STEG Small Research Grants 2026: Funding of £10,000–£25,000 for Research in Developing Countries
STEG Small Research Grants 2026: Funding of £10,000–£25,000 for Research in Developing Countries. The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme invited researchers to apply for its 2026 Small Research Grants (SRGs), offering funding of between £10,000 and £25,000 for research projects addressing economic growth and structural transformation in low- and middle-income countries.
The grants support research activities such as research assistance, data collection, data purchases, fieldwork and, where sufficiently justified, research stipends or teaching buyouts. The programme places particular importance on producing evidence that can inform economic policies and development strategies, especially in low-income countries and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The 2026 eleventh call for proposals opened to researchers worldwide and placed additional emphasis on research involving artificial intelligence, gender and structural transformation, macroeconomic data, and projects affected by reductions in development assistance.
Application status: The 11th call closed on 29 June 2026. Although this application round is no longer open, researchers can monitor STEG’s official website for future funding opportunities.
Quick Overview: STEG Small Research Grants 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant programme | STEG Small Research Grants |
| Funding organisation | Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) |
| Coordinating organisation | Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) |
| Funding amount | £10,000–£25,000 |
| Opportunity type | Research grants |
| Eligible applicants | Researchers worldwide |
| Principal investigator | Must normally hold a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD programme |
| Research focus | Structural transformation and economic growth |
| Priority regions | Low- and middle-income countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Project duration | Normally 12 months |
| 2026 application deadline | 29 June 2026 |
| Application status | Closed |
| Application method | Online through the STEG application process |
1. About the STEG Research Grants Programme
Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) is a research programme coordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The programme supports research that improves understanding of how economies transform and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Structural transformation refers to changes in the structure of an economy as workers, resources and economic activities shift between sectors, industries and occupations. These changes can influence productivity, employment, income distribution, industrial development and living standards.
STEG supports research that generates evidence about these processes and helps policymakers identify effective approaches to economic development.
The programme welcomes research addressing broad patterns of economic transformation as well as specific questions connected to its research themes.
2. Funding Available Under the Small Research Grants
Under the 2026 call, STEG offered Small Research Grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000.
The funding is intended to support the practical costs of conducting high-quality research. It is not a general-purpose business grant or an unrestricted personal scholarship.
Eligible research expenses can include:
Research assistance
Funding may support research assistants who contribute to project implementation, data processing, analysis and other research activities.
Data collection and purchase
Applicants can request support for collecting, purchasing, harmonising or organising datasets required for their research.
Fieldwork and research travel
The programme supports travel to research locations and field sites, including travel associated with projects using secondary data.
STEG recognises that field visits and discussions with policymakers can help researchers understand local economic conditions, particularly when they are unfamiliar with the countries being studied.
Research stipends and teaching buyouts
Research stipends or teaching buyouts may be considered where sufficiently justified.
Applicants should explain how the requested support will contribute directly to completing the proposed research. Budgets must comply with STEG’s guidelines and demonstrate value for money.
Important: The grant amount depends on the proposed research activities and the approved budget. Applicants should not assume that every project automatically receives £25,000.
3. Research Areas Supported Under the 2026 Call
The 11th call encouraged research addressing structural transformation and economic growth in low- and middle-income countries.
In addition to the programme’s wider research themes, the 2026 call particularly welcomed proposals in the following areas.
Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Automation
STEG encouraged research examining how artificial intelligence and advanced automation could affect labour markets and economic growth in low-income countries.
Possible research questions include:
- How could AI adoption affect employment opportunities in developing economies?
- Which occupations and industries are most exposed to automation?
- How could technological change influence labour productivity?
- What policies could help developing countries benefit from technological innovation?
- How might automation affect economic growth and structural transformation?
Research in this area should be grounded in empirical evidence from relevant contexts and/or theoretical modelling. Purely discussion-based proposals are not sufficient.
Gender and Structural Transformation
The programme also encouraged research examining the relationship between gender and economic transformation.
Relevant topics include:
- Barriers to women’s participation in labour markets.
- Gender differences in employment opportunities.
- The economic consequences of restrictive social norms and policies.
- Women’s participation in productive economic activities.
- The effects of gender-related constraints on economic growth.
Research should demonstrate how gender-related factors influence broader economic transformation and development.
Macroeconomic Data Collection and Management
STEG particularly welcomed proposals involving the collection, harmonisation and curation of macro-relevant cross-sectional or panel datasets.
Such projects can improve the availability and quality of economic data used by researchers and policymakers.
