Call for concept notes: Policy responses to address conflict economies in borderlands

This XCEPT Research Fund (XRF) call for proposals will support the development of 4-8 research projects that examine policy and programme interventions in conflict-affected borderlands, with a particular focus on surfacing actionable insights to address challenges related to conflict economies and how licit/illicit economic activity intersects with conflict and governance in borderlands.

This Call for Concept Notes is designed to respond to and build on past borderland and cross-border conflict dynamics highlighted in XCEPT-supported research to date, generating more focused analysis on policy responses or approaches that address the linkages between borderland conflict economies and the local, national and transnational drivers of conflict, as well as actionable recommendations for their improvement. Proposals should make clear how the research will assess concrete policy tools, mechanisms, or strategies (whether past, existing or proposed) in response to borderland and cross-border conflict dynamics, and bring forward key considerations for more effective policy and programme design. This might include:

1. Policies, tools, or initiatives designed to address the ways that licit/illicit economic activity intersects with conflict and governance in borderlands, including local, national, or inter-/transnational regulatory and oversight mechanisms; cross-border trade initiatives and regulation, including domestic or international taxation, financial, and trade policies or interventions; etc.

2. Aspects of stabilisation and security policies and interventions that address conflict economies in borderlands, including cross-border security cooperation, border management, maritime interdiction, and/or peace operations and interventions led by regional organisations or other ad hoc coalitions, etc.

3. Aspects of governance or livelihood policies and interventions that address conflict economies in borderlands, including anti-corruption and transparency initiatives, alternative livelihoods programming, or cross-border or regional coordination - as well as national or local initiatives.

Funding support up to £120,000 is available per award, depending on the scope of the research and methods employed.

Applications are welcome from both individuals and organisations.

Interested applicants can read more about this opportunity here: https://www.xcept-research.org/grants_post/call-for-concept-notes-policy-responses-to-address-conflict-economies-in-borderlands/

The deadline for submission is Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 10:00 BST.