CLEAR is funded by the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and coordinated by the Institute of Development Studies in partnership with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD). For more information contact:
Covid-19 Learning, Evidence and Research Programme for Bangladesh (CLEAR)
In Bangladesh, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted production in agriculture, industry and the informal sector, creating a new class of poor. Additionally, disruption in access to basic services like health care, education, social protection and nutritional services has adversely affected the most vulnerable groups.
Gaps in the existing evidence-base, and a disconnect between the available evidence and the needs of policymakers and practitioners, means that there is an urgent need to gather evidence on the social and political impacts of the pandemic.
About CLEAR
CLEAR is a two-and-half year research programme, launched in 2021, which aims to create a coalition of actors who can generate and champion evidence to support evidence-informed Covid-19 response and recovery and improve preparedness to tackle future crises in Bangladesh. It is led by the UK-based Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in partnership with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), and is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Bangladesh.
Aims
Deliver policy relevant Covid-19 research and evidence tailored to Bangladesh
Influence for increased evidence uptake among policymakers
Learn lessons from the Covid-19 response to better prepare for future shocks.
Research agenda
The programme aims to address the following challenge areas:
1. Poverty and vulnerability: in particular: social protection, livelihoods, education, secondary health needs and nutrition
2. Service delivery, accountability and governance: identifying gaps and increasing the effectiveness of state responses to Covid-19 and interactions between citizens and the local government
3. Protection of rights: how Covid has impacted vulnerable populations and the measures taken to ensure their rights
4. Innovations: digital platforms and alternative channels for service delivery
CLEAR is funded by the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and coordinated by the Institute of Development Studies in partnership with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD). For more information contact:
Programme composition and timeline
Phase 1 - August 2021 to March 2022
Eight thematic scoping papers have been commissioned to inform the research agenda for CLEAR.
These will determine evidence gaps, map relevant expertise, consult key stakeholders and identify opportunities for policy engagement.
Four agile research grants were awarded to build on existing research into Covid-19 impacts and generate rapid evidence to inform the policy response to the pandemic.
Phase 2 - April 2022 to January 2024
An open, competitive call for grant proposals will launch in April 2022 to award £1million (12 crore BDT) of research funding for Bangladesh researchers to generate policy relevant evidence to address key issues in the four challenge areas (eight large grants of up to £100,000 and ten small grants of up to £25,000).
High-level synthesis reports will be commissioned to provide analysis of the body of evidence on key policy areas and emerging issues
Thematic working groups will support grantees to share learning and design timely, accessible, and relevant research outputs that meet the needs of policy makers and practitioners.
Governance and programme structure
An IDS and FCDO-led Steering Committee will ensure an open and transparent awards process and provide overall programme governance
An Expert Advisory Group: comprised of 7 eminent experts will provide strategic direction, shape the research agenda and act as evidence champions and knowledge brokers
A Research Selection Committee composed of independent external experts will judge grant applications and provide technical advice.
An Operations Group composed of IDS staff and supported by BIGD will manage programme delivery, communications, monitoring, evaluation and learning, contracting and partnerships
