Calling Individual Researchers & Research Organizations from Around the World: Apply for the Hinrich Foundation International Trade Research Program 2026

Call for Research Proposals: Hinrich Foundation International Trade Research Program

The Hinrich Foundation is inviting submissions for its biannual call for research proposals. Through its International Trade Research Program, the Foundation supports innovative research that contributes to a deeper understanding of global trade dynamics and informs effective policy development.

The upcoming submission deadline is October 31, 2025.

Focus Areas

The Foundation welcomes proposals that address key themes in global trade, with a focus on:

• Sustainable trade
• Digital trade
• Cross-border investment
• Trade and geopolitics

These themes are not ranked in any order of preference. Proposals are expected to engage critically with these topics and contribute to the broader discourse on global trade.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to individual researchers and research organizations from around the world. Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in trade-related research or policy work. Proposals may involve either new research or a synthesis of existing, previously published work relevant to the Foundation’s priorities.

Submission Requirements

To be considered, each research proposal must include the following components:

1. Researcher Information
   • Full name and credentials of the researcher(s)
   • Institutional affiliation (if applicable)
2. Research Synopsis
   • A clear and concise overview of the proposed topic
   • Identification of two to four key questions the research aims to address
   • Explanation of the research method (primary data collection, secondary data analysis, or both)
   • Emphasis on relevance to one or more of the Foundation’s thematic areas
3. Research Format
   • Researchers may propose:
     • A new research project, which could include one or more white papers and/or articles
     • A summary or overview of existing work, even if already published elsewhere
   • Preferred deliverables:
     • White papers (~4,000 words)
     • Articles (~1,600 words)
   • All deliverables will undergo editorial review, and final publication is at the discretion of the Foundation
4. Timetable and Interim Deliverables
   • Proposed research projects should aim to be completed within four months of commission
   • Researchers are expected to provide regular updates and incorporate feedback from the Foundation’s research team
   • Researchers may be asked to submit one or two interim articles (~1,600 words) summarizing preliminary findings
5. Funding Request
   • The proposal should include a funding request, based on the scope and scale of the research
   • Funding amounts are negotiable and are typically disbursed upon successful completion of the project

Submission Timeline

• Next deadline for proposal submission: October 31, 2025
• Proposals are reviewed twice annually: deadlines fall on May 31 and October 31

Example of Funded Research

An example of previously supported research includes a paper examining the impact of EU unilateral green rules on Brazil’s green transition, authored by Rodrigo Fagundes Cezar, Yixian Sun, and Guilherme De Franco, recipients of the Hinrich research grant. This reflects the Foundation’s commitment to funding work that is timely, relevant, and policy-oriented.

How to Apply

Researchers interested in applying should download the full Application Guidelines from the Foundation’s website for detailed instructions. Completed proposals should be submitted via email to:

[email protected]
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025 (11:59 PM local time)

About the Hinrich Foundation

The Hinrich Foundation is a philanthropic organization focused on advancing sustainable global trade through research, education, and partnerships. Its research program aims to foster informed dialogue on trade policy and build the knowledge base required for practical, implementable solutions in international trade.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.