Call for proposals: Explore research implementation grants
Explore is recruiting researchers from research institutes and universities in Southeast Asia to submit research proposals on forest landscape governance. All research grants awarded by Explore aim to support governments in using high-quality research findings to improve policies, institutional structures and frameworks, which will contribute to inclusive and sustainable development of forest landscapes in Southeast Asia.
Explore will fund selected proposals through grants and expert mentorship.
Timeline
- 28 November 2024: Call for proposals opens
- 18 December 2024: Online grant workshop offered by Explore Secretariat, open to the public (Please register)
- 31 January 2025: Deadline for submission of research proposals
- 3 February–17 March 2025: Peer review of research proposals
- 24 March 2025: Shortlisted research teams receive peer-review feedback for proposal revision
- 24 April 2025: Submit the revised proposals with peer-review responses
- 2 May 2025: Announcement of selected research proposals
- 15 May 2025: Deadline for submission of financial risk assessments and communication plans
- 30 May 2025: Grant contracts finalized
Selection process
The research implementation grant mechanism follows a six-step process:
The Explore Secretariat will use a double-blind peer-review process to shortlist proposals. This involves inviting specialized external experts with regional experience to review, comment on and evaluate the quality and feasibility of the submitted proposals. The reviewers and authors remain unaware of each other’s identities throughout the evaluation process. Three reviewers provide scientific feedback based on Explore’s guiding questions and score each research proposal using a weighted scoring system that aligns with the selection criteria. The Secretariat then compiles all the information from the reviewers and presents it to the Explore Programme Advisory Committee, which makes the final decisions on awarding research implementation grants.
Application process
To submit your proposal, complete the online application form and include all requested attachments by Friday, 31 January 2025, 17:00 Indochina Time.
Please note that only complete research proposals will be considered for evaluation. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we cannot offer detailed feedback on proposals not selected for funding in this call.
Number of grants and duration
Explore will award grants to support up to three research projects. Each grant will range from USD 80,000 to USD 83,000 and will fund research for 18 to 24 months. The grant amount for each project will be determined based on the complexity of the proposed research, the scale of the issues addressed, and the extent of transboundary approaches applied.
Applicants should request a grant amount that accurately reflects the proposed scope of research innovation, specifically in translating forest landscape governance concepts into practical solutions.
In addition to financial support, Explore will provide capacity development opportunities organized by the Explore Secretariat (a collaboration between RECOFTC and CIFOR-ICRAF). Grantees will also receive mentorship from scientific experts throughout the project implementation phase, ensuring ongoing support and guidance.
Successful research teams will be invited to join the Explore community of practice (CoP), which builds upon the foundations established during Phase I (2020–2022) of the Explore programme and being expanded during the current phase (2023–2027). This CoP provides a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among researchers.
Explore is seeking to support research that will advance forest landscape governance by integrating the following themes:
1. Biodiversity conservation and Indigenous Peoples (IP), local communities (LC) and marginalized groups
- The engagement of IPs and LCs in Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs): Investigate how efforts by IPs and LCs complement formal protected areas, enhancing ecological connectivity, biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services.
- Community-led conservation: Look into successful co-developed and co-managed conservation models where IPs and LCs are involved in conservation and benefit-sharing.
- Climate change adaptation: Investigate how IPs and LCs modify their traditional practices to respond to climate change impacts on biodiversity.
- Climate financing: Incorporate research funding mechanisms that support climate-related initiatives in biodiversity conservation.
- Land rights and biodiversity: Investigate the relationship between secure land tenure for IPs and LCs and biodiversity conservation outcomes.
- Policy, laws, governance and equity: Review existing policies or regulations that recognize Indigenous and local rights and knowledge in biodiversity conservation strategies within country contexts. Research how ongoing practices can contribute to new policies and policymaking processes.
2. Wetland forest landscape governance with a focus on mangrove forest
- Role of mangroves in climate change adaptation and mitigation: Investigate how governance frameworks and operational practices can support mangroves’ role in enhancing resilience.
- Ecosystem goods and services: Examine how communities can engage with and benefit from ecosystem services provided by mangroves, such as coastal protection and water filtration.
- Policy and governance: Analyse existing policies on mangrove conservation and restoration and examine how governance structures involving local communities and local governments support these efforts. Explore how local voices are included in policymaking, identify gaps and propose policy recommendations.
