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Flexible Research Fund

Introduction

The Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme’s Flexible Research Fund (FRF) has four main objectives:

  • To respond to new research opportunities within the CCG programme’s remit;
  • To expand CCG’s research capacity and impacts;
  • To diversify participation in the CCG research programme via new institutions, perspectives, locations; and
  • To strengthen the role of researchers from low- and middle-income countries.

The Fund is demand-led, and is designed to respond to new opportunities identified through the CCG programme’s engagement with national stakeholders in partner countries; international organisations; the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO, the funder of the CCG programme); and the CCG programme’s research strategies. The CCG programme is led by Loughborough University and implemented through partnerships with academia, business, and non-government organisations. The FRF is a funding mechanism for research that will provide tangible and impactful benefits in CCG countries. The topics in this first FRF call are tailored to focus on four of CCG’s current priority countries: Kenya, Lao PDR, Ghana and Zambia.

  • The CCG programme welcomes applications from individuals and organisations engaged in independent research. This includes universities, think tanks, consultancies and independent researchers. Consortium applications are eligible, but a lead organisation must be identified.
  • The programme welcomes applications from organisations based in any part of the world. A minimum of 40% of funding available will be directed to researchers and/or organisations in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Organisations that fund grant-making schemes of their own are not eligible to apply.

Call Topics

Below is a list of the seven call topics for this call. Each proposal should only focus on one of these topics. Further information on the topics, including timescales and budgets, can be found in the grant specification document:

  1. The energy system implications of transitions to clean cooking in Zambia
  2. Financing energy efficiency and conservation in Lao PDR
  3. Incentives for private investment into climate-friendly projects in Zambia
  4. Renewable energy policies in Kenya
  5. The impact of low energy demand on the sustainability of electricity systems
  6. Macroeconomic implications of the Green Growth Strategy in Zambia
  7. Low carbon transport futures in Zambia

Guidance Webinar – 23rd Nov 2022

CCG hosted an online webinar on the 23rd November 2022 at 12.00–13.00 UTC.

You can view this webinar in the video below or on YouTube.

How to Apply

Please read carefully the following documents:, which has all the detail about the application process, eligibility and other key information:

  • Guidance for Applicants [link – opens in new tab]
  • Grant Specification [link – opens in new tab]
  • FAQs for Applicants [link – opens in new tab]

You can also preview forms that will need to submitted via the online portal. Please note, that you must submit information via the online form. We cannot accept applications via email:

  • Due diligence forms (individual and organization: links download Word Files)
  • Statement of Grant Usage [link – downloads Excel Spreadsheet]
  • Application Form [link – Downloads Word File]

When you are ready to apply, please follow this link [opens in a new tab] to access the online portal for applications.

During the application process you will need an access code. 

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Deadline is 23.59 (UTC) 5th December