By Hannah Bray

Abstract: This capstone project proposes a research plan built on the emerging literature of earmarked funding in international relations. Earmarked funding (EF) is both on the rise and increasingly stratified between funds that are stringently earmarked and those that are less stringently earmarked. Previous works have found a negative relationship between EF and cost efficiency, as well as an increase in budget overruns from intended contributions, but fewer works have examined the stringency aspect. What is the relationship between the level of stringency of EF and cost overruns in projects implemented by international organizations (IOs)? I posit that the
level of stringency, or the level of requirements put on funds to be used by implementing IOs by donors, is an explanation for cost overruns because it necessitates additional resources and labor to implement projects while meeting a higher number of donor requirements.