Application Deadline:
14 November 2025
About Organisation
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a global nonprofit research and policy organization that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. Working across over 20 countries, IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and scale programs that improve lives. Its work spans sectors including education, health, agriculture, financial inclusion, and private sector development. IPA’s Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development (EPSD) program focuses on improving economic opportunities through evidence-based research that informs entrepreneurship and labor policy. Supported by philanthropic partners like the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, IPA’s initiatives strengthen evidence generation around behavioral, financial, and soft skills interventions to enhance workforce and enterprise outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
About the Grant
The Soft Skills Research Fund by IPA’s EPSD Program, with support from the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, aims to strengthen research on how soft skills—such as communication, resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving—affect employment and entrepreneurship in low- and middle-income countries. The Fund seeks to generate rigorous, policy-relevant evidence that identifies which soft skills matter most, under what conditions, and for which populations. It encourages projects that test the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and implementation quality of soft skills interventions. Supported studies must align with IPA’s shared measurement framework and contribute to comparable cross-study insights. Proposals may include qualitative work, pilots, randomized controlled trials, or longitudinal research. Projects should also commit to open data sharing and dissemination of findings for broader policy use.
Who can Apply?
Applications are open to individuals affiliated with recognized research institutions, including universities, think tanks, and academic organizations. At least one team member must hold a PhD or be currently enrolled in a doctoral program, with demonstrated experience in field research or rigorous impact evaluations. Eligible research must focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and address the development, application, or outcomes of soft skills interventions in entrepreneurship and employment contexts. Multidisciplinary collaborations—bringing together economists, psychologists, and educators—are highly encouraged to enhance contextual and methodological diversity. All projects must adhere to ethical standards such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, share de-identified data publicly within two years of completion, and produce accessible outputs like policy briefs and working papers.
How to Apply?
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining the proposed research idea, objectives, and methodology. Shortlisted teams will be invited to submit a full proposal including a detailed budget, research design, and implementation plan. Applications should be prepared in English and align with the Fund’s measurement framework. All proposals must be submitted online through IPA’s official submission portal by the specified deadline.
Application Deadline
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by November 14, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by January 30, 2026, with award notifications expected by April 1, 2026.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
