Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP) Grant

About this grant

The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) runs an annual Call for Proposals under two separate programmes: the Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP) and the Scientific Capacity Development Programme (CAPaBLE). The CRRP funds collaborative regional research that improves understanding of physical, biological, social, economic and governance aspects of change in the Earth system and advances actionable science informing decision making. Proposals must engage at least three member or approved countries and prioritise codesigned, actionable research with non-academic stakeholders. Codesign is compulsory for all APN-funded projects. Researchers, policymakers, decision makers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society and the private sector must be involved from the outset in setting objectives, methods, implementation pathways and expected outcomes. Full proposals must include letters of commitment from collaborating organisations describing their roles in codesign, coimplementation and coevaluation. Eligible CRRP activities include codesigned research addressing GAPS, ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS and ASSESSMENT work; research contributing to the Paris Agreement, SDGs, Sendai Framework, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Decade of Ocean Science and IPCC/IPBES knowledge; research developing pathways, mechanisms and adaptation strategies; and place-based integrative research, particularly from developing countries. Projects are aligned with APN's thematic areas and with priority topics set annually by subregional committees. The call follows a four-stage process: a Stage 1 summary proposal (November to February), an invitation-only Stage 2 full proposal (March to June), final decisions and announcements (June to July), and project commencement in October. Early career professionals and ECP-majority teams receive priority consideration.

Eligibility

Researchers, academics and practitioners working in institutions based in APN member countries and approved countries are eligible to apply. CRRP proposals must engage at least three member or approved countries in the region. Early career professionals and ECP-majority project teams are strongly encouraged and receive priority. Detailed eligibility is set out in the CRRP and CAPaBLE Guide for Proponents on the APNIS system. Full proposals are by invitation only following Stage 1.

How it's scored

Stage 1 summary proposals are evaluated through an internal review process. Stage 2 full proposals and compulsory appendices, including a response to Stage 1 review feedback, are evaluated through internal and external review. Detailed review criteria are provided in the separate call guidelines on APNIS. Codesign engagement evidenced by letters of commitment is required at full proposal stage, and alignment with APN's Sixth Strategic Phase Plan (2026-2030) goals is expected.

Key requirements

• ✓Regional research collaboration with policy-relevant outcomes on global change
• ✓Focus on climate, biodiversity, water, food-energy systems, or risk-resilience themes
• ✓Sound scientific basis for policymaking in affected regions
• ✓Competitive selection process

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP)?

Eligibility covers organisations in ASIA, SE-ASIA, SOUTH-ASIA, EAST-ASIA, OCEANIA; university, research-institution, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.