Grant opportunity
Call for Research Teams: Building the Economics of Open Transaction Networks
GDN is selecting six LMIC-based research teams to produce empirical evidence on participation, inclusion, welfare and market effects in open transaction networks.
- Funder
- Global Development Network (GDN)
- Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth
- Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth: Aug 21, 2026
- Award
- USD 50,000 for each of six research teams, plus strategic and technical guidance
- Applicant
- Research teams affiliated with universities, think tanks, policy research centres, nonprofit organisations or other research institutions in LMICs, with a record of empirical research in the country where the proposed open transaction network is implemented.
- Discipline
- Economics, Business and Management
- Region
- Low- and Middle-Income Countries / Global South
- Posted
- Jul 30, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The Gates Foundation-supported programme will examine how interoperable transaction networks affect underserved buyers and sellers, earnings, prices, market access and business conditions.
Who can apply
Teams must be institutionally affiliated in an LMIC and demonstrate relevant empirical research capacity. Proposals may study any suitable OTN, with preference for Beckn Protocol implementations in Brazil, India and Kenya.
What it supports
- Participation and inclusion among previously underserved buyers and sellers.
- Welfare, earnings, prices, market access and wider business effects.
- Open transaction networks across commerce, mobility, health, agriculture and energy.
Funding and duration
- Six selected research teams will each receive USD 50,000.
- Teams will receive guidance from GDN's Global Scientific Advisory Committee.
- The programme is supported by the Gates Foundation.
Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth
Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth: Aug 21, 2026
How to apply
Read the full call and FAQs, prepare the research-team proposal and budget, and submit by 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Global Development Network invites LMIC-based research organisations to study the economics of open transaction networks. The selected comparative projects will generate rigorous evidence about whether these interoperable systems broaden participation, improve welfare and alter market structure in ways that benefit low-income people and small businesses.
Eligibility
Teams must be institutionally affiliated in an LMIC and demonstrate relevant empirical research capacity. Proposals may study any suitable OTN, with preference for Beckn Protocol implementations in Brazil, India and Kenya.
Funding and benefits
Six selected research teams will each receive USD 50,000.
Teams will receive guidance from GDN's Global Scientific Advisory Committee.
The programme is supported by the Gates Foundation.
Themes and supported activities
Participation and inclusion among previously underserved buyers and sellers.
Welfare, earnings, prices, market access and wider business effects.
Open transaction networks across commerce, mobility, health, agriculture and energy.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth: Applications close 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth: Aug 21, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Read the full call and FAQs, prepare the research-team proposal and budget, and submit by 21 August 2026 Anywhere on Earth.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.