The Peace & Recovery Initiative (PRI), funded by UK International Development, is now accepting proposals for its ninth round of funding. PRI focuses on supporting innovative projects aimed at understanding and addressing the complex issues surrounding social and political violence, as well as the multifaceted challenges of post-conflict recovery.
The initiative is particularly interested in projects that explore the causes of conflict, the dynamics of violence, and strategies for recovery in areas affected by conflict, political instability, and humanitarian emergencies.
PRI funds a variety of research and programmatic activities, including impact evaluations, pilot studies, exploratory research, and support for policy outreach. Additionally, the initiative supports infrastructure and public goods projects that can inform and shape policies and programs focused on preventing violence, responding to crises, and aiding recovery efforts. By supporting these projects, PRI aims to generate robust evidence that can guide better practices and policies for peacebuilding and recovery in volatile contexts.
Areas of Focus for PRI Proposals
The PRI funds research that addresses a broad spectrum of violence and conflict-related issues, with an emphasis on both prevention and recovery. The areas of interest include:
- International and Civil Wars: Research that addresses the causes and consequences of large-scale wars, focusing on conflict resolution and post-conflict rebuilding.
- State-Supported Violence and Repression: Including issues such as mass killings, police brutality, and the political repression that often accompanies authoritarian regimes.
- Electoral Violence: Proposals that explore violence and unrest during or after elections, focusing on prevention strategies and the stabilization of electoral processes.
- Collective Action Violence: Including riots, protests, and strikes, which are often driven by political, economic, or social grievances.
- Intergroup Violence: Understanding and addressing ethnic and sectarian violence, including strategies for reconciliation and healing.
- Terrorism and Violent Extremism: Research focused on combating terrorism, addressing radicalization, and promoting deradicalization and reintegration of individuals involved in extremist activities.
- Recovery after Conflict or Crises: Projects focusing on the recovery of individuals, communities, and nations in the aftermath of conflict, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises.
Research Themes for PRI Projects
The PRI encourages projects that contribute to the evidence base around program effectiveness and impact, particularly those that identify mechanisms behind the success or failure of interventions. The initiative is particularly interested in research that explores the following key themes:
- Understanding and Preventing Individual Participation in Violence: This includes research that seeks to understand why individuals engage in violent behavior and how to prevent it. It could involve examining the social, psychological, and economic factors that drive people to violence.
- Combating Armed Groups and Supporting Reintegration: Research aimed at understanding how to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate individuals and groups involved in violent conflict. This theme also includes exploring the effectiveness of existing reintegration programs.
- Addressing Prejudice and Building Social Cohesion: Proposals that focus on reducing prejudice, fostering tolerance, and building horizontal social cohesion between different groups within society. This includes understanding how social identities can contribute to conflict and how to foster collaboration across diverse communities.
- Strengthening Household and Community Resilience: Projects aimed at building the capacity of households and communities to recover from shocks and crises. Research in this area looks at strengthening community networks, improving access to resources, and fostering resilience to future crises.
- Building Institutions, Resolving Disputes, and Delivering Justice: Proposals that explore how to strengthen legal and political institutions to provide justice, resolve conflicts, and deliver essential services in post-conflict or crisis environments.
- Addressing Root Causes and Preventing Future Crises: Research that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of violence and conflict, with an emphasis on long-term solutions that prevent the recurrence of crises.
Call for Proposals: Timeline and Submission Details
PRI’s ninth round of funding is now open, and the following timeline outlines important dates for the submission of proposals:
- March 18, 2025: The competitive round for PRI Round IX is announced.
- April 25, 2025: Optional Expression of Interest submission deadline. This is an opportunity for potential applicants to briefly outline their proposal before submitting a full proposal.
- June 13, 2025: Full Proposal Submission Deadline. This is the final deadline for submitting detailed research proposals for consideration.
- September 2025: Awards Announced. Successful proposals will be notified and funded by PRI.
Funded Projects and Areas of Impact
PRI-funded projects are expected to make meaningful contributions to the understanding of conflict and recovery processes. They should demonstrate how evidence can be translated into practical solutions for governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders working in conflict and post-conflict settings. The initiative encourages innovative and scalable solutions that can be applied in diverse contexts, ensuring that the findings from one region can inform broader peacebuilding efforts globally.
Additionally, PRI’s funding provides vital support to researchers, practitioners, and organizations working in some of the world’s most vulnerable and crisis-affected regions. The goal is to ensure that policies and interventions are grounded in rigorous evidence, ultimately improving the effectiveness of peacebuilding and recovery efforts.
How to Apply
To apply for funding under PRI’s ninth round, please follow these steps:
- Submit an Optional Expression of Interest by April 25, 2025, to indicate your intention to apply.
- Prepare and submit your full proposal by June 13, 2025. Ensure that your proposal aligns with PRI’s thematic priorities and demonstrates the potential impact of your research or project.
- If you have any questions or need further guidance, please contact PRI via [email protected].
For additional details and resources, such as a recording of the Researcher and Practitioner Information Session, visit the PRI website here.
The PRI’s Call for Proposals provides an exciting opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and organizations to contribute to the global body of knowledge on peace, conflict prevention, and recovery.
By supporting evidence-driven projects that address the complex causes and consequences of violence, PRI plays a key role in shaping more effective peacebuilding strategies and recovery programs worldwide. Don’t miss the chance to apply for this transformative initiative—submit your proposal by June 13, 2025 and be part of a global effort to build peace and resilience in some of the world’s most challenging contexts.