- Monitoring and assessment: Develop participatory monitoring frameworks that engage local communities in assessing the health and biodiversity of mangrove ecosystems.
Eligibility criteria
The call for proposals is open to all scientific disciplines and fields of research related to forest landscape governance.
Eligibility
- Professors, senior scientists and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with universities and think tanks/research institutes in Southeast Asia are eligible to apply.
- Principal investigators must be affiliated with a university or research institution in Southeast Asia and be a national of and reside in a Southeast Asian country.
- Women and early-career researchers are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Compliance with RECOFTC’s research implementation grant agreement and Explore’s reporting requirements is mandatory.
Team composition
- Researchers can apply as individuals or teams. There is no limit on team size, but the budget must not exceed USD 83,000.
- Teams may include researchers and other experts from universities, research institutes, the private sector, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and development agencies. At least one university or research institution from Explore focal countries must be involved.
- Teams should include early-career researchers from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The composition should aim for gender balance with at least 50 per cent women. A woman must serve as either the principal or co-principal investigator.
- Priority will be given to teams involving researchers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-Leste.
Geographic focus
- Proposals should focus on one or more of Explore’s eight focal countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
- Multi-country research projects are strongly encouraged to facilitate cross-learning and comparative analysis with a particular emphasis on including low-income countries such as Cambodia, Lao PDR and Timor-Leste.
- Proposals involving countries outside the eight focal countries are welcome, provided they address key regional forest governance challenges. These projects should integrate multidisciplinary research approaches and draw comparative lessons from both focal and non-focal countries to enhance regional understanding and cooperation.
- While not mandatory, proposals focusing on RECOFTC landscapes – Prey Lang in Cambodia, South Sulawesi in Indonesia, Nam Poui in Lao PDR, Nan in Thailand and Nghe An and Quang Nam in Viet Nam – are encouraged.
Research focus
- Researchers must demonstrate interest in conducting transboundary, interdisciplinary and participatory action research to improve forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. Research approaches should integrate gender equality and social inclusion and human rights perspectives throughout the study.
Grant recipient qualifications
- Demonstrated experience and interest in integrating gender, climate change, livelihood and human rights considerations into research, with a focus on contributing to poverty alleviation
- Flexibility and openness to employing transdisciplinary, participatory and reflexive research approaches
- Strong commitment to co-learning and collaboration with researchers and other forest landscape stakeholders on relevant issues
- Experience engaging forest governance stakeholders to collaboratively develop research ideas addressing regional issues, including multi-county learning processes such as comparative analyses or transboundary research
- Commitment to designing and implementing policy advocacy strategies based on research findings
Selection criteria
- Innovation and relevance to regional and national forest landscape governance priorities, policies and programmes developed collaboratively between universities, research organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations
- Technical quality and feasibility based on objectives, resources and time frame
- Sustainability within the biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural context
- Feasibility considering national and regional policy contexts, trends and future directions
- Relevance to other ongoing research initiatives
- Analysis of gaps and specific research issues to be addressed, methods and capacity-building requirements
- Inclusion of human rights-based approaches
- Integration of interdisciplinary, transboundary and regional approaches
- Strength of gender equality and social inclusion framework and research objectives
- Inclusion of at least one gender-related objective
- Use of inclusive methods for developing proposals
- Demonstration of expertise generated through experiences and development of knowledge for actions aimed at a transformative process
- Degree to which the proposal incorporates these elements of participatory action research:
- Inclusive development tailored to the needs and views of stakeholders through dialogue
- Cycles of reflection, learning and adaptation at all stages
- Opportunities for stakeholders to work together voluntarily, not in isolation
- Focus on achieving strategic and practical goals
Principles of ethical research
Researchers funded by or associated with Explore must adhere to ethical guidelines in their work and relationships with IPs, LCs, farmers, youth, agencies and other collaborators. This includes following the ethical guidelines and protocols of their countries and universities, as well as Explore-specific guidelines outlined below. These guidelines are designed to manage risks associated with implementing research grants and conducting field research.
