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The Data and Research in Education — Research Consortium (DARE-RC) is pleased to invite proposals for Research Studies and Scoping Papers/Evidence Syntheses from eligible organisations.
The focus areas include venue hire, travel and accommodation costs for speakers, staffing costs to support the running of the event, speaker fees or honorariums, catering costs, printing and publicity, and the allocation of free or reduced-fee places for students.
They also cover tools to increase accessibility of the event, such as live captioning, BSL translator hire, live stream capabilities and equipment hire, including wheelchair ramps and induction loop facilities. Additional areas include equipment hire for producing video and audio recordings, and fees associated with virtual participation.
The current call seeks to expand this research portfolio by inviting proposals for studies that fill emerging evidence gaps and respond to high-priority, demand-led topics identified through consultations with provincial stakeholders.
The opportunity is open to national and international universities, think tanks, NGOs, consulting firms and collaborative ventures that demonstrate experience in high-quality education or social science research. Applicants may propose either short-term research studies or scoping papers and evidence syntheses.
Research studies are expected to employ approaches such as secondary data analysis or qualitative and mixed-methods designs that do not require extensive primary data collection, with a budget range of PKR 18–25 million over six to eight months.
Scoping papers and evidence syntheses may include targeted primary data collection alongside policy and literature reviews, with a budget of PKR 08–11 million for four to six months, and may integrate machine learning to strengthen synthesis processes.
All proposals will be assessed based on engagement with existing national and international evidence, policy relevance, potential to fill critical gaps, methodological rigour, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Multiple studies may be commissioned within a theme, depending on proposal quality. Organisations must also submit detailed supporting documents, including organisational profiles, auditor reports, tax registration, confirmation letters, and CVs of core team members. Successful applicants must be able to obtain No Objection Certificates for primary data collection and meet due diligence requirements.
DARE-RC emphasises collaborative, multidisciplinary proposals, especially those led by women, institutions in remote areas, or involving early-career researchers supported by mentorship structures.
The grants will fund research activities only, with up to ten percent allowable for overhead costs. Selected projects are expected to commence immediately upon contract signing, following final budget negotiations and verification processes.
