The SVRI, with the support of the Kering Foundation, is offering doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships for early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries. These fellowships aim to build leadership, strengthen research capacity, and advance knowledge on the often over-looked links between violence against women and violence against children.
In 2026, we will award four fellowships – two doctoral and two postdoctoral – to support locally led research that is impactful, sustainable, and grounded in the realities of low and middle-income countries. This initiative is part of a multi-year research programme by the Kering Foundation, in partnership with SVRI and McGill University – to address violence against women and violence against children.
In Partnership With:
Background
Recognition of the deep connections between violence against women and violence against children is growing, yet the evidence base remains limited, fragmented, and underdeveloped. Most research focuses on the intersections between intimate partner violence against women and child maltreatment within the home, with limited evidence on other forms of violence against women and violence against children.
An early global review – findings of which were first shared at SVRI Forum 2013 – identified six key areas of intersection: shared risk factors; harmful social norms that drive perpetration and discourage help- seeking; high rates of co-occurrence, particularly within households; intergenerational impacts; overlapping and compounding consequences throughout life; and adolescence as a critical period of heightened vulnerability to both violence against women and violence against children.
A systematic review of intimate partner violence and violence against children co-occurrence in low and middle-income countries confirmed a significant link between intimate partner violence and child maltreatment but also highlighted major gaps in the evidence. Few studies examined risk factors for co-occurring violence within households, and findings were often contradictory. Research rarely measured male-perpetrated violence against children or female-perpetrated intimate partner violence, and definitions and measures of violence varied widely. These gaps, alongside a lack of gender and power analysis and few longitudinal studies, limit understanding of the relationships between, and the risk and protective factors associated with, co-occurring violence against women and violence against children. Identifying programmes that effectively address both violence against children and violence against children is essential for developing integrated, evidence-based approaches.
A recent rapid systematic review explored these intersections, identifying 29 effective interventions from 15 countries that work across both forms of violence. Interventions identified, include 18 primary prevention initiatives (mostly from low and middle-income countries) and 11 response interventions (mostly from high-income countries). While some were designed to address violence against women and violence against children intersections, most focused on either intimate partner violence or child maltreatment, with limited attention to the other form of violence. Few interventions combined prevention and response, and little evidence exists on ineffective or harmful approaches. Methodological issues, including inconsistent definitions and high risks of bias, further restrict understanding.
About the Fellowship
Too often, research on violence against women and violence against children in low and middle-income countries is led and funded by institutions in high-income countries. This skews priorities and limits relevance. Locally led research, on the other hand, is more impactful, more sustainable, and better aligned with community needs.
Through this fellowship, SVRI–with the support of the Kering Foundation – is investing in early career researchers in low and middle-income countries who are committed to building the evidence and action needed to prevent violence and promote the rights and wellbeing of women and children.
Fellowship Objectives
The SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Researcher Fellowships aim to:
- Strengthen the evidence base on the intersections of violence against women and violence against children.
- Build leadership and research capacity among early-career researchers in low and middle-income countries.
- Support the publication and dissemination of locally generated knowledge.
- Foster regional and global networks of feminist, equity-driven researchers.
Available Fellowships
| Fellowship Type | Number of Awards | Value up to (USD) | Duration |
| Doctoral Fellowship | 2 | $17,000 per year | Up to 2 years |
| Postdoctoral Fellowship | 2 | $20,500 per year | Up to 2 years |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a national of, and residing in, a low or middle-income country.
- Be enrolled full-time at an in-person, accredited academic institution in a low or middle-income country.
- Be undertaking PhD dissertation or postdoctoral research focused on the intersection of violence against women and violence against children.
- For PhD applicants: Have a defended or institutionally approved dissertation proposal.
- For Postdoc applicants: Completed PhD within the last three years (Jan 31, 2023, onwards)
Preference will be given to candidates who:
- Are from underrepresented regions or groups.
- Demonstrate a commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online through Proposal Central: https://proposalcentral.altum.com.
First-time users must register before accessing the application form.
Languages accepted:
- English
- French
- Spanish
Find out more below in the full Request for Proposals with the main frequently asked questions in English, Spanish and French.
Application Process
- Complete Online Application Form, which includes:
- Career objectives (6000 spaces).
- Community impact statement (3000 spaces).
- Research proposal (following SVRI format, see below).
- Upload Required Documents:
- Letter from an academic institution verifying status and nationality.
- Academic transcripts (past 2 years).
- Two reference letters (one from your academic advisor).
- Interview:
Short-listed candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by 31 January 2026 at 11:50pm (South African Time).
Late applications or those not submitted via Proposal Central will not be considered. We strongly encourage early submission. Online platforms may experience high traffic close to the deadline. SVRI and Proposal Central are not responsible for internet issues or submission failures.
