CALL FOR PROPOSALS PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP 2020 The Necessity of Research Response to Covid-19

The Open Society Foundations Armenia (OSFA) works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies with governments accountable to their citizens. Human rights, transparency, access to justice, promotion of civil society and social inclusion are among Foundations’ core areas of concern. Responding to the challenges of open and pluralistic society, and in its quest for an empowered civil society, OSFA announces Call for Proposals for the Public Policy Research Fellowship, PRF 2020, as an emergency to provide a research response to the Covid-19. The program invites applications from policy researchers and advocates who are willing and prepared to conduct credible and innovative policy research identifying critical open society challenges, to develop practical solutions and to initiate measures towards effective advocacy. The program also aims to enhance the capacity of researchers in influencing public policy‐making processes, and encourages proactive cooperation between independent researchers, decision‐makers, the civil society and the policy community, to achieve a higher quality of policy analysis and research-based dialogue.

 

ELIGIBILITY  The PRF Program is open to civil society representatives, university faculty, policy researchers, analysts and advisers. The applicants must have at least an MA degree in Public Policy and Administration, Political Science, Law, Economics, International Relations or any other related field. Experience in policy analysis and advocacy is desirable. Strong research skills are highly valued. Availability of fellows to devote significant time to the fellowship is required. Applications are accepted from individual authors or groups of two co-authors; the duration of research projects is up to five months.

 

EXPECTATIONS  Applicants are expected to identify and conceptualise specific issues in the framework of challenges in Armenia today,[1] conduct policy research and contribute to public discourse by promoting policy concerns, and generating solutions to identified problems. Successful applicants are expected to question policies, reforms or their implementation, formulate concerns based on reasoned arguments and apply relevant methodological techniques. Fellows are expected to provide a structured and informed reporting in the form of a policy paper[2] and a policy brief with clear and targeted recommendations.

 

Fellows are also expected to develop advocacy strategies, and delegate time for their implementation to promote the results of their research, including identifying relevant decision-makers, groups and allies, initiating targeted consultations, engaging in formats of public communication, networks and following-up on policy developments. It is expected that fellows take the initiative for the advocacy of their research results.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES  Applicants are required to submit PRF Spring 2020 Application Form[3] by carefully considering and responding to the framework designed for proposal submission and evaluation. All applicants will be informed about the results of competition in a period of seven weeks after the submission deadline. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.

 

BUDGET Fellows will receive individual grants up to $3,000 (USD) to cover research‐related costs.

 

TRAINING  OSFA PRF assists fellows in developing policy analytical capacity. Fellows participate in a mandatory seminar on research methods, policy writing and advocacy. Fellows are expected to actively participate and contribute with their expertise to the policy discussions and meetings organised by the OSFA and other civil society organisations.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND CONTACTS   All interested applicants are required to submit the Application Form (Appendix 2) and supporting documents: resume (mandatory) and sample/link to previously conducted research (optional) to OSFA via email: [email protected] by:

 

Tuesday, 21 JULY 2020 17:00

 

Applications are submitted electronically.

 

Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation of application receipt to their email in a period of two working days after submission. If no confirmation email is received -- contact us.

 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

 

For questions or additional information, please contact Policy Research Program Coordinator Valentina Gevorgyan [email protected]