Description

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)’s Consumer Protection Research Initiative (CPRI) is now accepting proposals for its 2025 research grant cycle. The initiative funds rigorous research focused on improving consumer protection in digital finance. Researchers can apply for:

• Large grants for full-scale impact evaluations.

• Smaller grants for pilots, study add-ons, lab experiments, or low-cost evaluations (e.g., A/B tests or administrative data analysis).

The initiative is especially interested in studies that address consumer risks and foster trust in digital payments and credit products, with a focus on practical solutions and policy relevance.

Core Research Areas

1. Fraud Prevention and Detection
   Evaluation of tools, strategies, or platforms that protect users from financial fraud.

2. High Prices, Price Transparency, and Market Competition
   Investigating interventions that improve pricing transparency and promote competition.

3. Over-Indebtedness and Responsible Digital Credit
   Solutions to prevent over-borrowing and encourage responsible lending practices.

4. Complaints Redress Mechanisms
   Research into the effectiveness of complaints systems and consumer grievance redressal.

Priority Research Themes for 2025

• Gender Disparities in Consumer Protection
  Including innovations that specifically reduce risks and build trust for women in digital finance.

• Productive Credit for Small Businesses and Farmers
  Especially work that minimizes risk exposure for entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers.

• Role of Agents in Consumer Protection
  Exploring how agents can improve transparency, lower overcharging, and prevent fraud in digital financial services.

Funding Details

• Large grants: Support for full-scale randomized evaluations.

• Small grants: Funding for pilots, add-ons, low-cost evaluations, or administrative data-based studies.

Application Timeline

• April 16, 2025 – Q&A Webinar at 9:00 AM EDT (Register here)

• May 4, 2025 – Optional Expressions of Interest due

• June 15, 2025 – Full Proposals due

For questions, email: consumerprotection@poverty-action.org
To apply, go to their official website: https://poverty-action.org/consumer-protection-call-for-proposals