SVRI Grant 2026 – Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher, Education STEM Fields: (Deadlines: 11 August, 2025)

SVRI Grant 2026 – Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher,Apply by August 12, 2025 Education STEM Fields

Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education Institutions with a Focus on STEM

Introduction

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is inviting applications for its 2026 grant cycle, with a newly introduced funding envelope focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This new stream specifically targets Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the grant aims to generate evidence-based solutions to GBV in STEM, foster inclusive academic environments, and strengthen gender-responsive institutional policies.

This stream is part of SVRI’s broader 2025–2026 Open Grant call and responds to growing awareness of the unique risks and opportunities for women and marginalized groups in STEM fields within higher education.

About the Grant

The GBV in HEIs (STEM-focused) grant supports projects that:

• • Address violence and discrimination in STEM disciplines within higher education
  • Promote the participation and safety of women and underrepresented groups
  • Influence institutional policy and practice with research evidence
  • Apply an intersectional lens to explore diverse student and faculty experiences
  • Build equitable, locally led partnerships and capacity within LMICs

The SVRI encourages proposals that aim for both academic excellence and long-term institutional change. This stream is highly competitive and has a limited funding envelope.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must:

• • Be based in low- and middle-income countries eligible under IDRC’s funding guidelines
  • Represent universities, research institutions, or nonprofit organizations
  • Demonstrate support from at least one Higher Education Institution (HEI)
  • Build on existing research and address an evidence gap in the field
  • Include ethical, inclusive research design and methods

Proposals should ideally involve multidisciplinary teams, adopt feminist and rights-based approaches, and include early-career researchers or capacity-strengthening components.

Grant Details

• Funding amount: Between $40,000 and $100,000
• Duration: 12–24 months
• Languages accepted: English, French, Spanish
• Eligible countries: IDRC’s list of LMICs only
• Submission platform: Proposal Central

Applicants must comply with IDRC’s Open Access Policy, country-specific cooperation agreements, and any national-level approval requirements prior to funding disbursement.

Application Deadlines: 12 August 2025

• GBV in HEIs (STEM-focused) Stream: 11 August 2025 at 11:59 PM (South African Time)

Late applications or those submitted outside of the official online platform will not be considered.

Apply now via Proposal Central: Apply Here
View SVRI’s full grant guidelines: Here

What SVRI Looks For

Proposals should demonstrate:

• Clear strategies to influence institutional policies
• Intersectional analysis of GBV and structural inequalities
• Collaboration with HEIs and support from relevant academic departments
• Attention to ethics, participant safety, and informed consent
• A practical, cost-effective budget and timeline
• Plans for dissemination and research uptake

SVRI prioritizes projects that build local leadership, contribute to evidence-informed policy, and align with the organization’s research agendas on violence against women and children.

Contact and Support

For further information or assistance, contact:
Email: svri@svri.org
Website: https://www.svri.org

Conclusion

The SVRI Grant 2026 provides a critical opportunity to advance gender equity and address GBV in higher education institutions, particularly in STEM fields. If your organization is committed to transforming academic spaces through evidence and inclusive research, apply now and help shape safer futures for students, staff, and educators worldwide.