Deadline: 09 July 2024

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is inviting applications for innovative research that will contribute to the prevention of and response to violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence caused by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries.

Scope of the SVRI Research Grant 

• The scope of SVRI funding is for research - research is "systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalisable knowledge" that will advance the field on how to improve research, strengthen responses and/or prevent VAW and child sexual violence in low- and middle-income countries.

Financing information

• Applicants can apply for grants of between US$ 40,000 and US$ 150,000 for a duration not exceeding 18 months.

Research they would like to support with this grant

• The SVRI grant calls for research that is priority-driven and impactful, and exemplifies equitable research partnerships and processes that promote the leadership of researchers from low- and middle-income countries. They prioritise research based on feminist principles and recognise and address unbalanced power dynamics between donors and researchers, as well as in partnerships between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, and within countries and between researchers and practitioners.
• Prioritisation processes provide essential guidance for research funding to fill knowledge gaps. Over the past 5 years, SVRI has worked with partners to identify priorities for the field. Consult these agendas to guide the development of your research question - such as the Global Shared Research Agenda, the Latin American and Caribbean agenda; the African Shared Research Agenda and the research priorities on the intersections between VAC and VAW. In the absence of a set of published research priorities for your region, your topic and/or your local community, use the literature, the needs of your own environment and your policies to guide and co-create your research question.

What do they like to see in the proposals?

• In terms of selection, they like to see proposals that:
  • They are from local organisations based in LMICs; and/or multidisciplinary and multisectoral consortia, especially those led by researchers or evidence creators living in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Adopt an intersectional approach to research and involve communities whenever relevant, appropriate and ethical.
  • Provide a clear breakdown of responsibilities for consortium proposals, ensuring equitable partnerships and including a VAW/VAC research expert.
  • Emphasise efforts to develop the capacity of early-career researchers from low- and middle-income countries.
  • Clearly and comprehensively describe strategies for the effective dissemination of results.
  • Provide a logical and clear budget with solid justification.
• In your proposal, also make sure that:
  • Provide a clear and upfront explanation of how your study is based on current evidence and show how you have explored and developed existing research.
  • Articulate how your research addresses a gap in the field, emphasising the advancement of knowledge about VAW/CSV research and programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Demonstrate how your work will strengthen policies and practices or improve methodology in the field.
• Thus, the research supported by the SVRI Research Grant must:
  • Advancing understanding and knowledge.
  • Apply feminist and women-centred principles to research and partnerships.
  • Promoting equitable participation and bringing diverse voices from low- and middle-income countries (young researchers, professionals, survivors, marginalised groups) into the field.
  • Follow international safety and ethical guidelines.
  • Strive for innovation in ideas, new methodologies and partnerships, while developing existing evidence.
  • Strive to be collaborative, intersectoral and multidisciplinary.
  • When relevant and appropriate, endeavour to involve the community where the research will be carried out.
  • Challenge the gender hierarchy that contributes to VAW and VAW, especially child sexual violence, in order to promote gender equality.
  • Inform policies, programmes and services and strengthen access to comprehensive care and support for survivors.

For more information, visit SVRI .