Applicants should explain any potential barriers to making datasets publicly available, including privacy, ownership and intellectual property restrictions.
Research Affected by Aid Cuts
The 2026 call also encouraged projects within STEG’s areas of interest that had been directly affected by reductions in development assistance.
The programme sought to support research where additional funding could help bring an existing project to completion.
Applicants needed to demonstrate the relationship between the funding shortfall and the proposed research activities.
4. Who Is Eligible to Apply?
STEG welcomes applications from researchers worldwide and encourages collaboration between researchers based in lower-income and higher-income countries.
However, applicants must satisfy the programme’s requirements concerning the principal investigator and the research team.
Principal investigator requirements
For Small Research Grants, the principal investigator should normally:
- Hold a PhD degree; or
- Be currently enrolled in a PhD programme.
In exceptional circumstances, STEG may consider applications from principal investigators who do not meet these academic conditions. Such applicants must demonstrate a strong record of high-quality academic research or policy-relevant research.
Co-investigators
There are no formal qualification requirements for co-investigators.
However, the programme indicates that co-investigators on funded projects usually hold a PhD or are enrolled in a doctoral programme.
The qualifications, expertise and research experience of the entire team are considered during evaluation.
International applicants
Researchers from different countries are welcome to apply.
STEG encourages collaboration between researchers from lower-income and higher-income countries, particularly where partnerships can strengthen research quality and policy relevance.
However, proposals involving researchers or team members based at Russian institutions cannot currently be accepted under the programme’s stated restrictions.
5. Country Eligibility and Research Relevance
The programme supports research relevant to economic development in low- and middle-income countries.
Particular importance is attached to policy relevance in low-income countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers proposing projects focused on middle-income or higher-income countries must clearly explain how their findings could contribute to policy discussions in specific low-income countries.
The programme also encourages applicants to consult the official STEG Priority Country List before preparing proposals.
Zimbabwean and other African researchers may find the programme particularly relevant when developing research proposals addressing economic transformation, employment, industrial development, productivity, technological change and other development challenges.
However, the research must satisfy the programme’s academic and policy-relevance requirements. Being based in an eligible country does not automatically guarantee funding.
6. How Long Do STEG Research Grants Last?
Small Research Grants are normally designed to be completed within 12 months.
STEG aims to issue funding decisions within approximately three months after the application deadline.
Successful applicants are expected to sign their grant contracts within one month of receiving the final decision. The contract-signing date is also the expected project start date.
The programme may require an institutional contract in certain circumstances, particularly where travel to high-risk areas is involved and appropriate institutional safeguards are necessary.
International travel requires appropriate travel insurance covering at least the period of travel.
7. How Are Applications Evaluated?
STEG evaluates research proposals using several criteria.
These include:
Quality of the proposed research: The research question, academic contribution, evidence base and overall quality of the proposal.
Policy relevance: The extent to which the research can contribute to policy discussions and economic development, particularly in low-income countries.
Feasibility and credibility: Whether the research activities, methodology, timeline and research team can realistically deliver the proposed outcomes.
Value for money: Whether the proposed budget is reasonable and cost-effective in relation to the expected research outputs.
Contribution to expanding the field: The extent to which the project contributes new knowledge and strengthens research on structural transformation and economic growth.
Applicants should ensure that their research questions, methodology, work plan and budget are consistent and clearly explained.
8. How to Prepare for a Future STEG Small Research Grant Call
Although the June 2026 deadline has passed, researchers interested in future calls can begin preparing their proposals.
The programme provides official application documents, including a proposal template, budget template and applicant guide.
The following preparation steps are useful:
- Identify a research question connected to structural transformation and economic growth.
- Explain why the research matters for low-income countries and relevant policymakers.
- Develop a credible research methodology supported by appropriate evidence or theoretical modelling.
- Identify the research team and establish the roles of the principal investigator and co-investigators.
- Prepare a realistic research timeline.
- Develop an itemised budget using STEG’s budget guidelines.
- Consider data access, fieldwork requirements and research ethics.
- Review the official application guidance and prepare the required supporting information.
Researchers should also examine the programme’s previous calls to understand the kinds of projects it supports.
9. How to Apply for STEG Small Research Grants
The STEG Small Research Grants 2026 are competitive research grants offered through the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme, coordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).
The 2026 application process required researchers to submit proposals through the STEG online application system.
Applicants were expected to use the official templates available on the Small and PhD Research Grants funding page.
The main application resources include:
- SRG Applicant Guide.
- SRG Proposal Template.
- SRG Budget Template.
