The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through its Global Research Technology Development (GRTD) portfolio, invites concept notes for a new research commissioning initiative: New Frontiers of Conflict Research.
The initiative will fund short-term research to strengthen FCDO’s ability to understand, anticipate and respond to emerging global conflict trends.
We are interested in receiving a diverse range of perspectives and particularly welcome applications from organisations and consortia that include:
- researchers and institutions based in the Global South
- researchers with direct experience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts
- meaningful leadership roles for local researchers and organisations
Who can apply
Concept notes must be submitted by legally registered organisations or consortia of legally registered organisations.
Individuals cannot apply directly. Individual researchers, including academics and independent experts, may be included as part of a team led by an eligible organisation.
Research focus
FCDO is seeking research to strengthen its ability to understand, anticipate and respond to emerging global conflict trends. The initiative also seeks to expand thematic and geographic expertise across priority regions and issue areas.
Concept notes should address at least one of the following geographic areas:
- the Middle East, broadly understood
- the Horn of Africa, broadly understood
- Eastern Europe, including Ukraine
Comparative research that includes other regions will also be considered, provided it includes at least one of the priority areas listed above.
Research themes
Concept notes should address one of the following themes:
Research under this theme should explore:
Through what mechanisms and processes do changes in state-society relations generate, intensify, or mitigate conflict in specific (or different) contexts?
We are particularly interested in concepts that consider specific and new dimensions of this question. These may include, but are not limited to, shifts in service delivery, governance failures, economic and climate shocks, decentralisation processes, and corruption scandals. We also welcome comparative research where feasible within the project timeframe.
Research under this theme should explore:
In what ways are external interventions in conflict and peacebuilding changing in practice? What are the emerging implications for state-society relations and under what conditions do these changes influence conflict trajectories?
We are particularly interested in concepts that examine specific, new dimensions of this question or investigate a case study or comparative case studies (if feasible). Concepts should consider whether and how external intervention is changing in specific or comparative fragile and conflict contexts, and the implications for state-society relations, conflict management, and durability of conflict and peace.
New Frontiers Pathfinding Papers
This call builds on insights from an earlier New Frontiers project that produced a series of three New Frontiers Pathfinding Papers. Together, these built on sector consultation, particularly with Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), and helped shape the strategic direction of this call.
Links to the papers are provided below:
- Verjee, A., Turkmani, R. and Getachew, E. (2026) New Frontiers: Pathfinding paper 1 – Drivers of conflict. London: GRTD Research Commissioning Centre. Available at: https://www.grtd.fcdo.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/New-Frontiers-Pathfinding-Report-1.pdf.
- Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, The University of Manchester (2026) New Frontiers: Pathfinding paper 2 – Trajectories out of conflict. London: GRTD Research Commissioning Centre. Available at: https://www.grtd.fcdo.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/New-Frontiers-Pathfinding-Report-2.pdf.
- Thissen, P. and Sahu, S. (2026) New Frontiers: Pathfinding paper 3 – Knowledge production ecosystems in fragile and conflict-affected settings. London: GRTD Research Commissioning Centre. Available at: https://www.grtd.fcdo.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/New-Frontiers-Pathfinding-Report-3.pdf.
Commissioning timeline
This initiative forms part of an existing FCDO conflict research programme and will follow a two-stage commissioning process:
- Expression of Interest (concept note stage) – launching 11 June 2026 with a deadline to submit by 23:00 BST 30 June 2026.
- Full Proposal Stage – Applicants have been advised that due to the high volume of applications received the full proposal stage will commence on 17 July, with a new deadline of 10 August to submit. Decisions will be communicated on 15 July.
Projects are expected to commence in September 2026.
Research must be completed and working papers delivered by February 2027, with revisions and final approval in March 2027.
Please note that this timeline is indicative and dates may change.
Submission instructions
Applicants will be required to submit concept notes through the designated application form on the SmartSimple system.
The application will include:
- principal investigator details and CV
- research questions
- geographic focus
- proposed methodology, including feasibility within a six-month timeframe
- research team composition
- budget band
Budget bands
Applicants will be asked to select one of the following budget bands:
- £0 to £100,000
- £100,000 to £200,000
Shortlisting decisions will take budget bands into account to support an effective distribution of available resources.
Scoring criteria and decision making
Concept notes will be assessed through a competitive process that reflects FCDO’s priorities for quality, relevance and operational capacity.
FCDO will assess proposals against the following criteria:
FCDO will assess whether the proposal:
- demonstrates a deep understanding of the research need
- addresses new or emerging dynamics linked to the selected research theme
- clearly articulates the potential of the research approach to produce novel findings
- uses a research methodology that is appropriate for generating new insights
- foregrounds the experiences and voices of people in fragile and conflict-affected contexts
FCDO will assess whether the team:
- has experience applying the selected methodology to develop rigorous research in fragile and conflict-affected settings, demonstrated via previous research outputs
- has expertise in the selected geography
- foregrounds meaningful leadership contributions from local researchers and organisations; proposals that do so, including principal investigator roles, will be prioritised
- demonstrates an equitable approach to partnerships, including through budget allocations and project leadership roles, particularly with respect to local partners in conflict-affected settings
FCDO will assess whether:
- the methodology is feasible within the project timeframe
- the team composition is appropriate for the proposed work
- the work can be delivered within the selected budget band
Shortlisting and full proposals
Following the submission of concept notes, FCDO will complete an internal assessment and invite a small number of shortlisted applicants to submit full proposals. Feedback may be given on request.
Shortlisting decisions will be made strategically, taking into account:
- the research area, to ensure a balanced and policy-relevant portfolio across priority themes and regions
- the budget band, to support an effective distribution of available resources within programme constraints (£0 to £100,000; £100,000 to £200,000)
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Further guidance will be provided to selected applicants.
Frequently asked questions
We have compiled questions from potential applicants since the call launched on 11 June 2026, grouped into five categories: General, Eligibility, Desired outputs, Contracting, and Funding.
Enquiries
For further information, email rcc@3ieimpact.org, with ‘New Frontiers of Conflict Research’ in the subject line.