Matching Service

The goal of the matching service is to initiate and help foster productive, long-lasting partnerships between applicants and appropriate researchers. These partners may work toward a submission of a new application to E4A for funding, but they may also pursue alternative funding or work on other projects together, such as development of plans for baseline data collection; design of a pilot or demonstration project; or development of a full research plan to be implemented.

Applicants who wish to be matched with a research partner may be referred after submitting a letter of intent (LOI).

The matching service is provided in partnership with Accelerating Collaborations for Evaluation (ACE)​ at Johns Hopkins University.

There is no cost to applicants associated with being matched with a researcher through the matching service. Resources may be provided to offset costs associated with facilitating communications and establishing working partnerships between applicants and researchers.

When an applicant is referred to the matching service, a Partnership Acceleration Liaison (PAL) will work with the applicant to understand the needs of project and team, and to identify and propose suitable research partners. Once the applicant has approved a research partner, the PAL will facilitate initial correspondence and help establish the match. After being matched, referred applicants meet (virtually or in person) with their research partner(s) on a mutually agreeable schedule to discuss the project. Together, partners may decide to submit a new application for E4A funding (or funding from another source) or may decide that further work is necessary before applying for funding. There is no guarantee of E4A funding for applicants who participate in the matching service.

The time commitment varies depending on the preferences and requirements of each project. Typically, participants should allow for 1-2 months to establish a suitable match. After that, the time commitment depends entirely on the goals and objectives of the matched partners, the frequency of their meeting, what changes are required in the research design, etc. There is no requirement to commit to a set duration of time, but participants are expected to work together in good faith until they reach a mutually agreeable stopping point.

If you are interested in being considered as a potential research partner for a referred applicant, please fill out this form. Your information will be added to a database of potential researchers partners managed by Accelerating Collaborations for Evaluation (ACE), providers of the matching service. A link to an on-line CV or biography are required for the submission. Due to the rolling nature of the E4A program and the specific needs of applicants, not all researchers will be contacted for matching.