Research teams working with Explore must ensure the following:
- All relevant persons and authorities are informed and necessary approvals are obtained before conducting research
- Applicable national laws, customary rules and norms and international regulations are respected throughout the research process
- Stakeholders are respected and involved in the research design to ensure it serves their interests
- Collaborating organizations, their staff members and participating community members are informed about developments and research progress and asked for ideas and feedback
- Research findings and products are made available to participants in forms that are useful to them
- Research is commissioned and conducted with respect for all societal groups regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion or culture
- Participants and human subjects are protected from undue intrusion, distress, indignity, physical discomfort, personal embarrassment and psychological or other harm
- Research is commissioned and conducted with respect for under-represented gender and social groups
- Participants and human subjects are not marginalized or excluded
- Research is commissioned and conducted with respect for and awareness of gender differences
- Stakeholder concerns are addressed and included in the research results
- An appropriate research method is selected based on informed professional expertise
- The research team has the necessary professional expertise and support
- The research process does not involve any unwarranted material gains or losses for any participants or human subjects
- Information is accurate, and falsification, fabrication, suppression or misinterpretation of data and results is prevented
- Research team members and stakeholders reflect on and share any foreseeable consequences a research engagement might cause for participants or human subjects
- Potential disadvantages that engagement or participation might cause for any individual are mitigated and alleviated
- Reporting and dissemination are conducted in a transparent and responsible manner
- Methodologies and findings are shared openly with opportunities for discussion, feedback and peer review
- Any previous research used as a source of knowledge, data, concepts and methodology is fully acknowledged in all documents, outputs and publications
- Participation in research is always voluntary and the selection process of enumerators and respondents is transparent
- Research is carried out within a reasonable time frame and at appropriate times to minimize impact on the daily routines and lives of respondents
- All decisions about participation in research are made from an informed position
- Consent forms and supporting information are provided in the native language of those involved, ensuring they are readable and understandable
- All data is managed with appropriate confidentiality and anonymity and the personal information of research subjects and key informants is protected and securely managed to ensure no risk to participants
- Explore’s research results are respected as international public goods and researchers endeavour to assume the public responsibility that such results entail
- All stakeholders involved in the research are aware of RECOFTC’s whistle-blower and grievance mechanisms and have equal access to these mechanisms
- Research teams follow best practices in cybersecurity and ensure responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Fieldwork and activities related to proposal development comply with country and project area restrictions to contain pandemics like COVID-19, safety and security, natural disasters, and measures are taken to prevent risks
The guidelines for risk mitigation are reviewed and improved with input from research teams, other Explore network members and the Programme Advisory Committee ahead of awarding and implementing research implementation grants.
Grant administration
Arrangements
Explore administers research implementation grants through a lead principal investigator in the research team, typically from a university or research institution. Grant administrators are responsible for receiving, disbursing, monitoring and reporting on the use of Explore funds. Research partners are co-principal investigators within a research team receiving grant allocations for collaborative research under the lead partner’s guidance. The Explore Secretariat selects the most cost-effective methods of transferring funds to lead principal investigators. Grant administrators must submit their university/institute procurement and travel policies in English before the Explore Secretariat issues a partnership agreement or letter of agreement. This agreement specifies the total research implementation grant amount, fund disbursement schedule and reporting requirements.
The grant can cover the salaries of research team members based on the university or research institute’s actual salary and benefits structure (including health insurance).
Guidance for allowable expenses and costs is included in the work plan budget template. Grant administration guidelines including allowable expenses and costs – audits, activities, human resources and disbursement schedules – and reporting requirements will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
About the Explore CoP
Explore hosts a community of practice (CoP) to support the Explore grant mechanism and foster interdisciplinary research on forest landscape governance. The CoP is hosted by the Agroecology Transformative Partnership Platform (Agroecology TPP). All applicants to the Explore research implementation grants can join the CoP.
About Explore
Explore is a research network and community of practice dedicated to expanding and applying knowledge on forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. It is the only research network in the world focused on forest landscape governance.
Through multidisciplinary, participatory and inclusive multi-stakeholder approaches, Explore aims to contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change and other international and national commitments.
Explore emphasizes gender equality and social inclusion. Forty-two per cent of its advisory board members are women and it seeks equal representation of women researchers. The network also emphasizes transboundary collaboration and problem solving.
Launched in October 2020, Explore is funded by the Government of Sweden. RECOFTC hosts the network in partnership with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and in collaboration with universities, research institutes, governments, civil society organizations, local communities and the private sector in Southeast Asia.
For more information on Explore, visit: https://www.recoftc.org/projects/explore
Our sponsors
RECOFTC’s work is made possible with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Government of Sweden.