About MRAP
Microfinance Researchers Alliance in India
Genesis of MRAP: Practitioner- Researcher Gaps in India
The microfinance research community in India has not developed as rapidly as the sector itself,losing, as a result, an important opportunity for synergies between practice and research. Furthermore, not only is research disconnected from the practice, there is also a gap among Indian researchers themselves. The low level of communications among researchers has resulted in lower research quality, and the research community has failed to synthesize individual knowledge into a common knowledge base for the sector.
In order to fill the gap that exists both between practice and research and among researchers, the Centre for Microfinance (CMF) has launched a research capacity development programme called the Microfinance Researchers Alliance Program (MRAP) funded by Ford Foundation. This program, with its three-year timeframe and intensive support, is the first of its kind in the microfinance community in India. It envisions developing research capacity among young Indian researchers working on various microfinance issues and enabling them to engage more actively in the mainstream microfinance arena through active participation in research-practice dialogues.
MRAP Objectives
To build a strong network of Indian researchers working on microfinance and translate individual knowledge into a sector-wide knowledge base.
To foster “knowledge partnerships” between researchers and microfinance institutions and promote research-practice dialogues.
To build research capacity among Indian researchers who are conducting or are interested in conducting research in microfinance.
Programme activities and benefits
Centre for Micro Finance provides workshops, research seminars, and exposure visits that provide stimulus for researchers to develop and implement relevant, focused and quality research. Each participant is expected to conduct his or her research in partnership with an MFI, thus exposing him/her to on-the-ground realities in the microfinance sector. Additionally, MRAP provides opportunities for researchers to share their research and engage in dialogue on current issues through seminars and a common online platform. MRAP provides opportunities, on a merit basis, to apply for funding to carry out research. The programme links the researchers with several funding institutions, international researchers and engagement with existing research.
We are inviting Indian researchers to be a member of MRAP Network. To be the member of MRAP network, please fill the MRAP Membership Application and send it to deepti.kc@ifmr.ac.in
Click here to learn about the benefits of membership.