Contact Information: For questions or support, please contact: svri@svri.org with subject ‘Fellowships’.
Request for Proposals – Documents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible to apply for the SVRI ECR Fellowship?
You are eligible if you:
- Are a national of a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) as classified by the World Bank
- Are enrolled full-time at an accredited, in-person academic institution in an LMIC
- Are conducting PhD dissertation or postdoctoral research on the intersection of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC)
- (PhD applicants only) Have a defended or institutionally approved dissertation proposal focused on VAW/VAC intersections
2. What is meant by “intersection of VAW and VAC”?
This refers to research exploring the overlapping, connected, or co-occurring experiences of violence that women and children face. This could include:
- Shared risk factors
- Co-occurrence of IPV and child maltreatment
- Intergenerational cycles of violence
- Prevention or response strategies that address both forms of violence
Please see SVRI’s shared research agenda on intersections between VAC and VAW Intersections Between VAW and VAC: Global Shared Research Priorities – SVRI
3. How many fellowships are available?
Four fellowships – two for Doctoral Students and two for post-doctoral researchers are available.
4. What is the value and duration of the fellowships?
- PhD Fellowship: Up to USD $17,000/year for up to 2 years
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Up to USD $20,500/year for up to 2 years
This includes research costs, travel for a week long academic site visit to a national/international university, one conference attendance, and up to 15% overhead.
5. Can I apply if I’m from a high-income country but studying in an LMIC?
No. Applicants must be nationals of an LMIC and based at an academic institution in an LMIC.
6. Can I submit my application in another language besides English?
Yes. Applications are accepted in:
- English
- French
- Spanish
7. What documents do I need to submit with my application?
- Completed online application form (via Proposal Central)
- Proof of enrolment and nationality (letter from institution)
- Academic transcripts (past two years)
- Two reference letters (preferably one from your academic advisor)
- Full research proposal (using the SVRI grant format)
8. Where do I submit my application?
All applications must be submitted online through Proposal Central: https://proposalcentral.altum.com
You must register an account if you’re a first-time user. Search under Award Maker: Sexual Violence Research Initiative.
9. What happens after I submit my application?
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a panel interview. Final selection decisions will be communicated thereafter.
10. Can I submit more than one application?
No. Each applicant may submit only one proposal.
11. What should I include in my budget?
Budgets should include:
- Research costs
- Travel for one week long academic site visit to an international/national university
- Attendance at one academic conference
- Administrative/overhead costs (maximum 15%)
Note: South African applicants must submit budgets in ZAR, not USD. All other applicants should submit their budgets in USD.
12. Do I need ethical approval before applying?
Not necessarily. You must:
- State whether ethical approval has been granted, is pending, or will be sought
- Identify the ethics committee or board that will review your proposal
- Clearly explain how you’ll manage ethical risks in your study
Fellowships will only be awarded once ethical clearance is obtained.
13. Can I apply if I’m in the final year of my PhD or postdoc?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and your research aligns with the fellowship objectives.
14. My university is a past SVRI grant award winner, can I still apply to the fellowship?
Yes, you are eligible to apply to the fellowship as the funding mechanism for fellowship is different than the annual SVRI research awards.
15. Can my PhD advisor charge for their time mentoring me on my research?
No, this fellowship is only to support your research, and your time spent in conducting the research- this does not cover the staff time of advisors or other university staff.
16. My university is asking for additional fees to process the award, will SVRI cover these costs?
We suggest that you enquire with your university in advance about the administrative procedures. The SVRI fellowship allows for 15% indirect costs, which are meant to cover administrative costs for the fellows’ universities to process the award. Any additional cost will not be borne by SVRI.
17. What will happen if I drop out or change my university or topic during the two years of the fellowship?
You will be ineligible for the fellowship if your new topic is not related to VAW/VAC intersections or if you drop out of your academic institution. This fellowship is intended to support researchers working towards a PhD or postdoctoral qualification. As this is a one-year fellowship, we cannot accommodate a change of university within the fellowship period.
18. What is the selection process?
SVRI will follow a 2-step selection process as described below:
Step 1: Review of the applications received by a panel of experts
Step 2: Interviews with shortlisted applicants, followed by shortlisting of the fellowship winners.
19. Will SVRI provide mentorship during the fellowship?
Yes. Fellows will have opportunities for learning, mentorship, and networking through SVRI’s broader programming, including:
- Peer engagement
- Knowledge-sharing platforms
- Potential participation in the SVRI Forum or other events
20. I have not started a postdoc yet. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you can still apply. You would need to identify a potential advisor and institution that can provide you with a letter of support, noting that they will be able to host you if you receive the fellowship.
21. When is the deadline to apply?
All applications must be submitted by 31 January 2026 at midnight SAST. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. If your question is not addressed here, please contact us at: svri@svri.org with the subject ‘fellowships’.
