Annual Research Fund (ARF)

About the Fund

The CSPS Research Agenda is designed to help operationalise national frameworks through targeted, evidence-based policy research. The ARF is one of the ways that CSPS funds this work.

6 to 8strategic and policy research projects conducted by CSPS every fiscal year

1 to 2 yearsproject duration, including submission of final report

Purpose

CSPS conducts its annual research projects from proposals submitted by Government Ministries and related agencies. The ARF supports projects that address a strategic policy problem and lead to actionable reforms.

Eligibility

Who can apply, what we look for and what the fund covers.

Who can apply

All Government Ministries and Departments

What we look for

The research addresses a strategic policy problem and leads to actionable reforms and outcomes
The project can be implemented within 1 to 2 years, including the final report

What the fund covers

Outside expenses only (e.g. fieldwork costs)

What affects the final number of projects

Availability of ARF budget
Project cost
CSPS existing research commitment and capacity

Criteria for Selection

The projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria and weights.

30%

Significance

Will the project address SDG goals?
What outcomes of Wawasan 2035 will the project address?
Will a sufficient number of the population benefit from the research?

30%

Efficiency

Is the research problem clearly understood and recognised by the ministry or ministries in relation to its impact?
Is there a clear plan for research implementation and monitoring (e.g. policy questions, research objectives, methodology and intended outcomes & deliverables)?
Will the project improve the delivery of service mandate in terms of coverage and time?

40%

Fiscal sustainability

Is a whole-of-government/stakeholder approach adopted in the project concept?
Will the project outcomes lead to effective use of fiscal resources, such as reduced operational and administrative costs in the ministry?
Can the ministry or ministries utilise the policy recommendations in implementing reforms and addressing bottlenecks of their mandates?

Research Focus & Scope

Projects that meet the following will be prioritised:

aContribute to the 3 goals and 12 national outcomes of Wawasan 2035.
bRespond to any of the 17 SDGs, particularly those relevant to national development.
cAre possible to complete within 1–2 years, including the production of a final report and associated deliverables.
dAddress cross-sectoral or systemic issues requiring policy analysis, evidence-based recommendations, and strategic foresight.

CSPS Research Themes (2025 – 2030)

To ensure alignment with national development priorities, CSPS will prioritise research projects that fall under the following thematic areas for the period 2025–2030.

Theme 1Economic Diversification & Productivity Transformation

Theme 2Fiscal Sustainability, Public Finance Reform & Government Efficiency

Theme 3Digital Transformation, Data Governance & Technological Innovation

Theme 4Green Growth, Energy Transition & Climate Resilience

Theme 5Human Capital, Education Reform & Skills for the Future

Theme 6Social Wellbeing, Emerging Social Problems & Inclusive Development

Theme 7Health Systems, Ageing, Long-Term Care & Population Dynamics

Cross-cutting enablersEvidence-based policymaking, advanced analytics, foresight and futures thinking, and whole-of-government alignment.

Application Timeline

Submissions close at the end of January every year. New projects are awarded each new Financial Year. Dates below are for the 2027 cycle.

Application
Ministry submissions
End of Jan 2027

Ministries complete Section A and B of the ARF Research Proposal Form, outlining the policy issue, rationale and expected outcome, and submit it to CSPS.
Application
Co-development & pre-screening
Mid-Feb 2027

CSPS reviews the Section A forms and works closely with Ministries to develop up to 12 full proposals on their behalf, completing the justification, methodology, workplan and budget.
Evaluation
Technical review by Research Steering Committee (RSC)
Mid-Mar 2027

The RSC reviews the 12 full proposals against the ARF criteria and recommends around 8 projects for consideration.
Evaluation
CSPS BOD approval
End of Mar 2027

The CSPS Board of Directors endorses the final list of projects, depending on budget envelope and other factors.

The number of projects approved depends on the availability of ARF budget, project cost, and CSPS existing research commitment and capacity.

How to Apply

Download the form, complete Sections A and B, and email it to us before the end-of-January deadline.

1. Download the proposal form

The ARF Research Proposal Form (Word document).

Download Proposal Form (.docx)

2. Submit proposals & enquiries

Send completed forms and any questions about the ARF to:

proposals@csps.org.bn