Vision and Mission

To support the discovery and uptake of university-sourced, evidence-based solutions to development challenges

LASER PULSE Theory of Change

Strengthening US-LMIC research networks, through participatory problem identification and improved capacity for conducting research, to catalyze new research that can be readily translated into useful policies, products, and practices that better address international development goals.

Our Theory of Change statement describes the logical progression of steps – in terms of inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes – required to achieve the aspirational vision of the consortium and USAID for positive change in the sphere of collaborative international academic research for development.

Main Activities of LASER PULSE

• Form and curate a technically and geographically diverse network of individual university researchers, centers, and institutions.
• Identify key questions in international development research.
• Convene up to 8 regional Research for Development (R4D) conferences over 4 years
• Fund research awards to Network members, especially to increase the human and institutional capacity of LMIC (low and middle income countries) HEI's (higher education institution).
• Support the translation and dissemination of research findings.
• Build the capacity of LASER researchers to contribute to policy or development of practitioner-friendly outputs.
• LMIC HEI Capacity Building: We seek to increase the capacity of the HEI Network individual institutions.