The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth has opened applications for its STEG Small Research Grants.
The grant aims to study broad systemic patterns and processes of structural transformation and growth for low and middle-income countries by mirroring in on the following areas:
- The collection, harmonization, and curation of macro-relevant cross-section data.
- Studying the potential impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or advanced automation on labour markets and growth trajectories in low-income countries.
- Research on gender and structural transformation, including issues such as constraints to women’s labour force participation or macro consequences of restrictive policies, norms or constraints affecting women’s work.
- Projects that have been directly affected by aid cuts and where additional funding from STEG can bring the project to completion.
Categories
- Small Research Grants:
- SRGs can fund research assistance, data collection and/or purchase, and potentially research stipends/teaching buyouts (if sufficiently justified). They view this kind of travel (with the possibilities for field visits and conversations with policymakers) as particularly important for researchers who lack prior experience in the countries that they intend to study.
- PhD Research Grants:
- While PhD students are eligible to apply to their Small Research Grant calls, they also issue special calls exclusively for PhD students in order to encourage broader participation in the programme. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD programme to be eligible for these calls and will require a letter of support from their PhD supervisor sent no later than two weeks after the deadline to the STEG Team.
Funding
- For Small Research Grants (SRGs), the grant money ranges from £10,000 to £25,000 to support travel to field sites, even when secondary data is utilized.
- PhD Research Grants (PhD RGs) are up to £15,000 to fund research assistance, data collection and/or purchase, and stipends.
Who qualifies?
- Researchers all over the world are encouraged to apply, and they can collaborate to work on projects
- Russian researchers or those based in Russia cannot apply due to the current political situation and the imposition of economic sanctions.
When and how to apply
Apply before August 11, 2025. Click HERE for more details.
The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) initiative has announced the availability of its Small Research Grants to support studies on structural transformation and growth in low and middle-income countries.
The grant targets several research areas, including the harmonization of macro-relevant data, the impacts of AI and automation on labor markets, gender and structural transformation, and projects affected by aid cuts.
The program offers two categories of grants: Small Research Grants, ranging from £10,000 to £25,000, and PhD Research Grants of up to £15,000.
These funds can cover expenses such as travel, data collection, and research stipends. Researchers worldwide, except those in Russia, are welcome to apply, either individually or collaboratively.
PhD candidates must be enrolled in a program and provide a supervisor's support letter to qualify.
Applications must be submitted by August 11, 2025, with further details available on the STEG website.
This opportunity is particularly beneficial for researchers new to the regions of study, as it encourages on-site engagement with field visits and policymakers.
