The grant-making process has been developed over the years by the European Union and its local partners and is included here as a resource for researchers having to fundraise; and practitioners and government units who need guidance and structure to kick-start their own grant-making system and process. It is important to note that this section is for information purposes only and should not be treated as a template.

This grant-making model and linked contract allows for the beneficiary of the grant funds to retain the intellectual property of the research outputs. This is an intensive process and can be implemented within a 9-12 month period.

Call for proposals

The PSPPD Call for Proposals Process: An explanation

Introduction

The Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development, a Presidency and European Union partnership, has launched its first and final Call for Proposals (CFP). This process is supported by comprehensive guiding documents – an application guide, application form and supporting Annexes – all intended to assist applicants with an equal opportunity to submit a research proposal for funding.

The CFP is a tender process and although research and studies are usually defined as a service, the PSPPD framework to support the sector is defined as “grant-making”.
The EU Practical Rules and Guidelines (PRAG) defines a grant as a direct financial contribution, by way of a donation, from the EU budget. It is a payment of a non-commercial nature by the Contracting Authority (PSPPD through the Presidency) to a specific beneficiary to implement an action intended to help achieve an objective forming part of a European Union policy or an objective of the programme in accordance with the formal agreement.

The CFP Process Simplified (Read more...)

Evaluation Committee and Assessors (Read more...)

Evaluation and Selection of Applications (Read more...)

Step 1: The Opening Session and Administrative Check – The PSPPD will receive all the applications on or before the deadline published. The first Evaluation Committee meeting will:
1)Verify the submission date and time, open all the applications and register all with a unique reference number;
2)Check the administrative data (refer to Annex V. Checklist) of the applicant

Step 2: Evaluation of the Concept Note – The applications which have been received before the deadline for submissions and satisfied the administrative criteria, will be conceptually evaluated – Concept Note, Part A of the Application form.. The panel of assessors will make recommendations to the Evaluation Committee – second meeting - on this pre-selection, using a structured Evaluation grid (see Application guide).

Step 3: Evaluation of the Full Application - An evaluation of the quality of the proposals, including the proposed budget, and of the capacity of the applicant and their partners, will be carried out in accordance with the evaluation criteria set out in the Evaluation Grid (see Application guide). The Evaluation Committee – third meeting – will approve a list of applications which have satisfied all the criteria, especially the quality proposals which reflect the policy needs and themes of the Call.

Step 4: Eligibility of the applicant and partners – The PSPPD will only verify the eligibility of the provisionally selected proposals. These applicants will have 15 calendar days from receipt of the formal letter sent by fax to submit the supporting documents for final verification.

Step 5: The successful applicants are informed of the PSPPDs decision and a contracting process and subsequent grant management relationship will follow, ensuring compliant and confident project implementation.

Note: The EU endorses all four steps which will produce a set of Evaluation Reports and recommendations. The PSPPD will inform all applicants on their status for the composite process - the communication will express the approval/decline of the Evaluation Committee and the endorsement of these decisions by the EU.

For more information of the CFP, please consult the Application Guide

Annual Work Programme (Read more...)

Background to the Grant Process

Call for proposals