The South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE), housed within the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), is seeking concept notes for its 2026 research grant cycle. This grant scheme supports early- and mid-career researchers based in South Asia and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. SANDEE’s mission is to strengthen research capacity and foster rigorous economic analysis around the links between economic development, natural resource use, and environmental change.
Aligned with ICIMOD’s 2023–2026 vision toward 2030 a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient HKH this call invites studies that contribute to three strategic thematic areas: Climate & Environmental Risks, Resilient Economies & Landscapes, and Regional Action & Global Advocacy.
Strategic Themes & Research Priorities
- Climate & Environmental Risks
Concept notes may explore economic dimensions of cryosphere change, multi-hazard disaster risk, financing for disaster risk reduction, sustainable river basin management (e.g., water allocation for irrigation, drinking, energy), and air pollution including health, policy, monitoring, and communication strategies. - Resilient Economies & Landscapes
Topics of interest include climate-resilient mountain livelihoods (such as herding, agroecological transitions, or nature-based entrepreneurship), economic analysis of green and circular livelihood policies, valuation of ecosystem restoration incentives, human–wildlife coexistence, and cost-benefit studies of wetlands or springshed management. - Regional Action & Global Advocacy
Proposals in this area could assess how regional or global frameworks (e.g., NDCs, NAPs, biodiversity strategies) impact climate adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, or equitable benefit-sharing with Indigenous communities. Analyses that bridge global policy with local or national environmental and economic outcomes are especially welcome.
SANDEE emphasizes empirical research that links economic rigor with policy relevance; therefore, concept notes must clearly articulate how their findings can inform decision-makers at various levels (local, national, regional).
Application Guidelines & Eligibility
- Submissions must include a strong economic component, grounded in established analytical methods. SANDEE favors proposals that have both academic merit and the capacity to influence policy.
- Pure action-research proposals intended solely to generate consulting reports will not be accepted.
- Interdisciplinary, cross-border, and transboundary projects are encouraged. Applications with mountain or gender dimensions must clearly define each team member’s role.
- Only applicants based in, and working in, South Asia and the HKH region are eligible.
- Preference is given to women researchers.
- To avoid conflict of interest, applicants who have close relatives currently employed by or consulting for ICIMOD must disclose these relationships; such cases may be disqualified.
- Principal Investigators (PIs) should be junior- to mid-career professionals affiliated with a university, research institution, or non-governmental body in the region. Senior-level candidates (e.g., professors or directors) are not eligible.
- The PI’s institutional affiliation is mandatory; when invited to submit a full proposal, the team must provide an institutional endorsement.
- ICIMOD will perform due diligence on institutions before awarding the grant.
Funding & Duration
SANDEE anticipates grant amounts to range from USD 20,000 to 30,000, typically covering a two-year period. Larger grants may be awarded to projects with cross-country teams or transboundary focus that require broader interdisciplinary collaboration.
Selection & Application Process
- Submit a concept note by the deadline via the online form.
- All eligible concept notes will undergo a merit-based review.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to prepare full proposals.
- Finalists will be selected through a multi-stage evaluation process.
- PIs of shortlisted proposals will be invited to a research and training workshop in summer 2026, where they will present and defend their proposals.
Due to the high volume of applications, SANDEE does not reply to individual status inquiries.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the online form, you may contact the SANDEE team by email, explaining your issue briefly.
Why Apply?
This grant provides a platform to generate policy-relevant research with scientific rigor, build connections across the HKH region, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making on climate change, resource management, and regional cooperation. It’s a great opportunity for early- and mid-career researchers dedicated to producing research that matters both in academia and in practice.
