How we support our grantees: core funding

We provide general budget support, commonly called core funding. Our renewable grants last either two or four years, and our grantees use this support to improve their research programs and to cover their operating costs. This approach gives our grantees two critical strengths: the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances, and the stability to conduct long-term research on important issues.

We also provide our grantees with other types of support, including peer learning and exchanges with outside experts. We offer them access to training and support in three broad areas:

• research methods and skills
• communication and outreach
• general organizational development

Our funding focus: independent research organizations

The research organizations we support are independent, they conduct policy research, and they are based in developing countries. They focus their research on issues at the country level, and they address problems related to growth, equity, and poverty reduction. Learn more about the institutions we support on our Institutions page.

How we selected our grantees: competitive call for proposals

We selected our grantees through two competitions, the first in 2008 in East and West Africa, and the second in 2009 in Latin America and South Asia. Our competitions are now closed, and we are no longer accepting applications for funding.

Learn more about training and mentorship opportunities at IDRC through our Research Award program.