The Hinrich Foundation has opened its 2026 Call for Research Proposals, inviting researchers and research organizations to submit projects on global trade issues. The next deadline is October 31, 2026, and the foundation says proposals should advance understanding of trade challenges and help inform policy development.
Key facts
- The call is open to individual researchers, groups of researchers and research organizations.
- The next submission deadline is October 31, 2026.
- Priority areas include trade governance, geopolitics of trade, foreign direct investment and supply chain resilience.
- The foundation generally publishes research as white papers of about 4,000 words or articles of about 1,600 words.
- Funding for successful projects is negotiable and may be full or partial support.
What does this mean for researchers and research organizations?
Researchers with work in international trade now have a funded application route tied to the Hinrich Foundation’s priority themes. The call is aimed at projects that fit areas such as digital trade, environmental sustainability, workforce and education, industrial competitiveness, natural resources, and trade logistics and services.
Applicants need to submit a clear proposal that identifies the researcher or team, includes a synopsis, sets out two to four research questions, explains whether the project uses primary or secondary research, and states the expected outputs, timetable and requested funding. The foundation reviews proposals twice each year, and it may ask for one or two interim articles during a project.
- Deadline: October 31, 2026
- Typical outputs: White paper or article
- Timetable: Projects are encouraged to finish within four months of commission
- Next step: Review the application guidelines and submit through the designated form
What topics are eligible?
The foundation’s priority list covers 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, and trade logistics and services.
How does the application process work?
Applicants are asked to review the foundation’s application guidelines and then submit a proposal through the designated submission form. The foundation says proposals can cover a new research project or an overview or summary of existing work, including work already published elsewhere.
Successful proposals may receive full or partial financial support. Funding is negotiable and is typically paid when the project is completed.
What should a strong proposal include?
A strong proposal should identify the researcher or research team, provide relevant credentials, explain the topic, set out the research questions, describe the research method, identify outputs, give a realistic timetable, state the funding request and show relevance to one or more priority areas.
When is the next deadline?
The next submission deadline is October 31, 2026. The foundation says it reviews proposals twice a year, with annual deadlines on May 31 and October 31.
