What we fund

The IID program funds interdisciplinary research activities that will bring together innovation and development scholars to contribute to
  • Knowledge generation, through systemic research on innovation in the informal sector and linkages with the formal sector to find out how to transform these marginal innovative activities into sustainable livelihoods

  • Field building, by developing new concepts, methodologies, frameworks, indicators, and research approaches on innovation that lead to inclusive development

  • Capacity building, through peer exchanges and global collaboration within research networks, in particular to build Southern researcher leadership in the field

  • Policy influence, by providing evidence of how policies, regulation, and institutions, such as intellectual property rights, become incentives and/or bottlenecks for innovation within the informal sector
Specifically, IID research focuses on:
  • Innovative activities in the informal sector in areas essential to livelihoods including:

    • natural resources such as the production of fibres (paper, fabric, and other materials), fuels (biofuels and renewable energy), and raw materials. (mining, fishing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and seed production)
    • cultural industries that  blend traditional activities with new technologies in fashion, arts and crafts, cuisine, and tourism
    • services, including transportation, construction, vehicle and building maintenance, packaging and marketing, and waste management

  • Innovation and women in the informal sector, in particular self-employed women entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, and women-led social collectives in the informal sector that innovate to improve livelihoods

  • The roles of intermediaries as bridging agents, brokers, and enablers of knowledge and technology transfers for sustainable livelihoods in the informal sector
 
How to apply

The Innovation for Inclusive Development program accepts research grant ideas on an ongoing basis. We suggest following these steps when submitting an idea for funding consideration:
  1. Read our 2011-2016 program prospectus to better tailor your idea to our program’s priorities and outcome areas.
  2. Browse the synthesis of our previous work to better understand the types of projects that are at the base of inclusive development, and identify knowledge gaps that may interest us.
  3. You can contact our team to discuss the suitability of your research idea. Send inquiries to iid@idrc.ca.
  4. Develop a short concept note (3-5 pages) describing your idea, how it fits with our priorities, and your proposed approach, partners, and intended outcomes. You may also include an initial budget outline and a project timeline.
  5. Submit your short concept note electronically to iid@idrc.ca.
Ideas are peer reviewed by our team. Normally we'll follow up with you on the status of your idea within six weeks of the date of submission. For ideas that we accept, it generally takes six to 12 months from the time a concept note is submitted to IDRC until the grant is issued.

Due to limited funding, IID is unable to fund all submissions. If your idea is unsuccessful, we will let you know.

To learn more on how to apply for IDRC funding, including instructions and application forms, please consult the Centre’s Funding page.

Other funding opportunities:

Calls for proposals are announced on IDRC's Competition page, on the Innovation for Inclusive Development News page, and in the monthly IDRC Bulletin. They are also circulated to our program’s distribution list (to be included on our distribution list, send an email request to iid@idrc.ca).

If you’re an individual seeking funds for research or training, consult the IDRC Fellowships and Awards Program. Learn more about training and mentorship opportunities at IDRC through our Research Award program.
Approach
IDRC funds researchers in the developing world so they can build healthier, more prosperous societies
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