Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant 2025 call for proposals

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) is inviting proposals for the Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant 2025. The grant is an annual, merit-based grant awarded to an outstanding undergraduate studying in a Sri Lankan university. It aims to promote policy entrepreneurs among undergraduates by encouraging policy-relevant, rigorous and innovative socio-economic research, IPS said this week.    

The grant was established in 2018 to honour Dr. Saman Kelegama’s legacy of independent research and public policy engagement in socio-economic development in Sri Lanka and the wider South Asian region. Dr. Kelegama was the Executive Director of the IPS from 1995 to 2017.

The grant is open to undergraduate students currently in their 4th year or about to enter their 4th year in 2025, studying economics or a related subject in a University Grants Commission-approved university or higher education institution in Sri Lanka. Proposals must be written according to the guidelines provided and emailed to tharakam@ips.lk on or before the submission deadline of March 31, 2025.

HOW WILL THE WINNER BE CHOSEN? The quality of the proposals will be judged for its policy relevance, feasibility, originality and creativity. Three finalists will be chosen and invited to present their proposals at the IPS, where the award recipient will be selected. 

OUTCOMES OF THE GRANTS - The recipient will be expected to produce a Policy Discussion Brief within six months of receiving the grant. The research report can be written individually or jointly with an IPS senior researcher. 

BENEFITS OF THE GRANT - The beneficiary will be awarded a one-time research grant of Rs.200,000 to carry out the proposed research and a three-month internship at the IPS. The recipient will be able to seek guidance from senior researchers and benefit from IPS resources to complete the proposed study during the internship.