Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay a membership fee?

No.  There is no membership fee required.  You can also request research anywhere in our research network for free.  Once a researcher is available in the location and time frame that you specify, you can apply for research by filling out the application and paying a $50 application fee that is applied towards the payment of the research.

Does NEON perform research itself?

NEON has a business analysis unit that can perform research and in addition we have established a network of university researchers worldwide to perform research on site.  For all advanced research projects, the Business Analysis Unit determies the research strategy and uses resources from anywhere in the network to conduct the research as needed.  NEON finds the best researcher to match your research request, develops an agreement with the researcher, presents the agreement for your approval, and manages the payments to ensure that you receive your results before the researcher is paid.

How can I be sure that the researchers are qualified?

All of the researchers that are part of the NEON network have been recommended by faculty at their universities.  The researcher will indicate their experience and skills in the research agreement which is reviewed by the faculty member recommending them.  NEON faculty members are long term members of NEON and agree to the NEON standards for research quality.  In addition, NEON provides incentives to the researchers for the highest quality work.

Managing research is difficult, especially if it is in another country, how can I be sure it's done right?

To improve research results NEON provides well structured research applications and agreements.  Our Regional Coordinators monitor the research to keep it on track and ensure that reports contain the information you requested.  In addition, NEON will manage the payment process for you so that you are ensured that the terms of the research agreement are met before your payment is sent to the researcher.

What if I can't afford to pay for the research that I need at this time?

As a member of NEON you can participate in the annual competition for research grants.  NEON selects social entrepreneurs that have the background and ideas to start businesses that will make a big difference in the lives of people throughout the world and provides them a grant to pay for their research.

Is NEON Global Research a 501(c)(3) organization and can I contribute to help provide research grants for promising social entrepreneurs?

Yes, NEON has received it's 501(c)(3) status and is accepting contributions to its research grant fund.  Each year, research grants are awarded to those social entrepreneurs that have the potential to make a big difference in the lives of people who are currently in poverty or under served in some way.  Through the generous contributions of our donors we can provide the research to get these businesses up and running faster and more effectively.