What do you mean by ‘Open Window’? This specific grant window is called “open” because it accepts proposals on all themes and sectors.
What are the target/focus countries under this call for proposals?
What is 3ie’s definition of social-economic development programs? Social and economic development programs have, as their primary purpose, to improve a population’s quality of life; for example programs aimed at improving health, education, employment, access to credit, infrastructure, and reducing income-poverty. They can be financed by public agencies, NGOs, or private institutions.
What is the primary audience of 3ie’s funded studies? The primary audience for 3ie studies is developing country policy makers and program managers.
What is the deadline for submission of proposals? The deadline for submissions is midnight EST Friday 27th November 2009.
What is the total value of the award under 3ie's Open Window Round 2? 3ie hopes to make awards up to a total value of US$10 million under this Request For Proposals (RFP).
What is the maximum or minimum single grant limit available under 3ie’s Request For Proposals (RFP)? There are no pre-established funding limits.
How do I know if my institution qualifies for this RFP? Or which institutions can apply for 3ie’s RFP under its Open Window Round 2? Any organization can apply under OW2. The review criteria include the qualifications and experience of the study team.
Is Round 2 open to anyone, even if we did not apply to Round 1 for funding? Yes, Round 2 is open to anyone, even if you did not apply in Round 1.
We have an impact evaluation in mind, but are currently looking for a Principle Investigator to partner with the execution. Does 3ie connect organizations with researchers or institutions that have the evaluation expertise to conduct rigorous impact e? Yes, upon request, 3ie provides support by way of connecting impact evaluation experts to the applicant. 3ie is currently working towards developing an impact evaluation expert database and will be posted on the website soon. Using an expert suggested by 3ie is not a guarantee that your proposal will be accepted.
What are the steps for application? Step 1: Download the application form and guidelines.
Step 2: Complete Grant Application Form
Step 3: Submit your application online to proposals@3ieimpact.org
Do I need to submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ or a ‘Letter of Interest’ or am I allowed to submit directly a full proposal? You do not need to submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ or a ‘Letter of Interest’ required in Round 2. You go directly into the full proposal.
In the first Open Window there seems to have been a distinction between grants applying for more than $200,000 or less than $200,000. Larger grants were required to submit an additional “expression of interest” form before applying. Is this? No, under 3ie’s Open Window Round 2 all proposals are subject to the same, unified review process. There is no separate expression of interest.
What’s the maximum/minimum time period under this RFP for Open Window Round 2? There is no pre-established maximum or minimum time period.
I have a great idea for an impact evaluation but before I invest time and efforts, how do I know that my IE stands a good chance for selection?
Is it possible for me to review studies selected under Open Window Round 1? This is will give me a very good idea to under stand and develop proposals that have a better chance for selection?
Would you prefer a proposal attached to the application form, or is the application form alone to be submitted? The application form is the proposal, and all relevant information should be included in the form.
How long should the proposal be? The number of words required for each section is indicated in the grant application form.
I wonder if there are multiple categories within which one organization might be able to submit two or more applications? If not, would there be a limit of one application per applicant? An organization can submit multiple proposals under the same and/or multiple themes.
Can one organization be awarded more than one grant? Yes.
Can more than one affiliate of an organization submit proposals? Yes.
What was the length of the IE studies selected under Open Window Round 1? Under Open Window Round 1, the length extended from 12 months to 54 months.
The RFP says that some weight is given to an application with a 3ie member as part of the grant. Does that mean that having a 3ie member as part of the team is a necessary part of a proposal? No, having a 3ie member as part of the team is NOT a necessary part of a proposal. Under 3ie review criteria, proposal scoring system, 3ie member or a 3ie associate member get 5% extra scoring weights.
What was the average grant size awarded in Open Window round 1? The average grant size awarded in Open Window Round 1 was just under US$250,000
Can I conduct a research which will be the initial step to conduct a program for intervention? Or should I conduct intervention program to be accepted in this call? 3ie funds the evaluation of interventions. It does not fund research to inform the design of an intervention. It only covers the cost of the evaluation not the intervention itself.
My institution does not have the capacity to develop a proposal, but our programs are very innovative and have excellent policy relevance. What do I do? Please feel free to avail of 3ie’s Proposal Preparation Grants (PPGs). PPG’s support developing country institutions to develop quality proposals with the technical assistance of an impact evaluation expert. Proposals can be sent anytime. For more information please visit: http://www.3ieimpact.org/ppgs/
Does 3ie embrace/promote certain evaluation methods and approaches only? 3ie promotes the use of the best available method to address the evaluation question(s) at hand. Consult 3ie’s impact evaluation Principles and Practice documents for further information.
Does 3ie only fund Randomized Control Trials? No.
Can I apply for an impact evaluation that can be attached to existing large scale intervention programs only? The evaluation should be of either a planned or on-going intervention. Under Open Window Round 2 preference will be given to evaluations of large-scale programs, but funding is not restricted to such studies. Evaluations of smaller scale interventions with great policy interest or technical merit will also stand a good chance of receiving funding.
What do you mean by high quality Impact Evaluations? High-quality impact evaluations measure the net change in outcomes amongst a particular group, or groups, of people that can be attributed to a specific program using the best methodology available, feasible and appropriate to the evaluation question(s) being investigated and to the specific context.
What kind of methodological standards is expected from the evaluation design? 3ie supports impact evaluations that adhere to agreed-upon methodological standards for addressing the “attribution challenge” – e.g. establishing cause and effect between programmatic activities and specified outcomes. In particular, evaluation designs must be capable of addressing: a) confounding factors; b) selection bias; c) spillover effects; d) contamination of control groups; and e) impact heterogeneity by intervention, beneficiary type and context.
What is the average time for me to be informed whether my application was successful or not? After the date of deadline, it will take approximately two months to be informed of the decision.
Are there other funding opportunities with 3ie, or is Open Window the only one?
How do I know when the next call is due?
Does 3ie pay for the costs of the intervention being evaluated? No. 3ie funds can only be used for the costs of the evaluation. The costs of the intervention are expected to be borne by the implementing agency.
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