under STEG to the extent that PIs and Co-Is are directly involved in providing services to the project. Stipends should only be requested if they allow the researcher(s) to reduce teaching/administrative duties and therefore free up time for research. Individual eligibility depends upon seniority and location:

  • Stipends for senior researchers located in upper-middle and high-income countries are not funded under the SRG programme.
  • Stipends are capped at £12,000 for PhD students in programmes located in high-income countries and the PPP equivalent for PhD students in programmes located in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Stipends for up to 9 months of time are allowed for researchers in lower-income countries.

All research stipend costs will be evaluated for their value for money and may require further justification or amendments before being approved by CEPR.

What can be included under equipment?

It is expected that researchers and institutions provide their own IT equipment such as tablets, mobile phones, laptops, and computers for the duration of the project. In exceptional circumstances these can be included in the budget, but strong justification will be required, and a maximum of £500 for items of equipment will be applied.


Contracting

With whom are SRG contracts signed?

Individuals apply for SRGs, and the grants are issued through a contract between CEPR and the successful applicant directly. In exceptional circumstances, a contract with an institution can be issued, but the contract will be non-negotiable, and the institution cannot take any overheads.

What is the average contract length of a Small Research Grant?

SRGs typically run for 12 months. Formal requests for extension can be submitted with sufficient justification.

Is the start date of the project negotiable? Is it possible to ask for a delayed start date?

Yes, with sufficient justification. However, consideration will be given to the extent of the delay, which may have a bearing on the decision.

What are the preferred outputs for the Small Research Grants? Would it be in the form of a paper/report, policy briefing or academic journal article?

Projects are expected to produce high-quality academic papers as the primary output. However, a policy brief should also be produced, to highlight the policy-relevant results.

Application Templates and Useful Documents