In fall 2025, IPA's Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development Program launched a call for research proposals at the intersection of soft skills and economic empowerment in low and middle-income countries. Our Request for Proposals document provided full guidance, including eligibility criteria, timeline, instructions to submit an Expression of Interest, frequently asked questions, and more. This call for proposals is now closed.

During this call for proposals, we sought proposals that 1. address key evidence gaps, 2. generate actionable insights for implementers and policymakers, and 3. align with a shared framework for measuring soft skills and economic outcomes to generate comparable evidence. We welcomed a range of study designs that contribute to building practical, policy-relevant evidence on soft skills and economic outcomes. For details on research priorities, definitions of soft skills, outcomes of interest, geographic scope, and example research questions, please refer to our research agenda.

Interested individuals were required to submit an Expression of Interest form by November 14, 2025. Shortlisted candidates were invited to submit a full proposal by late January 2026, which will be reviewed by a committee of economists, psychologists, implementers, and experienced IPA staff. Below you can find the timeline for the Call:

• November 14, 2025: Expression of Interest Forms Due (11:59 pm EST)
• December 15, 2025: Accepted teams invited to submit full proposals
• January 30, 2026: Full Proposals Due
• April 1, 2026: Expected Date of Notification

We encourage you to explore our Soft Skills webpage to learn more about IPA’s broader work and compiled resources, including measurement resources, research agenda, implementation insights, a living evidence review, and studies at the intersection of soft skills and economic outcomes.

If you have any questions, please contact epsd@poverty-action.org.