Hinrich Foundation Research Grant 2026: Call for Research Proposals on Global Trade Issues

The Hinrich Foundation has opened its Call for Research Proposals 2026, inviting researchers and research organizations to submit proposals for research projects that advance understanding of global trade issues and contribute to policy development.

Through its international trade research program, the Foundation supports research across a broad range of trade-related sectors. Proposals are particularly encouraged in areas including trade governance, the geopolitics of trade, foreign direct investment, global supply chain resilience and security, digital trade and technology, environmental sustainability, workforce and education, industrial competitiveness, natural resources, and trade logistics and services.

The upcoming submission deadline is October 31, 2026.

About the Hinrich Foundation Research Programme

The Hinrich Foundation is an independent Asia-based philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade.

Its international trade research program seeks to promote research that can strengthen understanding of global trade challenges and support policy development.

Researchers and research organizations are invited to propose projects addressing significant trade-related questions. The Foundation reviews proposals twice each year, following the closing of each submission cycle.

The annual submission deadlines are:

• May 31
• October 31

The next opportunity to submit a proposal is October 31, 2026.

Priority Research Areas

The Foundation supports research across several areas of international trade. Its stated priority areas, in order, are:

1. Trade Governance

Research examining trade governance and the systems, institutions and policies that shape international trade.

2. The Geopolitics of Trade

Research exploring the relationship between geopolitics and international trade and the ways political developments influence global trade.

3. Foreign Direct Investment

Research focused on foreign direct investment and its relationship with international trade and economic activity.

4. Global Supply Chain Resilience and Security

Projects examining the resilience and security of global supply chains and issues affecting their reliability and stability.

5. Digital Trade, Innovation and Technology

Research examining digital trade, innovation and technology and their growing influence on international commerce.

6. Trade and Environmental Sustainability

Research investigating the relationship between international trade and environmental sustainability.

7. Trade Workforce and Education

Projects examining workforce and education issues connected to international trade and economic development.

8. Industrial Competitiveness and Economic Development

Research exploring industrial competitiveness and the contribution of trade to economic development.

9. Natural Resources in Trade

Research examining the role of natural resources within international trade.

10. Trade Logistics and Services

Research addressing trade logistics and services that support international commerce.

Who Can Submit a Proposal?

The call invites:

• Individual researchers
• Groups of researchers
• Research organizations

The provided call does not state a specific nationality, citizenship or country requirement for applicants. Researchers and organizations should therefore focus on whether their proposed research fits within the Foundation’s international trade research priorities and meets the submission requirements.

What Should the Research Proposal Include?

The Hinrich Foundation asks researchers to include specific information in their proposals.

1. Name and Credentials of the Researcher or Researchers

Applicants should provide the names and relevant credentials of the researcher or researchers responsible for the proposed project.

This section should help demonstrate the researcher’s expertise and ability to undertake the proposed work.

2. Synopsis of the Proposed Research

The proposal should include a clear synopsis of the research being proposed.

The Foundation encourages researchers to:

• Address major trade-related themes.
• Identify the central issue the research will investigate.
• Present two to four key questions that the research seeks to answer.
• Explain the proposed research approach.
• Specify whether the research will use primary or secondary research.

Researchers should make the proposed research questions clear and demonstrate how the project will contribute to understanding an important trade issue.

Research Format and Publication

The Hinrich Foundation generally publishes research in two formats:

• White papers: Approximately 4,000 words
• Articles: Approximately 1,600 words

All research products will be subject to the Foundation’s editorial review.

Researchers may propose either a new research project or an overview or summary of existing work.

New Research Project

A researcher may propose a new research project that includes any combination of article and/or white paper deliverables.

Existing Research

Researchers may also propose an overview or summary of existing work, including research that has already been published elsewhere.

It is important to note that the final decision to publish research rests entirely with the Foundation.

Deliverable Timetable

The Foundation encourages research projects to be completed within four months from the point of commission.

During the project, the researcher should provide updates to the Foundation at mutually agreed regular intervals.

Researchers are also encouraged to consider feedback from the Foundation’s research program team regarding the progress and findings of the project.

In some cases, researchers may be asked to produce one or two interim articles of approximately 1,600 words before completing the full research project. These interim articles may summarize findings from the research that is still underway.

Funding Request

Funding for successful research projects is negotiable.

The Foundation may provide full or partial financial support for successful proposals.

Funding is typically paid at the point of completion of the project.

Researchers should therefore clearly communicate their funding requirements when submitting their proposal.

How to Prepare a Strong Proposal

Researchers interested in submitting should ensure that their proposal clearly explains the proposed research and its relevance to global trade.

A strong submission should:

1. Clearly identify the researcher or research team.
2. Provide relevant credentials and expertise.
3. Explain the proposed research topic.
4. Identify two to four key research questions.
5. Explain whether the research will use primary or secondary research.
6. Identify the expected research outputs.
7. Provide a realistic project timetable.
8. Clearly state the requested funding.
9. Demonstrate relevance to one or more of the Foundation’s priority research areas.

How to Apply

Researchers and research organizations interested in the call should first review the Hinrich Foundation application guidelines and then submit their research proposal through the designated submission form.

The Foundation has provided a dedicated submission process for researchers to submit their proposals.

Upcoming submission deadline: October 31, 2026

Applicants should ensure that their proposals are completed and submitted before the deadline.

Important Considerations

The Foundation’s call states that successful proposals may receive full or partial financial support. However, funding is negotiable and is typically paid upon completion of the project.

Researchers should also be aware that receiving support does not automatically mean that a research product will be published. All research products are subject to editorial review, and the Foundation retains the final decision regarding publication.

Conclusion

The Hinrich Foundation Call for Research Proposals 2026 offers researchers and research organizations an opportunity to develop research addressing important global trade issues and contributing to policy development.

The programme covers a wide range of subjects, including trade governance, trade geopolitics, foreign direct investment, supply chain resilience, digital trade, environmental sustainability, workforce and education, economic development, natural resources, and logistics.

Researchers with relevant expertise are encouraged to develop clear research questions, explain their methodology, outline their proposed deliverables and identify their funding requirements.

The next submission deadline is October 31, 2026.

Interested researchers should review the application guidelines and submit their proposals through the official submission form before the deadline.

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