Hinrich Foundation Call for Research Proposals 2026: Funding for Global Trade Research
Overview
The Hinrich Foundation invites research organisations and individual researchers to submit proposals for projects that advance understanding of international trade and contribute to evidence-based policy development. The initiative supports studies examining major global trade challenges, emerging economic trends, and opportunities to strengthen sustainable and mutually beneficial trade. Priority sectors include trade governance, geopolitics of trade, foreign direct investment, global supply chain resilience and security, digital trade, innovation and technology, trade and environmental sustainability, trade workforce and education, industrial competitiveness and economic development, natural resources in trade, and trade logistics and services. The programme welcomes both new research projects and summaries or overviews of existing research, including work previously published elsewhere.
Who can apply
The call is open to research organisations and individual researchers who possess relevant expertise and a suitable research proposal. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge, a credible research approach, and the ability to deliver the proposed outputs within the agreed timeframe.
What you get
Successful applicants may receive either full or partial financial support, subject to the Foundation's assessment and funding arrangements. Funding amounts are negotiable, and payment is typically issued upon the completion of the project.
Requirements
Submissions must include researcher credentials identifying all involved personnel and demonstrating relevant subject knowledge and experience. Proposals require a research synopsis outlining the topic, its relevance to international trade, and two to four key research questions, along with an explanation of whether primary or secondary methods will be used. Applicants must specify proposed research outputs, which generally take the form of white papers of approximately 4,000 words or articles of approximately 1,600 words. Projects should ideally be completed within four months of commissioning, and researchers must provide progress updates at mutually agreed intervals while considering feedback from the research programme team. Additionally, applicants must outline their funding requirements.
Key dates
The application deadline is 31 October 2026. The programme reviews proposals twice annually following submission deadlines of 31 May and 31 October.