Apply Now: GDPC Small Research Grants Program 2024/2025 (up to $10,000)

Deadline: November 12, 2024

The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) is now accepting applications for its 2024/2025 Small Research Grants Program, which aims to foster research focused on building climate resilience in urban areas. The program encourages original research, especially from scholars in low- and middle-income countries, to contribute valuable insights into how urban areas can better withstand climate challenges. The program seeks to expand the knowledge base on urban climate resilience to support more effective climate adaptation policies and practices.

This grant program provides funding for university researchers to undertake projects on climate resilience in urban settings. It specifically targets researchers from low- and middle-income countries who may otherwise have limited funding opportunities. Grants are valued at up to $10,000 USD for research projects lasting up to eight months, concluding no later than September 30, 2025. Research funded by this grant should be practical, supporting actionable insights for policy development, urban planning, community initiatives, and more.

Research Themes and Topics

The grant focuses on generating knowledge within these main areas:

Topic 1: Community-Led Adaptation and Resilience Solutions

1.1: Investigate community-driven climate adaptation strategies in urban settings, including the role of innovative, tech-enabled solutions.
1.2: Explore the effectiveness of participatory urban planning approaches in enhancing resilience and gather evidence on best practices.

Topic 2: Socio-Economic and Institutional Drivers of Climate Resilience

2.1: Analyze socio-economic incentives that improve climate resilience, such as cash grants, micro-insurance, tax incentives, and community-based financial support.
2.2: Examine how urban governance frameworks support or hinder climate action and how cities can serve as hubs for effective climate governance.

Topic 3: Urban Ecosystems for Resilience

3.1: Identify features of climate-resilient urban ecosystems and explore approaches for cultivating or restoring these systems in various urban settings.
3.2: Evaluate community-based strategies for implementing scalable nature-based solutions that enhance urban resilience.

Grant Details

Amount: Up to $10,000 USD.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized university, and they can be graduate students, post-docs, or faculty.
Research teams are encouraged to apply, especially if they bring together researchers from different institutions.
For student-led teams, an experienced faculty supervisor must be designated.
Only applicants from low- and middle-income countries are eligible to apply, and research must focus on these regions.
Research proposals must align with the designated topics and demonstrate relevance to the program’s goals.
Projects must be feasible for completion by September 30, 2025.
Research can be conducted in any language; however, the final report must be in English, and costs for translation may be included in the budget.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted by November 12, 2024 (23:59 UTC). The application package should include:

Applicant Information: Details of the applicant’s professional affiliation and a letter of support from a faculty supervisor for students.
Project Summary: An abstract of the project.
Project Description: A detailed outline of the research, including objectives, methodology, and broader impact. The description should be no longer than 5 pages (Arial 11-point font, single spacing, 1-inch margins), excluding references and a timeline. Use the provided Project Description template (Microsoft Word or Google Docs).
Budget: A budget proposal detailing expenses in USD.
Research Team Composition: CVs for the principal investigator and key researchers.
Letters of Collaboration: If other institutions or partners are involved, letters of support from each partner organization are required.