Research & Policy (R&P) Grant for Early Career Researchers

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    IEA & European Commission (DG EAC)

Research & Policy (R&P) Grant for Early Career Researchers – Call for Applications

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), KNUST, invites interested faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral candidates to apply for the Research & Policy (R&P) Grant for Early Career Researchers. This grant provides financial support and expert guidance to promising researchers working with data from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) international large-scale assessments (ILSAs).

The programme seeks to strengthen research capacity, foster international collaboration, and promote evidence-based policy development in education, particularly in the area of basic skills across Europe. Funded projects will focus on secondary analyses of IEA studies and align with key European Union education priorities.

Grant Benefits

  • €20,000 grant per project (paid as a lump sum to the researcher or their institution)

  • 12-month research period

  • Priority access to IEA training in Hamburg (Summer 2026)

  • Methodological and thematic expert support from IEA and DG EAC

  • Opportunities for policy dialogue and dissemination at the European level

Eligible IEA Studies

Proposals must draw on data from one or more of the following IEA studies:

  • Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

  • Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

  • International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS)

  • International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS)

Thematic Areas

Proposals must address at least one of the following priority areas:

  • Foundational skills in primary education (Grade 4)

    • Reading, mathematics, and science achievement and determinants

  • Digital well-being and social media

    • ICT use, digital skills, engagement, and student well-being

  • Equity and social inclusion

    • Socio-economic status, migration, language, and geographic disparities

  • Democratic values and citizenship

    • Civic knowledge, democratic attitudes, and student participation

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • PhD candidates or researchers who obtained their first doctoral degree within the last five (5) years
    (Master’s degree holders with limited additional research experience may also apply)

  • Demonstrated capacity to conduct quantitative secondary analyses of IEA data

  • A clearly defined research project with relevance to EU education policy

  • Support from at least one senior researcher or policy expert (supervisor)

  • Proficiency in English

Researchers of all nationalities are eligible to apply.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted electronically via the IEA Grant Platform.

Required Documents:

  • Research proposal (structured according to call guidelines)

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • Proof of degree or doctoral enrolment

  • Letter of support from supervisor

  • Letter of support from host institution (if applicable)

Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026

Apply via: https://iea.grantplatform.com/

Interested applicants from KNUST are encouraged to contact the Office of Grants and Research well in advance of the deadline for institutional guidance and endorsement support.