The Hinrich Foundation is inviting researchers and research organisations to submit proposals for projects that advance understanding of international trade and contribute to evidence-based policy development. The initiative supports research examining major global trade challenges, emerging economic trends and opportunities to strengthen mutually beneficial and sustainable trade.
The Foundation’s international trade research programme welcomes proposals for new research projects as well as summaries or overviews of existing research, including work previously published elsewhere. Successful applicants may receive full or partial financial support, subject to the Foundation’s assessment and funding arrangements.
Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
About the Hinrich Foundation Research Grant
The Hinrich Foundation is an independent, Asia-based philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade. It recognises international trade as an important driver of shared prosperity, technological progress, environmental sustainability and peaceful international cooperation.
Through its research programme, the Foundation supports work that improves understanding of international trade issues and informs policy discussions. Researchers are encouraged to develop proposals that address significant trade-related questions and generate insights relevant to policymakers, businesses, researchers and other stakeholders.
The programme reviews proposals twice annually, following the submission deadlines of 31 May and 31 October. The next submission deadline is 31 October 2026.
Priority Research Areas
The Foundation prioritises research across several international trade sectors. Applicants should consider the programme’s areas of interest, which are listed in the following order:
- Trade governance
- The 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
- Trade logistics and services
Proposals addressing these themes should clearly demonstrate their relevance to contemporary trade challenges and explain how the findings could contribute to broader understanding or policy development.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to individual researchers and research organisations with relevant expertise and a suitable research proposal. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of their chosen subject, a credible research approach and the ability to deliver the proposed outputs within the agreed timeframe.
The published call does not specify a particular nationality, academic qualification or geographic eligibility restriction. Prospective applicants should therefore consult the official application guidelines to confirm any additional conditions before submitting a proposal.
Research Proposal Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide the following information in their submissions.
1. Researcher Credentials
The proposal should identify all researchers involved and provide their relevant credentials. Applicants should demonstrate appropriate subject knowledge and research experience for the proposed project.
2. Research Synopsis
The synopsis should explain the proposed research topic, its relevance to international trade and the questions it intends to investigate. The Foundation encourages applicants to identify two to four key research questions.
The proposal should also specify whether the research will use primary or secondary research methods and explain how the chosen approach will address the research questions.
3. Proposed Research Outputs
The Foundation generally publishes research through two formats:
- White papers of approximately 4,000 words.
- Articles of approximately 1,600 words.
Applicants may propose a new research project with one or more article or white-paper deliverables. Alternatively, they may submit a proposal to develop an overview or summary of existing research, including research previously published elsewhere.
All research outputs are subject to editorial review, and the Foundation retains discretion over final publication decisions.
4. Project Timetable
Projects are encouraged to be completed within four months of commissioning. Researchers should provide progress updates at mutually agreed intervals and consider feedback from the Foundation’s research programme team.
Depending on the project, researchers may also be asked to submit one or two interim articles of approximately 1,600 words summarising emerging findings.
5. Funding Request
Applicants should outline their funding requirements. Funding arrangements are negotiable, and payment is typically made upon completion of the project. Successful proposals may receive full or partial financial support.
How to Submit an Application
Interested researchers should review the official application guidelines carefully before completing the research proposal submission form.
Applicants should ensure that their proposals contain all requested information, establish a clear connection to the Foundation’s research priorities and present a realistic delivery schedule. The funding request should also reflect the scope and expected outputs of the project.
Application deadline: 31 October 2026.
How to Strengthen a Research Proposal
Applicants can strengthen their submissions by selecting a clearly defined trade-related problem, formulating two to four focused research questions and explaining the policy relevance of the expected findings. A credible methodology, achievable timetable and clearly specified research outputs can further demonstrate feasibility.
Researchers should also explain how their work could contribute original insights to existing debates on global trade, economic development, sustainability or trade governance.
Official Application and Further Information
For complete eligibility details, submission instructions and funding guidelines, applicants should consult the Hinrich Foundation’s official research proposal page.
