DFID Research strategy 2008-2013, implementation timetable for WASH-related research

From October – December 2008, UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) will be scoping:

• research on how to achieve better sanitation coverage, and
• a potential research-into-use programme in water and sanitation

Subject to approval, possible invitations for research will be sent between April 2009 and March 2010.

The above is mentioned in DFID’s Research strategy 2008-2010 implementation timetable. DFID’s WASH-related research priorities were published earlier in this blog [see the full research strategy document here]

The implementation timetable gives external stakeholders information about the likely content and timing of future research competitions and calls for proposals.

In addition, the timetable shows when DFID is likely to develop (i.e. scope) detailed research specifications. This activity has been included because it may generate requirements for external consultancy support, which DFID would advertise (the main determinant being the amount of funding involved). Research which is scoped in a particular area will not necessarily result in a discrete research programme on this topic: DFID may choose instead to bring together research questions on related topics and address the links and inter-dependences among them.

During the course of 2008/9 DFID will also develop its research management arrangements in line with the new strategy, in particular by devising processes for research synthesis, by enhancing research delivery mechanisms and embedding a new framework for monitoring and evaluation.

This timetable covers the current financial year and the next (i.e. April 2008 to March 2009 and April 2009 to March 2010). The timetable will be updated periodically, usually every quarter. It is not a detailed work plan and entries may be subject to change.

Source: R4D