Deadline: February 2, 2026
The STEG Larger Research Grants 2026 are now open under the sixth call for proposals by the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) programme. This funding opportunity supports high-quality, policy-relevant research that advances understanding of economic growth and structural transformation, particularly in low-income countries.
These grants are designed to enable researchers to undertake rigorous empirical and theoretical work that can inform policy and contribute meaningfully to development outcomes, with a strong emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa.
About the STEG Programme
Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) is a global research programme focused on generating new evidence on how economies grow and transform. The programme supports research that addresses structural barriers to growth and identifies pathways to sustainable economic development in low-income and developing countries.
The Larger Research Grants (LRGs) are intended for more substantial research projects that require deeper investigation, extended timelines, and robust data collection.
Grant Overview
- Grant Type: Larger Research Grants (LRGs)
- Call Number: Sixth Call for Proposals
- Funding Amount: Up to £100,000 per project
- Project Duration: Up to 24 months
- Application Deadline: 2 February 2026 (23:59 BST)
In exceptional cases, proposals with significant and well-justified data collection costs in low-income countries may be considered for funding above the standard £100,000 cap.
Who Can Apply
The STEG Larger Research Grants 2026 are open to researchers worldwide.
Eligible applicants include:
- Researchers based in any country, including low-, middle-, and high-income countries
- Principal Investigators who hold a PhD or are currently enrolled in a PhD programme
- Collaborative teams involving researchers from different institutions and countries
Applications are assessed based on the collective expertise, capability, and experience of the research team.
What the Grant Funds
The grant can be used to cover a wide range of research-related costs, including:
- Research assistance
- Data collection and data purchase
- Teaching buyouts or remuneration for investigators
- Fieldwork and research travel
- Other clearly justified project expenses
Budgets must be realistic, transparent, and demonstrate value for money.
Research Themes and Priority Areas
Proposals should align with STEG’s core research agenda and address one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Data, measurement, and conceptual framing
- Firms, frictions, spillovers, and industrial policy
- Labour, home production, and household-level structural transformation
- Agricultural productivity and sectoral productivity gaps
- Trade and spatial frictions
- The role of the public sector in structural transformation
Cross-Cutting Priorities
Projects that integrate the following cross-cutting issues are strongly encouraged:
- Gender
- Climate change and environmental sustainability
- Inequality and inclusion
Proposals outside these themes may still be considered, provided they clearly contribute to understanding economic growth and structural transformation.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic quality and methodological rigour
- Relevance to policy and development outcomes
- Feasibility and clarity of the research design
- Strength and experience of the research team
- Budget justification and cost effectiveness
- Contribution to the literature on structural transformation and growth
How to Apply
Applicants are required to:
- Prepare a detailed research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and policy relevance
- Submit a comprehensive and justified budget
- Complete all required sections of the online application form
- Submit the application through the official STEG application portal before the deadline
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Call Open: Ongoing
- Application Deadline: 2 February 2026 (23:59 BST)
- Project Duration: Up to 24 months
Why Apply for the STEG Larger Research Grants 2026
- Supports high-impact, policy-relevant economic research
- Open to international researchers and collaborations
- Flexible funding for data-intensive research in low-income contexts
- Strong emphasis on structural transformation and inclusive growth
Need Support with Your Application?
If you require professional support with proposal drafting, proposal refining, or proposal review, you can contact us for tailored assistance to strengthen your application and improve competitiveness.
