Research, Extension, Innovation and Resource MobilizationCall for concept notes – Climate change, informal trade, and instability in conflict-affected borderlands? Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT)
The Cross-border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme brings together world-leading experts and local researchers to examine conflict-affected borderlands, how conflicts connect across borders, and the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour. Funded by UK International Development, XCEPT offers rigorous public good research to advance scholarship and inform policies and programmes that support peace. The programme includes the XCEPT Research Fund (XRF) to commission high-quality new research. The XCEPT Research Fund (XRF) is inviting applications for up to £120,000 GBP of funding for a 12-month project that will produce innovative, empirically grounded research examining the relationship between climate change, informal trade networks, and instability in conflict-affected borderlands, with a focus on the role of informal cross-border trade in the causal pathways linking climate stress to instability and conflict.
Eligibility
- This funding opportunity is only open to organisations.
- Applicants should name a Principal Investigator (and Co-Investigators, as relevant). They expect Principal Investigators to be academics, subject matter experts, or advanced practitioners engaged in research, policy, or programme activities. Principal investigators will usually hold a PhD, but other equivalent academic or professional qualifications will also be considered
- Applications from consortia, partnerships or networks of two or more organisations are welcome. For all consortia, a lead organisation should be declared.
- Applicant organisations can be either for-profit or not-for-profit.
- Researchers and research organisations based in or from countries in the Global South are encouraged to apply, independently or in partnership with researchers or research organisations based in the Global North.
- The proposed research should concentrate on XCEPT’s core geographic regions. Proposals that address other geographies will be considered. Research may focus on a single region or span multiple regions, with particular interest in research that offers comparative value for XCEPT’s core areas of focus
XCEPT Through this call, expect to fund one project, with a maximum budget of £120,000.
The deadline for concept note submissions is Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 10:00 BST