The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is now accepting proposals for its 2025–2026 grant cycle, with a special focus on gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Funding Information
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Open Grant: $40,000–$100,000 | Duration: 12–18 months
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GBV in HEIs (STEM-Focused) Grant: $40,000–$100,000 | Duration: 12–24 months
Funding Streams
SVRI will support innovative research that contributes to the prevention and response to:
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Violence against women (VAW)
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Violence against children (VAC)
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Other forms of gender-based violence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
Focus areas include:
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Global and regional research agendas (Africa, LAC, East Asia Pacific)
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Topic-specific agendas: Child Sexual Violence, Technology-Facilitated GBV, GBV in HEIs, and the intersections between VAW and VAC
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A dedicated stream for GBV in HEIs with a STEM focus, a new addition aimed at addressing systemic violence in academic environments.
Priority Areas
Proposals should:
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Involve multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral consortia
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Demonstrate strong local partnerships and institutional support
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Apply feminist, intersectional, and rights-based frameworks
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Ensure ethical, inclusive engagement with affected communities
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Provide a clear division of roles in consortium applications, with equitable partnerships and VAW/VAC research expertise
Eligibility Criteria
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Lead applicants must be based in LMICs, including universities, research institutions, or civil society organisations.
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Must demonstrate an existing evidence base and a clear research gap
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Show alignment with SVRI’s global or regional research agendas
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Reflect strong ethical rigor, including safeguards to prevent harm and ensure informed consent
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Include detailed plans for research uptake and dissemination
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Employ sound research design, including both primary data collection and/or secondary data analysis
How to Apply
Submit your application through the online system at Proposal Central.
Deadline: July 31, 2025
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is calling for proposals for its 2025–2026 grant cycle, targeting gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions, with a focus on STEM disciplines. Funding ranges from $40,000–$100,000 for projects lasting 12–24 months. SVRI aims to support research that aids in the prevention and response to violence against women, children, and other forms of GBV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Research should align with SVRI’s priorities, including global and region-specific agendas, and be multidisciplinary with strong local partnerships. Projects must apply feminist, intersectional, and rights-based frameworks, ensuring ethical and inclusive community engagement. Eligibility requires lead applicants to be based in LMICs within academic or civil society sectors, demonstrating alignment with SVRI agendas and employing sound research design.
Applications, due July 31, 2025, must be submitted online via Proposal Central.
