Global Research Challenge in Development (GRCD) RFA

The  Global Research Challenge in Development (GRCD) RFA was released in January 2021, with full applications accepted in April 2021. After a competitive review process that included consensus panels, three applications were selected to move through a second phase of co-creation. The co-creation phase focused on technical style and budgetary items to meet USAID and LASER requirements. Additionally, applications were reviewed by USAID gender and environmental specialists. Three teams – two from Nepal and one from Rwanda – ultimately received awards totalling approximately $580,000 over 15 months. LASER PULSE’s GRCD RFA reached a milestone on December 9 with the convening of the Inaugural meeting for awardees. Mission representatives from USAID Nepal and USAID Rwanda joined the call to congratulate the selected teams and extend their support to the winning institutions. 

One of the funded projects in Nepal is led by Dr. Mukta Singh Lama-Tamang from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu in partnership with Dr. Phanwin Yokying from the East-West Center in Hawaii. The focus of the study is on Understanding Social Inclusion and Gender Equality in Nepal through the Lens of Time Use Data with an objective to evidence based policy briefs/recommendations to help foster social inclusion and gender equality. The second project is led by Dr. Smrittee Kala Panta from Little Angels’ College of Management, affiliated with Kathmandu University, in partnership with Mr. Tara Panthi from Heifer International and Dr. Binod Shreshtha from Kathmandu University School of Management. This project aims to contribute to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment by enhancing the adoption of digital technology among women entrepreneurs from marginalized communities in Nepal in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. 

The selected project in Rwanda is led by Dr. Kizito Nishimwe and Dr. Anselme Shyaka from the University of Rwanda, in partnership with Dr. Rosine Manishimwe from the University of Rwanda, Dr. Dirk Maier from Iowa State University, Dr. Geoffrey Dahl and Dr. Diwakar Vyas  from Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the University of Florida, and Dr. Fabrice Ndayisenga from Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board. This project will conduct research on identifying tools and technologies to build resilience of dairy farms and improve dairy production in Rwanda. The objective is to support the modernization of the dairy cattle sub–sector through the adoption of new technologies and management systems.

We look forward to working with these projects and sharing their successes with our network.