GCF Research Grants Round 3 – Call for Proposals

GCF is call for proposals for funding to support research in economics or multidisciplinary studies that bridge economics with social sciences, management, and humanities, with greater emphasis on advancing economic development.

The Gamani Corea Foundation (GCF) is an autonomous, non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing economic development, with particular focus on Sri Lanka. The Foundation was set up by Dr. Gamani Corea, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The GCF Research Grants Scheme aims at promoting innovative economic and multidisciplinary research to promote economic development in middle and low-income countries with special reference to Sri Lanka.

Team Grants

• This category of grants will be offered to a team of researchers. The team should consist of at least 3 members.
• The team leader: Should have: (a) either a Ph.D. in Economics or (b) a Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Mathematics, Statistics, Management, the Social Sciences, or Humanities, from a reputed university, and a track record of successful research and publications.
• The team members: Researchers with a Ph.D. qualification with expertise in economics or a complementary discipline. A qualification of less than a Ph.D. can also be considered if the researcher has a track record of successful research and publications and/or successful policy development and implementation. If the team leader is not an economist, the team should include at least one researcher with a Ph.D. in Economics from a reputed university.

Individual Grants

• Individuals with a Ph.D. in Economics can apply for this grant. A qualification less than a Ph.D. can also be considered if the researcher has a track record of successful research and publications and/or professional credentials in policy development and implementation.

·       Theoretical or empirical economic analysis of critical development issues facing Sri Lanka, or low-income and middle-income countries inclusive of Sri Lanka.

·       Research using a multidisciplinary approach complementing economic analysis. 

Click here to download topics prioritized by the GCF

• Interested researchers or research teams are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI should include the proposed research title, a brief abstract outlining the project, and the area of research. For team grant applications, the names of all team members should be provided, clearly identifying the team leader. Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of all researchers involved in the project should also be attached.
• The Foundation will inform the applicants whose EOIs qualify as potentially promising research. Upon receiving notification of selection, the invited individuals or teams will be requested to prepare a detailed proposal. Guidelines and requirements for the detailed proposals will be provided along with the notification of selection.
• The completed EOIs should be emailed to research@gcfsl.org on or before September 30th, 2026.

Note: Student research work, including Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Sc., M.A., or equivalent programs, are not eligible for funding under this grant scheme.

For inquiries or additional information, please reach out to the Research Management Division of the GCF:

Email: research@gcfsl.org

Phone:+94 11 269 3035