Response to Requests for Clarification

Q: Who can apply/Who are eligible/Are we eligible?

A: Potential grant recipients under this scheme are Norwegian and foreign non-profit research institutions. Research institutions are organizations dedicated to systematic, scientific research investigation and discovery, aiming to advance knowledge, solve problems, and foster innovation in a specific field. The applicant must be a legal entity. Accurate and comprehensive information about the organizational form must be provided. All applications must comply with the OECD/DAC criteria for Official Development Assistance (ODA). Eligibility will not be assessed prior to submission of a full proposal, and no applicant has a legal entitlement to funding under this scheme, even if they are deemed eligible. This applies even if all formal and substantive criteria for the award of a grant are met. 

Q: We are a non-profit NGO/a small aid project/organization in country xxx, can we apply?

A: This call is aimed at research institutions and a call for a Knowledge center for aid only. The call explicitly states that we are looking for a highly competent research environment with documented research contributions in Norwegian and international development research, including randomized controlled impact studies. So, if your proposal does not describe the development and management of such a center in detail, it will fall short in the assessment compared to other proposals. Note here that Norad expects to enter into only one (1) grant agreement based on this call. In any case, eligibility will not be assessed prior to submission of a full proposal, and no applicant has a legal entitlement to funding under this scheme, even if they are deemed eligible. This applies even if all formal and substantive criteria for the award of a grant are met. 

Q: I wish to have access to the Grant Portal for our application / Applicants are required to be affiliated with an eligible organization in order to proceed. We kindly request your guidance on this requirement, as well as any further information on the appropriate process and possible support.

A: The applicant must be a legal entity. Questions related to technical issues with the Grants Portal and how to register your organization must be sent to: support.grants.portal@norad.no

Q: Does Norad cover indirect costs? Can such cost exceed 7%?

A: Yes, Norad covers indirect operating costs. Support for indirect operating costs shall be limited to a maximum of 7% of the actual operating costs. Rates beyond this will seldom be accepted and must thus be specifically justified.

Q: We understand that the call is intended for a highly qualified lead applicant, but we would like to express our strong interest in participating as a partner in a consortium application. Could you kindly advise whether Norad is aware of Norwegian institutions or consortia currently seeking partners for this call, or the best way for our organization to signal availability and readiness to join a consortium application.

A: We encourage consortia to apply, but we cannot help facilitate the establishment of consortia for this call.

Q: In the call for proposals, it says that the Theory of Change and the Knowledge Plan must be uploaded as separate attachments. However, in the template for the project description in the application portal, it is set up so that the Theory of Change is included in the project description. All of these elements are closely interlinked, and it is natural to integrate them into one document. Is it acceptable that both the Theory of Change and the Knowledge Plan are included as part of the project description? If yes, should these sections still be extracted and uploaded as separate attachments?

A: All mandatory documents must be uploaded as separate attachments in order for the application to be formally approved for a full review. The info presented in the attachments can also be integrated/presented in the project description.

Q: In the call for proposals, it is stated: The grant recipient shall identify key risk factors that may negatively affect the cross-cutting considerations and show how these will be analyzed and managed throughout the entire intervention cycle. The grant recipient shall also identify how the cross-cutting considerations are safeguarded in the interventions proposed. In the portal, however, a more brief assessment of cross-cutting issues is requested (risk, probability, consequence, risk-reducing measures). What instruction should we follow? Is it sufficient to fill in the table requested in the portal?

A: It is sufficient to complete the form in the portal, but reflections on cross-cutting issues can also be included in the application/project description.

Q: Could you please confirm which countries are eligible under this specific call? I was unable to find a clear list of eligible countries in the call description.

A: There is no list of eligible countries. The priority target group for the Knowledge Centre is civil society actors operating in ODA-eligible countries, as well as the groups they represent, and groups intended to benefit from planned interventions.

Q: Regarding the following pre-requisite, “Applicants must also be able to document the following:

- A large, well-established network with Norwegian and foreign civil society actors and broad contacts within the Norwegian and international civil society sector.

- Well-established research networks with Norwegian and foreign research organisations, including networks in the Global South.”

Does that mean that a Norwegian organization must be part of the consortium OR that the Consortium (the applicant) should be in contact with such networks where there are Norwegian organizations (with no obligation for them to be part of the consortium)?

A: It means just what it stated, the applicants must be able to document that they have a large, well-established network with Norwegian and foreign civil society actors and broad contacts within the Norwegian and international civil society sector. I.e., the applicant should be in contact with networks where there are Norwegian and international organizations. It is not a requirement that a Norwegian organization must be part of a consortium.

Q: In the application in the portal, the call states that all requested documents must be uploaded, including separate documents for:  

• Theory of change with knowledge base
• Knowledge plan

Do these documents have to be uploaded instead of the “Result Framework” part in the portal? Or both have to be uploaded ?

A: Separate, uploaded documents for "Theory of change with knowledge base", "Results framework" and "Knowledge plan" are mandatory.

Q: Knowledge plan. What is a Knowledge plan? Could you please provide more details.

A: You find descriptions of Theory of change, Results framework and Knowledge plan here: 4. Application | Norad.no

Q: Is there a requirement for 10% own contribution / co-funding?   

A: The requirement for a 10% contribution does not apply to this call.

See also: frequently asked questions