Grant to research and civil society

As a response to the increased commitment to improve and demonstrate results in Norwegian development cooperation, a pilot research program was launched by Norad in January 2011. 

The main objective of the program is to stimulate research aiming at creating new relevant knowledge of high quality on the effects of developing cooperation and humanitarian work carried out by actors in civil society.  A total sum of five million Norwegian kroner was committed to the pilot program.

Norad received in total 31 applications from 26 different research institutions totaling 22,7 million NOK. Each proposal could not exceed NOK 750.000.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the applications were evaluated by three different entities; department of civil society and department for research and education in Norad and an external referee from the south. The external referee is anonymous in the formal documents (based on recommendation from the research council).  Each entity made an assessment of the applications and the various results were compared and discussed leading to a consensus on the final decision. 

The decision-making process took place in the period of May 1 to June 10 2011.

Norad ascertain that there were quite a number of interesting, relevant and good quality applications for this pilot scheme. Norad have granted 8 applications totaling 5,4 million NOK for funding as follows: