STEG Small Research Grants 2026 | Funding of £10,000–£25,000 Available for Researchers Worldwide
STEG Small Research Grants 2026 | Funding of £10,000–£25,000 Available for Researchers Worldwide. Applications are now open for the 11th Call for Proposals for STEG Small Research Grants (SRGs) 2026, offering funding of £10,000 to £25,000 for research projects focused on economic growth, structural transformation, labour markets, trade, agriculture, gender, climate change, and development policy in low- and middle-income countries.
The programme is managed by the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Initiative, a research programme coordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and supported through the UK’s international development efforts.
Researchers, academics, and PhD students are encouraged to apply before the deadline of 29 June 2026.
Funding Overview
Grant Amount
💰 £10,000 – £25,000
Programme
Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG)
Funding Type
Small Research Grant (SRG)
Application Deadline
📅 29 June 2026
Project Duration
⏳ Up to 12 Months
Eligible Applicants
- Researchers
- Academics
- Early-Career Researchers
- PhD Students
- Research Institutions
About STEG
The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) initiative supports cutting-edge research aimed at understanding and addressing development challenges faced by low-income and middle-income countries.
The programme focuses on how economies transform, grow, create jobs, and improve living standards through evidence-based policy research.
Research supported by STEG contributes to policy discussions among governments, development agencies, and international organizations.
What the Grant Can Fund
The Small Research Grants can support:
✅ Research Assistance
✅ Data Collection
✅ Data Purchase
✅ Research Stipends
✅ Teaching Buyouts
✅ Fieldwork Expenses
✅ Travel to Research Sites
✅ Policy Engagement Activities
✅ Research Dissemination
The programme also supports travel for field visits and engagement with policymakers, particularly for researchers who may have limited prior experience in the countries they intend to study.
Research Areas Supported
Proposals may focus on broad issues related to:
Structural Transformation
Economic Growth
Labour Markets
Trade and Industrial Development
Agricultural Transformation
Public Policy
Firms and Productivity
Economic Development
Projects may be comparative across countries, sectors, or time periods.
Priority Research Themes for 2026
For this funding round, STEG particularly welcomes proposals that focus on:
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Research exploring:
- AI and economic growth
- Automation and labour markets
- Technological transformation
- Productivity impacts in developing countries
Projects must be grounded in empirical evidence or theoretical modelling.
Gender and Structural Transformation
Research examining:
- Women’s labour force participation
- Economic barriers affecting women
- Gender inequalities in labour markets
- Economic impacts of restrictive policies and social norms
Climate Change and Development
Studies focusing on:
- Climate adaptation
- Environmental sustainability
- Green growth
- Climate-related economic transformation
Data Creation and Harmonization
Projects that involve:
- New datasets
- Cross-country datasets
- Panel data development
- Macroeconomic data harmonization
- Public-use research databases
Researchers are encouraged to make data publicly available whenever possible.
Projects Impacted by Aid Cuts
STEG also welcomes applications from researchers whose projects have experienced funding shortfalls due to reductions in development assistance and require additional support to reach completion.
Cross-Cutting Themes
The programme places special emphasis on three cross-cutting priorities:
Gender
Climate Change and Environment
Inequality and Inclusion
Projects addressing one or more of these themes may receive additional consideration during the review process.
Eligibility
Researchers Worldwide Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
- University Researchers
- Independent Researchers
- Policy Researchers
- Research Institutes
- Think Tanks
- PhD Students
STEG also operates dedicated funding opportunities specifically for PhD students.
PhD Research Grants
In addition to the Small Research Grants, STEG plans to launch a separate:
PhD Research Grants Call
in July 2026.
These grants offer:
💰 Up to £15,000
and support similar activities as the Small Research Grant programme.
Application Process
Applicants must:
- Prepare a research proposal.
- Use the official STEG proposal templates.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
Applications are submitted through the STEG funding platform.
Selection Timeline
Application Deadline
📅 29 June 2026
Funding Decisions
STEG aims to announce funding decisions within:
⏳ Three Months
after the application deadline.
Project Start
Successful applicants are expected to sign contracts within one month of receiving the final funding decision.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Successful applicants will benefit from:
✅ Funding up to £25,000
✅ Support for field research
✅ Funding for data collection
✅ International research visibility
✅ Opportunities to engage policymakers
✅ Flexible project design
✅ Strong focus on development impact
✅ Global research collaboration opportunities
Research Topics of Interest
The programme particularly welcomes work related to:
- Labour Markets
- Agriculture
- Trade
- Firms and Productivity
- Public Policy
- Gender Equality
- Climate Change
- Economic Growth
- Industrial Development
- Structural Transformation
APPLY NOW ON THIS OFFICIAL PLATFORM
Interested researchers should prepare their proposals and submit applications before:
📅 29 June 2026 (23:59 BST)
Early submission is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Related Opportunities
- World Bank Scholarships Program 2026
- DAAD Research Scholarships in Germany
- Sweden Research Grant 2026 | SEK 2 Million Funding
- UNDP Research and Innovation Opportunities
- IMF Economist Program 2026
- UNFCCC Climate Fellowship Programme
- Gates Foundation Research Opportunities
- British Council Research Fellowships
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