The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), through its Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC), invites proposals to deliver a programme synthesis for the Strategic Partnership on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition — documenting the academic and policy contributions of the programme’s 41 grants ahead of its Programme Completion Review (PCR).
At a glance
The work will document the academic and policy contributions of the programme’s 41 grants through a synthesis of academic findings, bibliometric analysis, and an analysis of the research portfolio’s wider policy outcomes. To assess the policy contributions of the portfolio, the review team will be asked to consider existing reporting from grantees, conduct a grantee survey and key informant interviews and to develop case studies demonstrating outcomes. This work will feed directly into FCDO’s Programme Completion Review (PCR).
We welcome bids from any organisation(s) able to deliver against the FCDO’s scope of work and encourage applications from groups of individuals or partners who bring their skills together. We particularly welcome applications from organisations and consortia that include:
- researchers and institutions based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in line with the RCC’s commitment to equitable research partnerships
- organisations based in, or partnering with institutions in, countries where projects under this programme have been delivered
- meaningful leadership roles for local researchers and organisations
Who can apply
This call is open to legally registered organisations with the capacity to deliver high-quality research. Applications may be submitted by individual organisations or consortia. Applications from individuals are not eligible.
The call is open globally. The RCC strongly encourages applications from organisations based in, or partnering with institutions in, LMICs, in line with its commitment to equitable research partnerships. Consortia are permitted and should reflect clear and complementary roles between the Lead Organisation and any downstream partners. Any conflicts of interest must be declared at the application stage.
Research focus
FCDO is seeking a team able to bring together disparate grant-level material, engage the research community involved in delivering the grants, and tell credible, well-evidenced stories of contribution and impact. This is explicitly a learning exercise rather than a robust impact evaluation. Proposals should address all four research questions:
- RQ1: What are the main academic contributions of the programme’s 41 grants, and how do these map onto the three outcome areas?
- RQ2: What is the volume, reach and collaborative structure of the programme’s peer-reviewed publication output?
- RQ3: How has the programme contributed to the wider evidence base, and what lessons emerge for FCDO, the Gates Foundation and the sector?
- RQ4: To what extent, and through what pathways, have the programme’s research outputs influenced agriculture/nutrition policy and practice?
Research themes
The synthesis must cover all three of the programme’s outcome areas:
- Increasing consumption of nutrient-dense foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, including efforts to build consumer demand, improve affordability and strengthen local markets.
- Food safety, focusing on reducing foodborne disease through safer value chains and improved surveillance.
- Scaling impact of nutritious food systems data and interventions, spanning nutrition-sensitive agriculture and value-chain interventions, food systems data and affordability-of-healthy-diet metrics.
Commissioning timeline
The project duration will be approximately six months from the issue of the contract, with final outputs delivered by March 2027 at the latest to feed FCDO’s PCR. Applicants should note that, owing to the programme’s closure, the budget must be spent before the end of February 2027. Proposals should phase activity and disbursements to reflect this.
| Stage | Target dates |
|---|---|
| Call for proposals launched | 29 June 2026 |
| Deadline for queries | 10 July 2026 |
| FAQs posted | 15 July 2026 |
| Proposal submission deadline | 3 August 2026 |
| Triage/proposal moderation | 3–17 August 2026 |
| Selection committee meetings | 18–19 August 2026 |
| Outcome decided and bidders notified | 20 August 2026 |
| Due diligence completed | 18 September 2026 |
| Signing of the accountable grant | Expected by 18 September 2026 (dependent on successful due diligence) |
| Inception report, analytical framework and grantee survey instrument | Within 5 weeks |
| Grantee survey fielded; bibliometric dataset compiled; cases selected | Within 12 weeks |
| Draft outputs: findings synthesis, bibliometric analysis/dashboard, case studies | Within 20 weeks |
| Final programme synthesis report plus publishable executive summary | February 2027 |
Estimated budget
The estimated budget limit of the project is £85,000 (inclusive of VAT and other charges). Payments will be made in tranches linked to agreed deliverables. All funded activities must demonstrate clear Value for Money (VfM), ensuring that resources are used efficiently, proportionately and in direct support of agreed objectives.
Criteria for selection
The proposals will be appraised based on the following criteria. CVs should not exceed two pages per applicant.
- Understanding of Call for Proposals: 25%
- Methodological approach and academic rigour: 25%
- Proposed team: 15%
- Ethics, equity and inclusion: 10%
- Financial feasibility and value for money: 10%
- Research Uptake / Dissemination Plan: 15%
Applying
Before applying, please view the Request for Proposals document for the full background, suggested methodologies, key design considerations, risk register, preferred team expertise, detailed budget guidance and eligibility requirements.
Completed proposals should be submitted via the SmartSimple platform by 23:59 BST on 3 August 2026. Proposals received after the due time and date will not be considered.
Frequently asked questions
We have compiled questions received from potential applicants since the call was announced.
Read the FAQs
Enquiries
Queries can be submitted by 10 July 2026, after which frequently asked questions will be posted with responses.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please email rcc@3ieimpact.org, with ‘Enquiry – Nutrition Programme Synthesis’ in the subject line.