Request for Applications: Gender-based Violence & Clean and Efficient Cookstove and Fuel Interventions in Humanitarian Settings
The Alliance is pleased to announce a request for applications (RFA) to support research to evaluate and increase understanding of the links between clean and/or efficient cookstove and fuel interventions and GBV in humanitarian settings, with preference given to studies that take place in Rwanda. All Alliance partners are eligible to apply. Letters of Intent are highly encouraged and are due on September 19, 2016. Applications are due on October 21, 2016 at 11:59 pm EDT. Please submit all inquiries, letters of intent, and full applications to gender@cleancookstoves.org.
Up to $200,000 will be available to support one study over a 12-month period, dependent on scope and scale of activities proposed. Applicants must be partners of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. For partnership details, and to register as a partner, visit https://cleancookstoves.org/partners/register.html.
Proposals must include or consider the following components:
- The proposed research must contribute to the evidence base demonstrating if and how clean and/or efficient cookstove and/or fuel interventions impact risk and/or incidence of GBV. More specifically, the research must measure non-partner sexual and physical violence and/or attempted non-partner sexual and physical violence during firewood collection. Proposals that seek to measure incidence of non-partner sexual and physical violence during firewood collection are strongly encouraged. Proposals that consider the larger landscape of GBV in humanitarian settings and seek to understand potential unintended consequences, including for example intimate partner violence, will be prioritized.
- Research that compares multiple cooking approaches in order to evaluate which types of interventions are more likely to impact GBV will be given preference. Variation in approach is not limited to different technologies or fuel types, but rather can include elements such as: comparing approaches that include additional interventions such as livelihood activities, GBV sensitization, engagement of the host community, etc.
- Proposed methodology should include, at minimum, baseline assessments measuring GBV indicators prior to the start of a clean and/or efficient cooking project, and mid-line and end-line assessments to determine the impact of the interventions. Quantitative methods are required, but a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods is preferred.
- Proposed research must take place in a humanitarian setting, such as a refugee camp, IDP settlement, or crisis-affected area. Preference will be given to proposals seeking to conduct research in Rwandan refugee camps. The evaluated cooking project can be implemented as part of the study, however it must build on or replicate previous interventions that have demonstrated effectiveness in user adoption, including correct and consistent use of the cookstove and/or fuel. Evaluated projects can also include existing cooking interventions that are being scaled to new beneficiaries.
- Proposals must include training by the academic/research institution for the humanitarian implementing staff on developing and conducting quality baseline and end-line evaluations (including GBV indicators) to ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation. All materials (questionnaire, training program, etc.) should be made public and shared online for others to use when conducting humanitarian energy assessments on GBV indicators.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Please clarify whether a mid-line assessment is a requirement for this proposal?
A: A midline assessment is strongly encouraged, but it is not required.
Q: Does the 12-month study period include the time it would take for the research protocol and tools to be submitted to and approved by the Internal Review Board that may be required in Rwanda?
A: The study period does not include the IRB process. If the process were to be delayed due to IRB requirements, there would be no penalty to the grantee.
Q: With regard to project period, the RFA states the project will take place over 12 months. Does this mean applicants could propose an extended project period beyond 12 months?
A: The 12 month timeline is the suggested period of performance. Please note, the overall project timeline (including submission of a final research report) may not extend beyond January 2018.
Q: What is the anticipated start-date for this research study?
A: No later than December 1, 2016.
Q: Is the funding for this RFA originating from a U.S. government agency?
A: No
Q: Please clarify if bio-sketches should be completed for all team members or just key personnel and how do you define key personnel.
A: Bio-sketches should be completed for key personnel who will be responsible for developing, executing, or overseeing the research project in a substantive way. This includes individuals such as the principal investigator(s) and/or project director(s). If the applicant is bringing on a subgrantee/consultant to support the research implementation, any key individuals that will play a leadership role in the project management or research should also be included.
Q: The application states that up to $200,000 will be available to support one study over a 12-month period. Please clarify whether this budget includes the intervention cost or not.
A: The budget may include costs of the intervention. However, it is expected that researchers will examine an ongoing/existing intervention or program, and therefore the budget is not intended to include the full cost associated with the clean cooking intervention.
Q: Regarding the Investigative Team, the guidelines reflects that: Implementing organizations must be either based in-country or demonstrate substantial local partnerships, including a local co-principal investigator. Do we have to present at this stage a local co-principal investigator?
A: : The applicant must demonstrate that there will be a local co-principal investigator. It is preferred, but not required, that the local co-principal investigator be identified at the proposal stage.
Q: We are applying jointly with another organization. Is this possible? How should we convey this on the cover page?
A: The Alliance encourages partnership between organizations for the purpose of this research. You may include information on both organizations on the cover page to suit your partnership needs.
Q: Concerning the Protection of Human Subjects: is any documentation required at the proposal stage? I understand all documentation has to be submitted prior to the start of the study
A: Applicants are not required to submit documentation pertaining to the protection of human subjects during the proposal stage. However, applicants should include a plan in their proposals demonstrating how they will address the necessary requirements concerning the protection of human subjects.
Q: We are hiring a firm for technical support. Is this considered a subcontract? If so, what should be included?
A: Yes, sub-recipients are considered subcontractors. Please refer to the “Additional Submissions” section on page 10 for the requirements for subcontractors.