Program Name:                                                                      Hamro Samman Project

Request for Application (RFA) No:                                        6817-20-RFA-01

Date RFA Issued:                                                                     October 20, 2020

Due Date and Time for Questions:                                        November 08, 2020

Due Date and Time for Response to Questions:                  November 11, 2020

RFA Closing Date and Time:                                                  November 25, 2020, 5PM [Nepal Time]

Estimated Award Date:                                                          March 2021

Purpose and Background :

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from prospective grantees (local research partners) to support Winrock International (Winrock) in the implementation of the Hamro Samman Project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK Aid Award No. AID 367-A-17-00001. 

Hamro Samman Project is carrying out a variety of research studies on different topics. Thus, the  project is seeking local research partners to conduct field research in Nepal. This will involve working together with international research partners in designing and carrying out the research.  

Objective and Program Description:

Hamro Samman is a five-year project generously supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British people through UK aid. It is implemented in Nepal by Winrock International. Its goal is to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in persons (TIP) in 10 strategically selected districts of Nepal by strengthening coordination and partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector. It aims to improve the delivery of services to trafficking survivors and people at risk of being trafficked. 

The Hamro Samman Project is seeking local research partners to carry out different research works to contribute to the learning and adaptation components of the CLA (Collaboration, Learning and  Adaption) approach. This approach is a set of practices that helps us improve our development effectiveness through research and other learning activities. The research will contribute to better understanding of counter-trafficking responses and what works to reduce human trafficking and further adapt in other CTIP interventions. The local research partners will carry out 3 research projects (one research for one research partner) on the research topics that has been finalized by the Hamro Samman Project as per the list provided below. The local research partner will implement the research  project in coordination with Hamro Samman and CSO partners. 

Each local research grantee will produce a final research report presenting the findings and  recommendations from the research. The local research grantee will also develop a brief paper on the research and engage to facilitate uptake of the research by different CTIP stakeholders. The research report and recommendations will be shared with a wide range of CTIP stakeholders and government agencies to strengthen CTIP advocacy efforts and promote systemic changes for more effective CTIP interventions with development of appropriate policies and programs. The research results and recommendations will also contribute towards Hamro Samman Project’s learning and adapting agenda, drive evidence-based program design and delivery of robust CTIP interventions, and help  expand the evidence based practices on what works and what doesn’t in countering TIP, improving service delivery to TIP survivors and at risk. Hamro Samman Project will own the data and final research product and use it further for dissemination and adapting purpose.  

The main objective of the grant awards by Hamro Samman Project is to carry out a total of 3 JDR3 Research related to countering human trafficking in collaboration with local research partners. The three identified research topics along with brief research areas are as follows:  

• Disrupting TIP in Foreign Employment Sector: Identification of what works to reduce the patterns of TIP and to protect the survivors and people at risk  (Explore how individuals become trafficked in the foreign employment sector and determining the indicators of vulnerability and the factors that contributes towards trafficking of individuals  in the foreign employment sector and analysis on CTIP interventions to reduce TIP in this sector) 
• Review of existing legal barriers for victims’ access to justice and the state’s role in countering TIP   (Review of national and international legislation, legal instruments and procedures, and other policies and practices related to CTIP) 
• Assessment of existing approaches for shelter care services and alternative approaches for delivery of care services to support reintegration of victims of TIP (Action research on different approaches for delivery of care services including referrals to survivors of human trafficking, especially those that are traditionally being provided through shelters, identification of best practices and successful strategies) 

Submission Guidelines

All questions and other communications regarding this RFA should be submitted in writing to Grants and Contracts Specialist at [email protected]. Written responses to questions will be made available to all applicants.

Attached Application Form should be used. The form should be filled in English language, and word  limits should be strictly adhered to; lengthy applications will be disqualified. The word limit does not  include Annexes and supporting documents. 

The application must be submitted electronically via email to [email protected] and  should reference “Application for CTIP Research Award”. Hamro Samman will not accept hard copies.  Applications must be submitted no later than the time and date indicated on the cover page. 

Incomplete or late applications will be marked as such and will be ineligible for review or award;  however, Winrock reserves the right to accept and include incomplete or late applications in the review  and award process when it is considered within the best interest of Winrock to do so. Applications that are submitted late or incomplete run the risk of not being considered for review. 

Applications may be withdrawn by written notice via email received at any time before an award is  made. Applications may be withdrawn in person by an organization or its authorized representative if  the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the application  before award is made. A complete submission, at a minimum, will include the following: 

• A copy of the applicant’s valid legal registration 
• A completed and signed technical application  
• CVs for Proposed Key personnel (not more than 3 pages) 
• Completed and signed budget application  
• Budget supporting documents, including the budget narrative, as applicable 
• Evidence of past research in similar field carried out by research team members 
• Evidence of past research in similar field carried out by the local research organization
• List of references [at least three relevant recent research referee’s details

Receipt time for electronic submissions is when the application is received by Winrock’s Internet  Server. Hand delivery and hardcopy paper submissions of the application will not be accepted after  the stated time on the cover page. Please do not send files in ZIP format and/or online drive link. 

For Detailed Information : CLICK HERE

Annex 1 Application form : CLICK HERE

Annex 2 Research Proposal Framework Template : CLICK HERE

Annex 3 Cost Proposal Template : CLICK HERE