Research at SANEI
1. In the first year of its inception, SANEI commissioned ten studies in the broad areas of finance and trade, which were carried out by ten research institutes in the region. 8 of these studies have been published in a volume Trade, Finance and Investment in South Asia, edited by Prof T N Srinivasan (Social Science Press, New Delhi, November 2001).
2. In the second year, collaboration became a hallmark of research carried out under the auspices of SANEI. This implied that, instead of stand-alone work, SANEI funded proposals that were carried out by at least two research institutions belonging to two different countries in the South Asian region. Seven proposals were approved for collaborative work involving sixteen institutes in the region. Travel associated with the collaborative research projects and provision for bringing collaborators together by facilitating stay in each other’s countries was supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation. Unlike the first round, there were no restrictions on areas of research and the field was left open to issues of economic relevance to South Asia. The studies under the second phase have been completed. These studies will be compiled together in a volume to be edited by Dr. Mohsin Khan, RAP Member, SANEI.
3. SANEI entered its third year with renewed focus on collaborative research. Three research proposals have been selected under this round, which are being carried out by seven different research institutes in the region.
4. In the fourth round, nine research proposals have been accepted for funding, out of which five are collaborative studies. Collaboration although preferred, was not made mandatory under this Round. The new proposals were presented at the Fourth Annual Conference at Dhaka.
5. Under the fifth round of funding, SANEI approved 12 projects. The works in progress of these projects were presented at the Fifth Annual SANEI Conference held in Colombo (August 15-17, 2003). The research projects were on multifaceted issues of economic development with reference to South Asia.
6. In a significant departure from earlier trends, in the sixth round, SANEI opened up the competition to all branches of social sciences. Proposals were invited on General issues in Development and Role of Institutions in Development with reference to South Asia.15 projects have been approved for funding in this round. Out of these, 6 projects are from economics, 8 projects are multidisciplinary in nature and 1 is a project on education.
7. In the seventh round, following the tradition set in sixth round, SANEI opened up the competition to all branches of social sciences inviting proposals on the two imperative themes of Good Governance and Infrastructure with reference to South Asia. 9 proposals were approved for funding. Out of which 6 are from economics, 2 are multidisciplinary in nature and 1 is from geography.
8. Eighth round had a thematic focus on Financial Sector Reforms and Higher Education. Twelve proposals were approved for funding in this round.
9. The thematic focus of Ninth round was South Asian Agriculture-Post Doha. 15 projects have been approved for funding. Out of which 10 are from economics and 5 are multidisciplinary in nature.
10. On the SANEI 10th RRC a total of 19 studies were funded out of the 45 proposals received. The theme is Ensuring Health for all and Perspective on Inter/Intra Regional Migration.
11. The theme of the SANEI 11th Round RRC was Growth, Employment and Poverty Nexus in the Current Financial Crisis. A total of 10 studies were funded on this round.
12. 10 studies have been funded on the SANEI 12th Round RRC. The thematic focus of this round was Trends and Fluctuation in Global Commodity Prices and their Implications for South Asian Countries. A total of 46 proposals were received from the various research institutes in South Asia Region.
13. Under the 13th RRC 7 research studies have been approved for SANEI funding. The theme of this round is “Sustainable Urbanization in South Asia: Issues and Challenges”. A total of 34 research proposals were received under this round.