11th Call for Proposals for STEG Small Research Grants (SRGs) — Funding Opportunity for Researchers in Structural Transformation and Economic Growth

The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme has officially opened its 11th Call for Proposals for Small Research Grants (SRGs). This competitive funding scheme supports high‑quality research that advances understanding of structural transformation, economic growth, and development challenges in low‑ and middle‑income countries. The call is open from 1 June 2026, with a submission deadline of 23:59 BST on Monday, 29 June 2026.

Overview of the STEG Small Research Grants

STEG Small Research Grants (SRGs) provide £10,000–£25,000 to support innovative research projects. These grants are designed to enable researchers to generate new evidence, collect or harmonize data, and deepen understanding of structural transformation processes across developing economies.

SRGs can fund:

• Research assistance
• Data collection or data purchase
• Research stipends or teaching buyouts (where applicable)
• Travel to field sites, including for projects using secondary data
• Field visits and engagement with policymakers, especially for researchers new to the study context

STEG also runs a separate PhD Research Grant call, offering up to £15,000 exclusively for PhD students. The next PhD call is expected to open in July 2026.

Research Focus Areas

Applicants may propose research that:

• Examines broad systemic patterns of structural transformation and economic growth
• Investigates country‑specific or comparative dynamics across time or space
• Aligns with STEG’s core research themes
• Addresses cross‑cutting issues central to structural transformation

STEG’s three cross‑cutting issues include:

1. Gender
2. Climate change and the environment
3. Inequality and inclusion

Proposals addressing these themes will receive particular consideration.

Priority Areas for This Call

For the 11th SRG call, STEG is especially interested in proposals that:

1. Focus on macro‑relevant data collection, harmonization, or curation
   • Projects should disclose any barriers to public data availability, including privacy or property rights constraints.
2. Investigate the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) or advanced automation
   • Research should explore implications for labour markets and growth trajectories in low‑income countries.
   • Projects must be grounded in empirical evidence or theoretical modelling (not purely discussion‑based).
3. Examine gender and structural transformation
   • Topics may include constraints to women’s labour force participation or macroeconomic consequences of restrictive norms and policies.
4. Support projects affected by aid cuts
   • Funding may help complete projects in STEG’s areas of focus that have stalled due to reduced external funding.

Application Process

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review:

• SRG eligibility criteria
• Country criteria
• Application preparation guidelines
• SRG Frequently Asked Questions

Applications must be submitted using the templates available on the SRG & PhD Funding Page and uploaded via the SRG Application Form on Hub.

Important Dates & Administrative Notes

• Deadline: 23:59 BST, Monday, 29 June 2026
• Funding decisions are typically issued within three months of the deadline
• Projects must be completed within 12 months
• Contracts must be signed within one month of the final decision
• Due to high application volume, STEG may not provide individualized feedback for unsuccessful proposals at the first review stage

 

About STEG

STEG is part of the Growth Research Platform, a CEPR initiative funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). The programme supports research that addresses the structural and economic challenges faced by developing countries.

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