Call for Proposals: Strengthening Grantee Capacities

UKHIH and Elrha are inviting proposals for a new piece of work to strengthen the capacities of grantees engaged in humanitarian research and innovation (HRI).

We are seeking a consultant or research partner to map and recommend best learning practices from Elrha’s grant making programmes and to develop practical tools and resources to address both research/innovation and operational capacity gaps. The work will help Elrha, UKHIH, and the wider sector strengthen grantees’ ability to apply for funding, manage grants effectively, and deliver high-quality, sustainable results.

Key information

• Deadline for submissions: 23:59 (UK time), 2 September 2025
• Maximum budget: £55,000 GBP (exclusive of VAT)

What are we looking for?

The selected provider will:

• Map and recommend best learning practices from Elrha’s grant making programmes.
• Design a diagnostic tool to identify both research/innovation and operational capacity gaps.
• Develop a research and innovation capacity toolkit to support grantees throughout the grant lifecycle, from preparing applications to embedding learning.
• Develop an operational capacity toolkit to strengthen grantees’ broader organisational systems (e.g. governance, finance, compliance, project management).
• Provide actionable recommendations and an implementation plan for embedding findings across Elrha’s portfolios.

The work will be delivered in two phases, with a staged-gate review after Phase 1 to determine progression to toolkit development.

We expect the work to be collaborative, inclusive, and ethical, with opportunities for feedback and co-design involving Elrha, UKHIH, and a dedicated working group.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to organisations worldwide, including private sector, non-profit, and academic institutions.

Applicants must be legally registered with a relevant institution.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are not sought for this commission.

Proposals must demonstrate expertise in organisational learning and capacity strengthening, diagnostic tool and toolkit development, familiarity with humanitarian systems, and experience engaging diverse stakeholders.

Timeline

• Start date: September 2025
• End date: January 2026
• Duration: approx. 4–5 months

How to apply

The deadline for submissions is 23:59 (UK time) on 2 September 2025.

Proposals must include:

• Technical proposal (max. 6 pages)
• Cost structure proposal (Excel format)
• Signed certificates and assurances (templates provided)
• Organisational information questionnaire
• Any supporting documents (e.g. case studies or prior work)

Please send your proposal by email to:

information@ukhih.org and bidsandproposals@elrha.org

Subject line: Call for Proposals – Strengthening Grantee Capacities – [Organisation name]

Questions

Clarification questions can be submitted up to 3 working days before the deadline to information@ukhih.org and bidsandproposals@elrha.org

Subject line: QUERY – Call for Proposals – Strengthening Grantee Capacities – [Organisation name]

Key resources