Awards
  • The Best Two entries will be given a cash incentive, certificates and opportunities to work as Policy Research Assistants at CPPR (2 months).
  • The top 10 policy briefs will be given a Certificate of Appreciation and will be given the opportunity to be part of the Atlas- CPPR Policy Workshop.
  • First prize carries an amount of Rs. 30,000 and second prize carries an amount of Rs. 20,000
  • Top Policy Briefs will also be sent to the concerned government departments and media houses.)
Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi in association with the ATLAS Network, USA invites entries for the “CPPR – ATLAS South Asia Public Policy Challenge” from young researchers, students, practitioners and policymakers in the age group of 18-35 years. To confirm participation, interested candidates are required to submit abstracts (details below) of a proposed policy reform under the theme “Navigating Policy Reforms for Minimum Government, Maximum Governance in the Disruptive Era.”
As the world grapples with a pandemic, governments around the world need to “do more with less” in the face of deep austerity measures. From education & public health to urban transport, what is needed are innovations that break traditional trade-offs, particularly that between cost and performance. Disruptive innovations offer a gateway to accomplish this goal and, in the process, transform public services.
The Challenge is instituted to commemorate CPPR’s 15th anniversary year in public policy research. The public policy challenge will involve bright young minds in policy writing as well as policy planning, analysis and impact evaluation. It is expected to be a platform to inspire innovative thinking, best practices, and smart solutions to tackle pressing public policy challenges.

Who can apply?
Anyone in the age group of (18-35) and is a citizen of a South Asian Nation (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) eligible to apply.

Theme
The theme of the policy challenge has been given as “Navigating Policy Reforms for Minimum Government, Maximum Governance in the Disruptive Era." The competition will incorporate the possibility of disruptive innovations improving standards of public service delivery and maximising governance with minimal state involvement in the National or regional context. The project aims to evolve public policy solutions for sectors including but not limited to health, education, livelihood, trade and commerce, cities & infrastructure, disaster resilience.

Last date of submission of abstract: 31st December, 2020
Key Stages
Stage 1:
  • Participant registration includes submission of a 500-word abstract describing the key policy solution being proposed. 20 best entries will be selected for the next stage.
  • The registration process will be through a google form and the participants will have to attach a PDF version of the abstract. (Applicant will need a Gmail Account.)
Stage 2:
  • Online Submission of the 1500 – word policy brief based on the abstract selected. The Top 10 most innovative, practical and convincing policies will be selected for the next round by a team of eminent panelists.
  • The policy briefs will be submitted to [email protected]
Stage 3:
  • In the Atlas- CPPR Policy Workshop, the authors of the top 10 policy briefs are trained to further refine the policy brief with inputs from experts and seasoned policy makers
  • The top 3 shortlisted refined policy briefs (2000 Words) will be sent to the Government for assisting them in the policy making process.

Rules for competition:

  • Evaluation Criteria: 
    • Relevance of the Policy Solution ( 20%)
    • Coherence and Organization in Structure (20%)
    • Innovation and practicality of suggestion (40%)
    • Clarity in Language, Expression and Style  and grammar/spelling (20%) 
  • They should possess good writing skills in English. The abstract and policy briefs shall have clarity, brevity and poise 
  • The abstract and policy brief must have a clear headline appropriate to the policy outlined. 
  • The brief should be able to identify the implementing agencies, the modus operandi and be suggestive in nature.
  • The policy briefs shall be based only on the mentioned theme related. For eg: A policy which advocates for decentralisation with steps to be initiated for direct election of Mayor in a Municipal Corporation.
  • Policy Briefs can apply for national or regional context themes. For eg: A policy advocating for increasing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in Mumbai Metropolitan Area. 

Timeline:

Campaigning and call for abstracts :September -December,  2020
Last date of submission of abstract:31st December, 2020
Announcing the shortlist of top 20 abstracts:January, 2021
Last date for submission of Policy Brief:January, 2021
Evaluation and shortlist of top 10 briefs:January, 2021
Public Policy Challenge Workshop:A week long training program January/February, 2021
Submission of final refined Policy Briefs:February, 2021
Declaration of winners:March, 2021
Submission to govt and publications:March 31, 2021