- SRG Budget Guidelines.
- STEG Research Strategy.
- STEG Priority Country List.
- Example Proposal Responses.
Please note that the 11th call closed on 29 June 2026. The application platform should not be treated as an open application opportunity for that completed round.
10. Small Research Grants and PhD Research Grants: What Is the Difference?
STEG operates both Small Research Grant and PhD Research Grant schemes.
Although they support similar research activities, they have different eligibility conditions and funding limits.
| Feature | Small Research Grants | PhD Research Grants |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | £10,000–£25,000 | Up to £15,000 |
| Principal investigator | Normally PhD holder or PhD student | Must be currently enrolled in a PhD programme |
| Research assistance | Supported | Supported |
| Data collection | Supported | Supported |
| Research travel | Supported | Supported |
| Stipends | Potentially supported if justified | Supported under specific conditions |
| Supervisor letter | Not a general SRG requirement | Required for PhD student principal investigators |
| Duration | Normally 12 months | Normally 12 months |
PhD students can apply to the regular Small Research Grant calls if they satisfy the eligibility requirements. The separate PhD Research Grant calls are specifically designed for doctoral researchers.
For PhD Research Grants, the supervisor’s letter of support must be submitted no later than two weeks after the application deadline.
Stipends under the PhD scheme are subject to specific limits. For students enrolled in programmes in high-income countries, the stipend is capped at £12,000, while the corresponding purchasing power parity equivalent applies to students enrolled in programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the STEG Small Research Grant 2026 still open?
No. The 11th call closed on 29 June 2026 at 23:59 British Summer Time. Applicants should monitor the official STEG website for future calls.
How much funding does STEG provide?
The Small Research Grants offer between £10,000 and £25,000 per approved project.
Can researchers from Africa apply?
Yes. STEG welcomes researchers worldwide and places particular importance on policy relevance in low-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Can a PhD student apply?
Yes. PhD students can apply for regular Small Research Grants if they meet the principal investigator requirements. They can also apply for separate PhD Research Grant calls when available.
Can researchers without a PhD apply?
The principal investigator is normally required to hold a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD programme. Exceptional applications may be considered where the applicant can demonstrate a strong record of high-quality academic or policy-relevant research.
What expenses can the grant cover?
Eligible expenses can include research assistance, data collection and purchase, fieldwork travel and, where sufficiently justified, research stipends or teaching buyouts.
How long should funded projects take?
Small Research Grants are intended to be completed within approximately 12 months.
Does STEG fund research in Zimbabwe?
STEG welcomes applications from researchers worldwide and prioritises policy relevance to low-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants should consult the official priority country list and ensure that their proposed research meets the programme’s requirements.
Where can researchers find future calls?
Researchers should regularly check the official STEG open and upcoming calls page for new funding announcements and application deadlines.
Final Thoughts
The STEG Small Research Grants programme provides an important funding opportunity for researchers studying economic growth and structural transformation in developing countries.
With grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000, the programme supports research activities including data collection, research assistance, fieldwork and other justified project expenses.
The 2026 eleventh call placed particular emphasis on artificial intelligence and automation, gender and structural transformation, macroeconomic data and research affected by aid cuts.
Although the June 2026 application deadline has passed, researchers interested in future rounds can use the programme’s official guidance and templates to prepare competitive research proposals.
For researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa, the programme offers an opportunity to contribute evidence that can inform economic policies and development strategies.
Stay connected with Vacancy Bridge
Follow the Vacancy Bridge WhatsApp channel for updates on research grants, fellowships, scholarships, international jobs, internships and other funding opportunities.
Join the Vacancy Bridge WhatsApp Channel
APPLY NOW ON THIS OFFICIAL PAGE
Key Details
- Grant: STEG Small Research Grants
- Year: 2026
- Funding: £10,000–£25,000
- Coordinating organisation: Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
- Programme: Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG)
- Eligible applicants: Researchers worldwide
- Principal investigator: Normally PhD holder or currently enrolled PhD student
- Research focus: Structural transformation and economic growth
- Priority: Low-income countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa
- Project duration: Normally 12 months
- Deadline: 29 June 2026
- Status: Closed
SEO Keywords
STEG Small Research Grants 2026, STEG Research Grants, £25,000 Research Grants, Small Research Grants for Researchers, Research Funding for Africa, Research Grants for Developing Countries, Economic Research Grants 2026, Structural Transformation and Economic Growth, CEPR Research Grants, Research Funding for PhD Students, Research Grants in Sub-Saharan Africa, International Research Funding.
