Application Volume: 1.9K
Deadline for Submission: 31 January 2026, 11:50 PM (South African Time)
The call for applications is now open for the 2026 SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships. These fellowships are provided by the Social Science Research Council’s SVRI (Sexual Violence Research Initiative), in collaboration with the Kering Foundation. They target promising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who are based in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The program’s primary goals are to nurture leadership, expand research expertise, and deepen understanding of the frequently understudied overlap between violence against women and violence against children. For the 2026 cycle, there will be a total of four fellowships awarded—two designated for doctoral candidates and two for postdoctoral researchers. These fellowships are intended to support research projects that are locally led, impactful, sustainable, and rooted in the contexts of low- and middle-income countries.
This fellowship initiative is part of a broader, multi-year research partnership involving the Kering Foundation, SVRI, and McGill University. Its focus is to generate evidence and knowledge that address violence against women and children in these regions.
Available Fellowships
| Fellowship Type | Number of Awards | Maximum Funding (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Fellowship | 2 | $17,000 | Up to 2 years |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | 2 | $20,500 | Up to 2 years |
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be nationals of, and currently residing in, a low- or middle-income country.
- They must be enrolled full-time at an accredited academic institution located in a low- or middle-income country, attending in person.
- Their research—whether PhD dissertation or postdoctoral study—should focus explicitly on the intersection of violence against women and violence against children.
- PhD candidates are required to have a defended or institutionally approved dissertation proposal to qualify.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Come from regions or groups that are traditionally underrepresented in this field.
- Show a strong dedication to promoting the rights, welfare, and wellbeing of women and girls.
Application Procedure
All candidates must submit their applications electronically via Proposal Central. New applicants will need to create an account prior to accessing the application form. Use the following link to apply: https://proposalcentral.altum.com.
Applications are accepted in English, French, and Spanish.
Required Application Components:
- Complete the online application form including:
- Career objectives statement (up to 6000 characters)
- Community impact statement (up to 3000 characters)
- Research proposal following the SVRI format (details provided in the application portal)
- Upload the following supporting documents:
- An official letter from your academic institution confirming your enrollment status and nationality
- Academic transcripts covering the last two years
- Two letters of recommendation, including one from your academic advisor
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview as part of the final selection process.
Additional Information
For further details and updates, applicants are encouraged to Visit the Official Webpage of the SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships.
