Research News

DFID is consulting on a new Research Strategy for 2008-2013 to replace the current Research Funding Framework. As part of this consultation DFID is looking for suitably qualified service providers to undertake a consultation exercise in Africa and Asia. They will be expected to:

• carry out and analyse a thorough and unbiased consultation process that provides options for improving the effectiveness of DFID funded research for development;
• establish what developing country stakeholders regard as the key issues that should be addressed in DFID's research strategy, including key global trends most likely to affect these research options in future;
• identify ways of working (e.g. those currently used by other organisations to support development research) that offer opportunities for DFID to better respond to user demand, build capacity in the South, and result in research evidence being put to use in policy and practise;
• provide clearly defined ways to better manage research that will help DFID meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and beyond;
• identify options for resolving key research problems.

The contract is expected to start in August 2007 and will run for approximately 3 months with the possibility of an extension of up to 6 months.