C-TIP Campus Challenge Research Grants
IIE is accepting applications from scholars at universities and research institutes worldwide for Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Research Challenge Grants, part of USAID’s C-TIP Campus Challenge. Applicants are invited to submit proposals in response to three questions, summarized below. To view these questions in their entirety, please click on the Annual Program Statement (APS) link in the following paragraph.
Grant size is $150,000 - $200,000, for a period of 12 – 18 months; the first application deadline is midnight EST (Washington, DC time) on May 17, 2013. Interested applicants should review the Annual Program Statement (APS), attachments, and application instructions and contact dem.grants@iie.org with any questions.
Question 1: What have been the impacts of USAID C-TIP programs?
This question is intended to elicit applications to evaluate past USAID-supported C-TIP prevention and/or victim protection programs to measure their effectiveness, looking at a variety of contributing factors. All methodological approaches are welcome. Applicants should address whether the programs’ assumptions and goals were correct and appropriate, if the goals were achieved, and whether the goals were achieved as a direct result of the specific activities implemented. The research should capture the impact of the program on its target population during the intervention, immediately after its implementation, and in the years following the program. The findings should inform recommendations for how to replicate and scale-up interventions determined to be effective.
Question 2: How can we use public opinion surveys to design and implement effective C-TIP prevention and awareness-raising activities/programs?
This question is meant to elicit applications focused on generating data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices with regard to trafficking within a general population, using a large, random sample, public opinion survey. The proposed survey should be designed to identify individuals who are geographically and/or demographically at risk of being trafficked as well as potential first responders to help develop targeted prevention and awareness activities. This research will be limited to one or more countries in Africa, Asia, or parts of Eurasia in which USAID has a Mission (see APS for details).
Question 3: Respond to your own C-TIP research question
This question is meant to elicit applications in which scholars propose their own research question. The proposed research should help address the knowledge gaps regarding which C-TIP programming interventions are most effective and contribute to the development of evidence-based practices in C-TIP programming for use by USAID. Priority will be given to applications that address aspects of USAID’s 2012 C-TIP Policy.
IIE Announces C-TIP Campus Challenge Research Grants
Quick Facts:
Funding mechanism: Cost-reimbursable grant
APS Issuance date: April 25, 2013
Final Closing Date: April 25, 2014
Deadline to submit questions prior to first round of review: May 10, 2013. IIE will post all questions (anonymously) and answers on the DFG website.
Deadline for submission of applications for first round of evaluation: May 17, 2013, midnight, EST (Washington, DC)
Submission: electronic, via dem.grants@iie.org
Maximum total project funding: $400,000
Currency of grant award: US Dollars (USD) for US organizations; local currency for non-US organizations, with an established not-to-exceed ceiling amount in USD.
Estimated total number of awards: up to 3
Estimated award size: $150,000 - $200,000
Length of grant period: 12 – 18 months
This APS is open for one year. All applications for the first round of evaluations are due by midnight, EST, on May 17, 2013.
USAID/IIE’s intention is to review only one batch of applications under this funding opportunity. It is likely that all of the available funds for this APS may be allocated to awards resulting from the first round of evaluations. USAID/IIE reserves the right to accept additional batches of applications if there are sufficient funds available; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the May 17 deadline noted above for full consideration.
Should all funding be committed after the first round, the DFG website will be updated to indicate that no further funding is available.
C-TIP Campus Challenge Research Grant APS and Attachments
Annual Program Statement (APS) (124 KB, DOCX)
USAID 2012 C-TIP Policy (343 KB, PDF)
Equal Opportunity Survey (24 KB, PDF)
C-TIP Campus Challenge Research Grant APS Application Templates and Instructions
Application Template 1 - Goals, Results, and Activities Timeline (17KB, DOCX)
Application Template 2 - Project Budget (32 KB, XLSX)
Cost Application Instructions (38.4 KB, DOCX)
Responses to Applicant Questions
Q: The proposed award size seems small for a comprehensive study of a USAID-sponsored program or the conduct of an effective survey. Do you envision much field research for these projects or more of a desk study?
A: The C-TIP Campus Challenge is designed to advance the research agenda and knowledge base relating to human trafficking. We are interested in innovative research that can make a real contribution to the field of evidence in the C-TIP field. The extent to which the design will answer and address the research questions proposed in the Campus Challenge and will advance the field of evidence in the C-TIP field composes 35% of the technical review score. Applicants should propose projects that are responsive to those criteria.
Q: The statement on the subject of indirect cost on Page 11 of the C-TIP APS is ambiguous. Can indirect costs only be used as cost share for the grant? Or can indirect costs be charged directly to grant funds as per the agreed upon-rate in the relevant NICRA?
A: Applicants are encouraged to read and follow the Cost Application Instructions for the C-TIP Campus Challenge Research Grants posted on the DFG website. Indirect costs, as allowed in an applicant’s approved NICRA, may be charged to the grant. As per 22 CFR 226.23.b, unrecovered indirect costs may be proposed as cost share.
Q: If indirect costs are indeed allowed to be charged to grant funds, will you look more favorably on applicants that reduce or waive indirect costs altogether? If the answer to the latter question is yes, would you be willing to provide a letter or email to that effect that can be presented to a university's central grant authority?
A: Applicants’ cost applications will be evaluated for overall cost effectiveness. Per ADS 303.3.10.3, cost sharing, when required, is encompassed in cost effectiveness. How Applicants choose to meet this criterion is at their discretion, and it is the Applicants’ responsibility to fulfill their organizations’ internal procedures. As mentioned in the APS, Applications that dedicate the greatest portion of funding to direct research costs will be reviewed most favorably, in line with the evaluation criteria in the APS. Applicants are encouraged to use the posted response to this question for discussions with their central grant authority.
Q: One of the scholars interested in participating in the project is currently working with the Department of Justice on a federal trafficking case. Does s/he have a conflict of interest?
A: USAID and DOJ have different foci in the C-TIP field; however, we cannot make a determination as to a potential conflict of interest without further information.
Q: If we are successful in our application, can we get access to State Department reports on country visits by the TIP office as part of our research?
A: USAID intends to support any successful Applicant in obtaining documents that are relevant to the research project. However, at this time, we cannot guarantee access to information that is not currently publicly available.
Q: Will applications for novel research that result in production of important knowledge re: trafficking prevalence, vulnerabilities to trafficking, and trafficking routes and perpetrators in a highly-affected region be considered responsive to this call? It is unclear whether or not research that is not directly related to C-TIP programming will be competitive. Thank you.
A: We are interested in new and innovative research that results in knowledge about prevalence, vulnerabilities, routes, and other aspects involving human trafficking. However, since USAID is in the business of developing programs to counter human trafficking, the agency would want to use these data to inform the design of its programs. Applications, therefore, should briefly indicate how the knowledge obtained on prevalence, vulnerabilities, routes, etc. could contribute to the design of programs to prevent trafficking and provide assistance to victims. Additionally, Applicants may wish to provide an analysis of how to use this knowledge to design more effective programs.