We are looking for a supplier to research how countries develop and utilise soft power over time, in order to provide useful insights into changing global power dynamics and foreign relations trends for the British Council and for its partners and stakeholders.
This commission builds upon previous desk research projects undertaken in 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 that provided competitor data and analysis of international cultural relations/soft power organisations analogous to the British Council. Trends analysis has always been a key aspect of the project and with this commission we are looking to engage a supplier for the next three waves of the study (2025, 2027 and 2029).
The study should cover:
- Soft Power Infrastructure: The systems, networks, and platforms enabling international influence - including diplomatic missions/networks; overseas aid; educational and cultural institutions; digital platforms and media channels; and foreign/international policies.
- Soft Power Assets: Specific resources like cultural products, research expertise, and global alumni networks that can be deployed in coordination with strategic partners; and
- Soft Power Outcomes: The soft power rankings of the countries surveyed across an agreed list of published soft power indices; economic indicators associated with soft power success; indicators of international influence.
Key deliverables
The duration of this wave of the research study will run from June 2025 to September 2025, with future waves to be undertaken in 2027 and 2029.
Budget
For this research initiative, the budget is up to £25,000+VAT (for each wave, i.e. 2025, 2027 and 2029) = up to £75,000 +VAT. However please note this is a forecast only, which is subject to change. Therefore, the British Council is not committing to, nor guaranteeing this level of spend but this may be used as an indication of potential activity.
Application dates
Activity |
Date / time |
| RFP issued to bidding suppliers | 28 April 2025 |
| Supplier briefing | 7 May 2025 |
| Deadline for clarification questions (Clarification Deadline) | 9 May 2025 |
| British Council to respond to clarification questions | 16 May 2025 |
Deadline for submission of proposals by potential suppliers (Response Deadline) |
28 May 2025 |
| Final decision | 6 June 2025 |
| Contract start date | 12 June 2025 |
How to apply
This page shows a summarised version of the brief. For a full outline of the research commission, please download the Request for Proposals document below. To apply, please complete a Supplier Response form and a Pricing Approach form. The Supplier Response form asks you to answer a series of questions, and the Pricing Approach form covers your project budget. Register for free on our procurement platform to view a copy of the Terms and Conditions of the contract, to ask any clarification questions before the deadline and to submit your proposal.
Tips to navigate our procurement platform
This new platform replaces our old platform, In-Tend. Once you have logged in, to access open opportunities:
- On the left hand side, select the icon 'Source-to-Pay'. This will reveal more icons on the left hand side.
- Select the icon 'Public notices' to see a list of all the current available projects.
- Click on the project titles to find out more. To view the documents, including any answers to clarification questions, and to be able to apply, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions and select 'Confirm participation'.