Call for Proposals – Phase I

Strengthening Information Society Research Capacity Alliance (SIRCA) III

2015 – 2017

APPLICATION CLOSED

Deadline for Proposals June 19, 2015

SIRCA III is a theory and capacity building research programme that began in April 2015 and will run for a period of two years. SIRCA III will fund research projects led by teams of two senior researchers and/or practitioners investigating open development topics in developing countries in Asia, Africa, or Latin America.

For the purposes of this call, we define Open Development as the strategic application of digitally-enabled openness to help solve a development problem. However, there are diverse meanings of, and interests behind open development. Improving our understanding of open development through research is an increasingly critical activity. The relevance of “open” and “openness” is an emerging area of thought and practice within international development (Bentley, 2014; Braybrooke, Nissila, & Vuorikivi, 2013; Cyranek, n.d.; Girard & Perini, 2013; Smith, Elder, & Emdon, 2011; Smith & Reilly, 2013; Smith 2014). Predicated on the increasing spread of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, new digitally-enabled forms of openness are increasingly being promoted and implemented in developing country contexts. However, evidence is still scant as to whether or not, how, and under what circumstances openness actually contributes to solving development problems. Rigorous research is essential to inform and assess current and future open activities that have positive impact on development and well-being.

The objectives of the SIRCA III programme are to:

  1. Develop and refine cross-cutting Open Development theory;
  2. Interrogate, validate, and test emergent theoretical frameworks of Open Development with empirical evidence gathered in developing countries;
  3. Communicate theory and research to influencing policy, practice, and public opinion;
  4. Build intellectual leadership and critical research skills amongst researchers in developing countries through mentorship by senior research teams.

The SIRCA III programme involves two phases, a theoretical phase and an empirical phase. Please download and read the full Call for Proposals for a description of each phase, the deliverables required and the timeline of the programme:

Please also let us know if you intend to submit a proposal by filling in the following Expression of Interest form:

You will need to submit the following forms with your application:

Please send your completed application by June 19, 2015 to sirca@ntu.edu.sg