The CLARE programme’s 2022 open call for proposals met an impressive global response: 1,661 applications from nearly 70 countries. This response underscored both the diversity of actors working in the adaptation space, as well as the demand for inclusive, action-oriented climate research across the Global South. 

A new report from Transitions Research takes a critical look at CLARE’s 2022 call for proposals process. This report was commissioned by the CLARE programme to generate lessons for future funding rounds and to strengthen adaptation research systems.  

Two briefs were developed to present insights from the analysis for specific audiences: “Making locally led adaptation fundable at scale”, which outlines lessons for funders designing global adaptation research funding, and “Reflections for local organisations from a global adaptation funding call process review”, which focuses on how local organisations can write stronger research proposals. 

A critical look at CLARE’s open research call

The key insights report “Lessons from a Critical Look at the CLARE 2022 Open Research Calls” assesses the quality of submissions, equity of the review process, accessibility of the call, and implications for both funders and applicants. 

The analysis yielded important insights into what made successful proposals stand apart, as well as into the design of the research call. 

5 differentiators of successful proposals

Five factors distinguished successful proposals from unsuccessful ones:

• Coherence and feasibility of design
• Methodological rigour
• Meaningful integration of gender equality and inclusion (GEI)
• Equitable partnerships with Southern leadership
• Clear pathways from research to impact

By contrast, the analysis found that many unsuccessful proposals were over-scoped, vague in methods, superficial in their GEI framing, or unclear in governance and resource-sharing arrangements between partners.

Reflections on the design of the CLARE’s open research call

The analysis identified aspects of the design of the call that were valued by applicants, including its detailed guidance, dual funding windows for small and large grants, and robust GEI framework.  

At the same time, the report highlights opportunities to enhance the process, pointing to language accessibility, additional support for early-stage applicants, and early efforts to ensure reviewer scoring calibration.  

The report outlines a phased roadmap of recommendations to inform future calls and strengthen the ecosystem of adaptation research.