Call for Proposals: Non-Monetary Dimensions of Inequality and Poverty Among the Youth in the ERF Region

The Economic Research Forum (ERF) is pleased to announce a call for proposals on the non-monetary dimensions of inequality and poverty among the youth in the MENA region. This call for proposals falls under the theme of Equity, Inequality and Inclusive Growth. ERF and non-ERF affiliates are invited to submit their proposals according to the terms outlined below. Please submit your proposal by January 15, 2019.   In addition to understanding poverty and inequality in income (expenditures), an inclusive growth approach also requires a focus on the other important dimensions of inequality. There are two strands of the literature focusing on inequality in non-income dimensions. The first addresses measurement of multidimensional poverty and inequality. Since the seminal work of Alkire and Foster discussing the non-cardinal nature of many non-income variables, empirical work on multidimensional poverty and inequality has flourished. Although some research has addressed multidimensional poverty in the MENA region, more research on this issue is needed to increase our knowledge on these aspects of poverty in the region.   Another strand of the literature on non-income dimensions of inequality looks at socioeconomic inequality in a non-income attribute, i.e. the correlation (broadly defined) with income. These papers are mainly in the area of socioeconomic health inequalities building on the contribution of Wagstaff, Paci and van Doorslaer. This approach is based on the assumption of a decomposable multi-attributes rank-dependent social welfare function. Since these social welfare functions are additive in the different attributes, researchers can use the same framework to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in other non-income dimensions, such as education.   In this context, we invite proposals in the two following sub-themes:  

1. Multidimensional Poverty and Inequality in MENA ERF is interested in both measurement and regression approaches. On the measurement side projects may include analyses of the dynamics aspect of multidimensional poverty, decomposition by demographic groups, geographical location and most importantly by source (dimensions) would be valuable. ERF is particularly interested in projects incorporating robustness analysis and statistical inference. On the determinants side, projects may adopt regression models. These projects will look at the determinants in the form of poverty profiles of elasticity of poverty to economic growth. Variables of interest can also include macro variables such as average income, public expenditures, level of decentralization, access to information technology, etc. Other research approaches will also be evaluated upon merit.
2. Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health and Education in MENA For this subtheme, ERF is also interested in both measurement and regression approaches. On the measurement side, projects may build upon the vast methodological literature on socioeconomic health inequality that has emerged in the last 30 years. This methodology can be adapted to socioeconomic inequalities in education. ERF is particularly interested in projects incorporating robustness analysis and statistical inference. On the determinants side, ERF is interested in projects using a recentered influence function regression approaches or distribution regressions approaches. Note that recentered influence function approaches have recently been adapted to the bivariate context of socioeconomic health inequality offering a state of the art methodology to address such questions. Other research approaches will also be evaluated upon merit.

Other sub-themes related to the topic of this call will also be considered. Proposals must have youth or gender dimensions as well as strong policy relevance.    Researchers are encouraged to use the different microeconomic datasets that are publicly available on the ERF data portal. (http://www.erfdataportal.com/index.php/catalog)   ELIGIBILITY    The following eligibility criteria will be applied:

• Researchers should have expertise in the topic being researched.
• At least one of the main researchers should be from the ERF region, whether residing inside or outside the region.
• Researchers from disciplines other than economics may apply.

SELECTION CRITERIA   A refereeing committee will evaluate all proposals by the following criteria:

• The value added from the project in terms of contributing to existing knowledge.
• The methodological soundness, be it econometric or in-depth case studies.
• The policy relevance of the findings.

IMPORTANT DATES 

• Submission of proposals deadline: January 15, 2019
• Announcement of winning proposals: January 31, 2019
• Submission of draft papers: March 31, 2019
• Workshop for discussing draft papers: Spring 2019 (TBD)
• Submission of final papers: June 30, 2019

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS   Authors should submit a proposal of a maximum length of ten double-spaced pages (excluding appendices, tables, figures, and references). It should be structured to contain three sections in the following format. ERF reserves the right to exclude proposals that are not consistent with these guidelines.   IMPORATANT NOTE: the proposal should NOT include the authors’ names, as it will undergo a blind review process. 1. Statement of the research problem: A clear and concise description of the nature and importance of the proposed research; its scope and boundaries; its general context; and objectives with explicit reference to feasibility and policy relevance.   2. Value Added: A selective and analytical review of the relevant literature, intending to both demonstrating knowledge of past theoretical and empirical work, as well as identifying the knowledge gap that the proposed research is intended to address.   3. Conceptual Framework and Research Methodology: A clear statement of the conceptual framework should be provided elaborating on the set of specific, identifiable and concrete questions for which the proposed research is intended to provide answers. This is to be followed by an elaboration of the research methods to be employed and why they are best suited to answer the research questions. The section should also indicate the nature of the information required and the data collection techniques, whether primary or secondary or a combination of the two. Finally, it should explain how the information will be analyzed and interpreted using quantitative and/or qualitative methods.   4. Budget: The budget should be submitted in US dollars, itemized and inclusive of all research and dissemination expenses. Research costs should be defined by deliverables. Other budget items may include travel, if necessary, research assistance, data collection, office supplies and photocopying. The purchase of equipment is not allowed under ERF grant rules.   5. References: A list should be attached to the proposal specifying the suggested references to be used in writing the proposed paper.   To submit your proposal, please fill in the form online:    YOUR SUBMISSION SHOULD INCLUDE:

• Author(s)’ CV(s)
• Two published papers, and
• Proposal as per the above mentioned guidelines.

For further inquiries, please contact Ms. Ramage Nada, Program Officer, E-mail: rnada@erf.org.eg.