SVRI Early Career Research Fellowships 2026

If you’re an early-career researcher based in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) with a strong interest in the intersections of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC), the SVRI Early Career Research Fellowships 2026 are a remarkable opportunity to advance your work, build capacity, and generate locally led evidence. Below is a full breakdown of the fellowship, how it works, who it’s for, and how to apply — plus additional context and tips.

🎓 SVRI Fellowship Summary

• Location: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (host institution must be in LMIC)

• Host Institution: Any in-person, accredited academic institution in an LMIC

• Study Level: Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral research

• Target Group: Early-career researchers; nationals of LMICs working on VAW/VAC intersection research

• Fields of Focus: Research on violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC), especially their intersection

• Award & Value:

  • Doctoral Fellowship: up to USD 17,000 

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: up to USD 20,500 

• Duration: Up to 2 years

• Application Deadline: 31 January 2026, 11:50 pm (South African Time)

• Start Date: Not explicitly stated, but fellowship is “up to 2 years” — likely soon after awarding; follow SVRI timeline.

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

Background & Rationale

Violence against women and violence against children are deeply interlinked, but in many LMIC contexts, the research exploring these intersections is still very limited. SVRI (Sexual Violence Research Initiative) highlights that existing studies are often fragmented, with inconsistent definitions, and disproportionately focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) within the home rather than other forms of abuse.

Key gaps include:

• Risk factors that drive both VAW and VAC but are not well studied together.

• Limited longitudinal research and gender-power analysis.

• Few interventions explicitly designed to address both forms of violence together.

By funding early-career researchers in LMICs, SVRI aims to generate locally led, contextually grounded evidence, build research leadership, and foster networks of feminist and equity-driven scholars.

📖 Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship is designed to:

1. Strengthen the evidence base on the intersections between VAW and VAC.

2. Build leadership and research capacity among early-career researchers in LMICs.

3. Support publication and dissemination of locally generated knowledge.

4. Foster networks: regional and global connections among feminist, equity-driven researchers.

🧩 Fellowship Details

• Number of Awards: Four in total — 2 doctoral, 2 postdoctoral.

• Funding:

  • Doctoral: up to USD 17,000 for up to 2 years

  • Postdoctoral: up to USD 20,500 for up to 2 years

• Use of Funds: While not detailed explicitly on the summary, funds typically go toward research expenses, data collection, travel (if needed), dissemination, and possibly stipend — check the full RFP for permissible budget lines.

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• Financial Support: Funding to carry out meaningful research over 1–2 years.

• Capacity Building: Strengthen your research skills, leadership, and expertise in VAW/VAC topics.

• Visibility & Impact: Opportunity to publish and disseminate research findings; contribute to global evidence as a researcher based in an LMIC.

• Networking: Access to SVRI’s global network of gender-based violence researchers and practitioners — potential for collaboration, mentorship, and future funding.

• Sustainability: Support for locally led research promotes long-term change and ownership.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Be a national of a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) per SVRI classification.

• Be enrolled full-time in an in-person, accredited academic institution in an LMIC (for PhD applicants).

• Be conducting PhD dissertation research or postdoctoral research on the intersection of VAW and VAC.

• For PhD candidates: have a defended or institutionally approved dissertation proposal.

Preference is given to:

• Candidates from underrepresented regions or groups.

• Those who demonstrate long-term commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls.

📝 Application Procedure

1. Online Application: Submit via Proposal Central (ProposalCentral.altum.com).

2. Application Form Components:

   • Career Objectives (6000 characters)

   • Community Impact Statement (3000 characters)

   • Research Proposal, following SVRI’s specified format.

3. Upload Documents:

   • A letter from your academic institution verifying your enrollment status and nationality.

   • Academic transcripts (last 2 years)

   • Two reference letters (one should be from your academic advisor)

4. Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview.

5. Language Options: Applications accepted in English, French, and Spanish.

Contact for Questions: You can write to svri@svri.org, with the subject line “Fellowships” for support.

👌🏻 Tips & Additional Information

• Start Early: Since the use of Proposal Central may be new for some applicants, register early and get familiar with the application system.

• Ethical Considerations: Make sure your proposal includes a strong ethics plan. In their FAQs, SVRI emphasizes ethical rigor, including safety guidelines and strategies for minimizing harm.

• Budget Realistically: Justify all budget items carefully. Small grants like these often require tight budget plans — ensure you align with what SVRI expects in terms of use.

• Leverage Local Networks: Since SVRI favors locally led research, engaging with community stakeholders, local NGOs, or institutions in your country can strengthen your proposal.

• Show Long-Term Commitment: Highlight not just your research project, but how your work will contribute to broader change in your region or field.

• Prepare for the Interview: If shortlisted, be ready to discuss how your research will be feasible, ethical, and impactful in your context.

🚀 Why This Fellowship Matters

• Equity in Research: It helps shift the power dynamics in global research by funding researchers based in LMICs, rather than always relying on institutions from high-income countries.

• Building Local Capacity: By investing in early-career researchers, SVRI is helping to grow the next generation of leaders in gender-based violence research in contexts that are often underrepresented.

• Addressing Critical Gaps: The targeted focus on VAW–VAC intersections recognizes a nuanced, underexplored area that is crucial to both policy and practice.

• Global & Community Impact: Findings from these fellowships can inform more effective interventions, policies, and support systems that are tailored for specific LMIC settings.

🔗 Details & Apply

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