DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme (DEGRP)

ESRC, DFID and ODI have agreed a revised governance structure for DEGRP that will comprise:

An overarching Programme Executive Committee, as at present, staffed by senior managers in ESRC and DFID, taking advice from three groups: A Research Strategy Group, contracted by ESRC, staffed by leading academic experts to: provide strong leadership of DEGRPs research directionframe research callsensure DEGRP delivers high-quality research on key questions of economic growth in developing countriesAn Evidence and Policy Group, contracted by ESRC and based at ODI, that will help get research into use. It will ensure DEGRP research is effectively synthesised for policy makers, communicated, and used to influence policy and practice on economic growth in LICsAn Independent Advisory Committee, appointed by ESRC, comprising academic experts and research users, to advise on: evidence gapsthe DEGRP visionthe research frameworkdemands from usersmaking research findings accessible to academic and non-academic audiences

Since the inception of the former DEGRP Directorate in September 2012, the ODI-based team has begun to establish a strong international profile for DEGRP through their leadership in research uptake, impact and communications, helping to more effectively link the Programme and its constituent parts to research users in the South.

As DEGRP develops and grows, ESRC and DFID recognise that it will become increasingly important to have sufficient resources available for academic leadership of the programme and for maximising the impact of DEGRP-funded research on policy and practice relevant to developing countries. ESRC is also expanding its portfolio of DFID-funded research activity and is seeking to put in place academic leadership arrangements across this portfolio as a whole, not just DEGRP, to strengthen overall coherence and maximise links between the various DFID funded programmes.

ESRC intends to appoint a Research Strategy Group by the end of September 2013. Until the Research Strategy Group is established, the Evidence and Policy Group at ODI will remain the primary point of contact for the Programme and for DEGRP-funded researchers seeking advice on communications, policy engagement and impact. Please contact the Evidence and Policy Group on degrp@odi.org.uk.

When appointed, the Research Strategy Group will work closely with the Evidence and Policy Group to ensure that DEGRP achieves its aspirations in terms of academic, economic and policy impacts.

The current Independent Advisory Committee provides high-level advice to the Programme. Once the Research Strategy Group is in place, the provision of advice will be reviewed.

There were 18 grants funded under the first call of this programme.

All queries or comments about this joint call should be addressed in the first instance to dfid_growth@esrc.ac.uk. For any further enquiries contact:

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