WASHINGTON D.C./ OTTAWA, June 12, 2026 - At its board meeting on June 4, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) invited Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as grant agent for the next phase of the GPE Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX). The continued collaboration between GPE and IDRC underscores the importance of sustained investment in evidence-informed policy-making as part of broader efforts to strengthen education systems globally, particularly at a time when international cooperation is essential to address the learning crisis.

GPE KIX strengthens the use of evidence in decision-making by reinforcing national research capacities and connecting evidence directly to policy processes. By supporting applied research, regional learning, and knowledge mobilization through strong multi-stakeholder evidence networks, it helps countries to effectively and efficiently address policy and implementation options through the application of relevant evidence.

“At a time when education systems are navigating complex and evolving challenges, the ability to turn evidence into action is critical,” said Laura Frigenti, CEO of GPE. “Through our partnership with IDRC, GPE KIX is helping ensure that evidence is not only generated but used — supporting governments to make informed decisions and drive meaningful change.”

As GPE’s core implementing partner for GPE KIX, IDRC will continue to play a central role in delivering the program and contribute financial resources to support its implementation — reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring that evidence informs policy and practice in education systems.

"GPE KIX reflects a shared vision of how locally led research can inform education policy and practice,” said Julie Delahanty, president of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). “By working closely with GPE and partners, we are supporting researchers and policymakers who are strengthening both the quality of locally generated knowledge and its uptake in decision-making. This ensures that evidence contributes to tangible improvements in education systems.” she added.

Since 2019, GPE KIX has grown into a major global initiative for turning evidence into action in education — bringing together more than 134,000 participants through over 3,000 events, generating more than 1,800 outputs, and supporting nearly 400 instances of evidence uptake of and innovation across 80 countries. The next phase of KIX will begin in July 2027.

For more information:

• Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications @email Tel: +1 202 948 5395
• Rana Elwakeel, IDRC Senior Media Relations Advisor @email Tel: +1 343-573-8950

About the Global Partnership for Education

GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world’s learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support over 90 countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
www.globalpartnership.org

About the International Development Research Centre

As part of Canada’s foreign affairs and development efforts, IDRC champions and funds research and innovation within and alongside developing regions to drive global change. We invest in high quality-research in developing countries, share knowledge with researchers and policymakers for greater uptake and use, and mobilize our global alliances to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.