Project Background
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Lebanon is key UN agency engaged in addressing the root causes of irregular migration and supporting vulnerable communities. Through its program “Safe in Lebanon: Promoting Health and Well-Being in Communities Prone to Irregular Migration,” IOM aims to enhance access to health services—including mental health and psychosocial support—while also strengthening academic research capacities on migration.
Building on previous research, and in alignment with strategic objectives, the initiative supports Lebanese universities in developing innovative, data-driven research that addresses the socioeconomic drivers of irregular migration. These include poverty, unemployment, and limited access to essential services. The research aims to inform evidence-based policymaking and promote sustainable alternatives to irregular migration, particularly in underserved regions.
Through technical and financial support, the program will empower selected academic institutions to engage in meaningful, community-informed research, fostering national dialogue and contributing to the broader migration management efforts in Lebanon.
Grant Description
IOM Lebanon intends to collaborate with academic institutions to strengthen local research capacities and contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Under the framework of the “Safe in Lebanon” project, successful applicants will receive technical and financial support to design and implement research projects that explore key drivers of irregular migration and propose actionable solutions.
With IOM’s guidance, selected universities will be expected to undertake the following activities:
- Develop and implement a research study focused on irregular migration from Lebanon, addressing themes such as health access, economic vulnerabilities, and social resilience.
- Produce high-quality deliverables, including an inception report, interim findings, a draft report, and a final research report within a defined nine-month period.
- Engage stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and community groups, in the research process to ensure relevance and impact.
- Integrate inclusive and ethical research methodologies, including gender-sensitive and youth-focused approaches.
- Contribute to policy dialogue through the dissemination of findings and collaboration with IOM and relevant stakeholders.
This grant opportunity offers universities the chance to directly influence migration discourse and policy by producing research that is grounded in the local context and aligned with international best practices.
Call Type
Call for Trainings
Organisation
Intervention Sectors
Research & Studies
How to Apply
Eligibility Criteria:
- Grant applicants must be from a recognized academic institution or university based in Lebanon.
- Applicants must demonstrate successful past performance in migration-related research, particularly on topics such as irregular migration, socioeconomic vulnerabilities, public health, or community resilience.
- Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in producing high-quality research outputs.
- Applicants must have a research presence in Lebanon, with a demonstrated capacity to conduct fieldwork and stakeholder engagement within the country, including underserved regions such as Akkar and Tripoli.
- Applicants must have the technical and financial capacity to participate in IOM-coordinated orientations, consultations, and research oversight activities throughout the project period.
- Applicants must commit to upholding internationally recognized research ethics, including IOM’s data protection principles, gender-sensitive and inclusive methodologies, and “do no harm” approaches when working with vulnerable populations.
Budget Development Guidelines
All applicants are required to follow the guidelines for the development of the budget below:
- Lump sum budgets will not be accepted. The proposed budget must include a detailed breakdown and a corresponding budget narrative outlining the components under each budget line (e.g., personnel, travel, communication, administrative costs, etc.).
- The budget must be output-based and reflect the delivery of key milestones (e.g., Inception Report, Interim Findings, Draft Report, Final Report).
- All costs must be justified and linked to the proposed research activities.
- The budget should also include any applicable taxes under Lebanese law and account for the applicant’s institutional obligations.
- Only costs directly related to the implementation of the research project are eligible for inclusion.
- IOM reserves the right to request clarification or adjustments to the proposed budget during the review process.
Evaluation Criteria
All completed applications will be evaluated against the following criteria. Proposals must:
- Have clear and concrete objectives, communicated simply and coherently.
- Contribute to the objectives of the Call for Grant Applications.
- Be realistic and achievable, considering the proposed budget and the 9-month timeframe.
Applications will be evaluated and scored by an evaluation committee composed of the IOM program and operational staff, in line with the selection criteria and weighting outlined below. A combined scoring method will be applied, where:
- The Technical Proposal will be weighted at 70% (maximum 700 points)
- The Financial Proposal will be weighted at 30% (maximum 300 points)
- A minimum passing technical score of 700 points (out of 1000) is required to be considered for funding
Selection Criteria
Criteria
Description
Maximum Points
Expertise of the Applicant Institution
Relevant research experience in migration studies, social sciences, or policy analysis; 10+ years of high-quality research production; ability to work in complex environments (e.g., Akkar, Tripoli); familiarity with Lebanon’s context and stakeholders.
200
Soundness of the Technical Proposal
A clear understanding of the assignment; solid conceptual framework including literature review, problem statement, research questions, methodology, and analysis plan; well-defined scope; feasible and realistic work plan.
500
Management Structure and Research Team
Qualifications and experience of the team leader and researchers; leadership and coordination capacity; relevant academic credentials; ability to apply advanced methodologies and inclusive approaches (gender/youth-sensitive); fluency in Arabic and English.
300
Total Technical Score: 1000 points
Minimum passing technical score: 700 points
Financial proposals will be evaluated separately and weighted at 30%. The final award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically compliant proposal(s) based on the combined score.
Requests for clarification or additional information must be submitted in writing to recbey@iom.int, copying dtmlebanon@iom.int before 30 April 2025. IOM will compile all questions and respond to all organizations shortly after. To ensure transparency, IOM will not engage in bilateral discussions with organizations during the application period.
Completed applications must be submitted in English and sent to beyproc@iom.int, copying dtmlebanon@iom.int with the subject line: CA Reference # - Grant Application - *Name of Organization* by 30 April 2025. A complete application must include:
- One-page cover letter, signed and stamped
- Annex A – Call for Grant Applications
- Annex B – Project Concept Note.docx l
- Annex C – Project budget.xlsx
- Annex D - Declaration of Conformity
PLEASE NOTE THAT SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUNDING
Deadline
Countries
Lebanon