Call for Tender: Vision Paper on the Future of Development Studies

Issued by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)

Overview

EADI invites qualified consultants or research teams to submit proposals to prepare a Vision Paper on the Future of Development Studies.

Over the past two decades, Development Studies (DS) has evolved significantly amidst shifting geopolitical, economic, and epistemic landscapes. Earlier vision papers (2005, 2015) consolidated DS as an interdisciplinary field bridging the Global North (GN) and Global South (GS): Definition of Development Studies

However, growing global fragmentation, climate and digital transitions, donor retrenchment, and calls for decolonisation now require a renewed reflection on the identity, scope, and direction of DS.

The Vision Paper will respond to these transformations and provide an “operative framework” for renewing the field and strengthening the role of EADI and its partners globally.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a Vision Paper that:

1. Reassesses the purpose, scope, and identity of Development Studies in a turbulent global context.
2. Facilitates dialogue between Global North and Global South perspectives, identifying convergences and divergences.
3. Addresses the intellectual and institutional fragmentation of the field.
4. Examines the implications of shifting donor landscapes, including the retrenchment of GN aid budgets and the rise of Southern-led cooperation.
5. Provides actionable recommendations for institutional strengthening, accreditation, pedagogy, and cross-regional collaboration for EADI and its partners.

Expected Outputs

• Main Vision Paper on the Future of Development Studies
• Technical Annex on pedagogy, accreditation, and institutional collaboration
• Policy recommendations for EADI and partners across GN and GS
• Digital dissemination package, possibly including an interactive online version and data visualisations

Duration and Timeline

The assignment will run for approximately 13 months (Nov 2025 – Nov/Dec 2026) and include:

The selected consultant/team is expected to apply a mixed-methods and participatory approach, including:

• Comprehensive literature review and bibliometric analysis of DS scholarship.
• Semi-structured interviews with leading DS scholars and practitioners across GN and GS.
• Regional focus groups and roundtables (ideally in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America).
• Online surveys among EADI members and GS partners.
• Interactive consultation portal for students and practitioners.
• Participatory foresight or scenario-building workshops.

Who Should Apply

We welcome proposals from individual consultants, research teams, or consortia with:

• Strong academic and analytical background in Development Studies or related fields
• Proven experience in global, interdisciplinary research
• Familiarity with GN–GS collaboration, decolonisation, and foresight methods
• Excellent English writing skills (French/Spanish an asset)

Proposal Submission

Proposals should include:

• A short technical proposal (max. 10 pages) outlining approach, methodology, and work plan
• A financial offer in EUR
• CVs of key personnel and relevant experience
• Up to two examples of comparable work

Please submit proposals electronically to itter(at)eadi.org by 31 October 2025, indicating in the subject line: “Tender: Vision Paper on the Future of Development Studies (DS 3.0)”

Contact

For questions or clarifications, please contact:
Susanne von Itter, Executive Director
European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)
Email: itter(at)eadi.org  | Website: www.eadi.org

Publication date of tender: 08.10.2025