Request for Proposal: Causal study on digital platform work

Background

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. In 2023, we launched a five-year Digital Economy Research & Impact Initiative (DERII) focused on digital gig workers, funded by the Gates Foundation.

IDinsight released a literature review that outlines the current state of evidence in LMICs on workers working on digital labor platforms in low-capital location-based sectors, and conducted quantitative and qualitative descriptive studies in India, Indonesia, and Kenya.

Limited evidence exists in understanding 1) how platform work can be made more welfare-improving for gig workers through algorithmic changes and/or platform add-ons, and 2) the impact of platform work on labour outcomes, economic well-being, and financial inclusion.

To close the existing knowledge gaps, we plan to offer 3-4 grants in the range of $100,000 to $500,000 to fund research projects in line with the criteria outlined below.

Each grant should be used to fund a study producing causal evidence (though, exceptions for compelling descriptive evidence generation can be made on a case-by-case basis).

Scope of the studies

The studies must be focused on:

1. Digital labor platforms according to ILO’s classification of gig work (e.g., 2-3 wheel drivers, domestic workers) where labor platforms automatically and algorithmically mediate worker assignment to customer.
2. Location-based services (e.g., transport services, domestic work, deliveries) or any online work that can arguably be conducted by an individual with smartphone ownership.
3. Low-capital services (excluding platforms which require investment into an expensive asset such as a car).

Studies on car driving will likely not qualify but exceptions can be made if it is demonstrated that these platforms are available for income-constrained populations (e.g., Uber offers favorable terms on car rentals which makes car driving accessible to individuals who do not own cars). Job matching platforms are out of scope for this study.

Grants will be given to different research teams working in different contexts; however, to create coherence of the research findings, researchers who are given grants will be asked to collaborate with each other and synchronize measurements, where possible.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is open to researchers affiliated with universities or research institutions with demonstrated interest and capacity to conduct field-based research on gig work, labor markets, or digital economies in LMICs.

How To Apply?

Submit your Expression of Interest to terry.muthahhari@idinsight.org by May 2nd, 2025. We look forward to supporting your work to make the digital economy sector more inclusive and equitable for workers around the world.