Apply Now for the 2026 Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Early Career Research Fellowships
SVRI Early Career Research Fellowships
Request for Proposals 2026: Advancing Research on the Intersection of Violence Against Women and Children
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) invites applications for its 2026 Early Career Research (ECR) Fellowships, aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
These fellowships support emerging scholars committed to strengthening the evidence base on the intersection of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). The program is designed to build leadership, expand research capacity, and advance locally relevant knowledge that contributes to preventing violence and promoting the rights and wellbeing of women and children.
In 2026, SVRI will award four fellowships—two doctoral and two postdoctoral—each supporting locally led research that is impactful, sustainable, and grounded in the lived realities of LMICs. This initiative reflects SVRI’s long-standing commitment to shifting global research power by supporting researchers from the regions most affected by VAW and VAC.
Background
Understanding of the connections between VAC and VAW has grown significantly, yet the global evidence base remains limited, inconsistent, and fragmented. Research has traditionally focused on the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and child maltreatment within the home. Far less is known about other forms of violence, their shared drivers, and the ways they reinforce one another across the life course.
An early global review presented at the SVRI Forum 2013 identified six major areas of intersection: shared risk factors; harmful social norms that normalize perpetration and inhibit help-seeking; high household co-occurrence; intergenerational cycles of violence; overlapping consequences; and heightened vulnerability during adolescence. Despite these insights, subsequent systematic reviews in LMICs reveal substantial evidence gaps, including limited research on male-perpetrated violence against children, female-perpetrated IPV, and the lack of common definitions or standardized measures.
More recent reviews identified 29 interventions across 15 countries that effectively address both VAW and VAC, including 18 primary prevention and 11 response interventions. However, most programs still target either IPV or child maltreatment rather than intentionally addressing intersections.
Few combine prevention and response, and methodological constraints—such as small sample sizes, inconsistent measurement, and high risk of bias—limit the conclusions that can be drawn.
These gaps highlight the urgent need for more rigorous, contextually grounded research led by scholars within LMICs.
About the Fellowship
Research on VAW and VAC in LMICs is too often led by institutions in high-income countries, shaping priorities in ways that can overlook local realities. Locally led research, on the other hand, is more relevant, more sustainable, and more likely to generate solutions that resonate within communities.
The SVRI ECR Fellowships invest directly in emerging LMIC researchers who are committed to generating evidence that informs policy, strengthens prevention, and uplifts the rights of women and children. Fellows receive funding and mentorship to conduct high-quality research and join a growing global network of feminist, equity-driven scholars.
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowships aim to:
- Strengthen the evidence base on the intersections of VAW and VAC
- Build research leadership and technical capacity among early career LMIC researchers
- Support the publication, visibility, and dissemination of locally generated knowledge
- Cultivate regional and global networks of feminist researchers committed to social justice
Available Fellowships
| Fellowship Type | Number of Awards | Value (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral | 2 | $17,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Postdoctoral | 2 | $20,500 | Up to 2 years |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be nationals of an LMIC
- Be enrolled full-time at an accredited, in-person LMIC academic institution
- Be conducting dissertation or postdoctoral research on the intersections of VAW and VAC
- (Doctoral applicants) Have a defended or institutionally approved research proposal
Preference will be given to applicants from underrepresented regions or groups and to those demonstrating long-term commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through Proposal Central (proposalcentral.altum.com). New users must create an account before accessing the application.
Applications are accepted in English, French, or Spanish. Applicants should consult the full RFP and FAQs available in all three languages.
A complete application includes:
- Career Objectives statement (6000 characters)
- Community Impact Statement (3000 characters)
- Research Proposal in SVRI’s required format
- Letter from the academic institution confirming enrollment and nationality
- Academic transcripts from the past two years
- Two reference letters, including one from the academic advisor
Short-listed candidates will be invited for a panel interview.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 31 January 2026 at 11:50pm South African Time. Late submissions or applications submitted outside Proposal Central will not be considered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit early to avoid technical delays.
Contact
For queries or technical support, email svri@svri.org with the subject line: Fellowships.
