Request for proposals

The UCGHI Women's Health, Gender and Empowerment Center of Expertise (WHGECOE) is seeking proposals (up to $25,000) from international university partners to conduct research to strengthen their campus’ prevention and response to sexual assault, harassment, stalking, dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence.

The funding opportunity

Eligibility: This funding opportunity is open to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) university partners only. US-based researchers collaborating with LMIC university partners are also eligible. 

Funding is for institutions, not individuals. Applicants must have an official affiliation with a university/college based in a LMIC that will administer the funds. Applicants from US institutions must be partnered directly with a LMIC-based university/college. Student applicants from foreign or US institutions must be connected to a senior investigator either at an international or US institution. 

Scope of work: Funds are intended to support international universities in their work to 1) assess scope, determinants and consequences of campus-based sexual assault, harassment, stalking, dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence, and/or 2) design, improve and evaluate policies, programs and resources to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harassment.

The funding cycle and reporting: The funding cycle will be March 1, 2018 – October 31, 2019. Applicants can propose a 12- or 18-month project. Awardees will be required to submit a comprehensive written report at the completion of the project. Awardees will also be expected to set up regular meetings (via Skype or teleconference) at 6 month intervals with the WHGECOE Signature Project director during the award period.

Types of projects that may be supported through this call include

  • Formative research to design tools and methods for assessing the prevalence and determinants of different forms of violence on university campuses or to design violence prevention programs.
  • Piloting, adapting, testing and/or scale-up of new/promising programs to prevent campus-violence.
  • Self-contained research projects that are stand alone or that fit in a larger project, to build on or support prevention or response of campus- violence, including formative, pilot or feasibility studies.
  • Adding a new component/arm to an already funded intervention that can provide additional insight into the effectiveness of intervention components.
  • Secondary analysis of existing data.
  • Studies to assess the impact, community perception or provider opinion of existing campus-based violence prevention programs or of existing services for survivors of violence.

How to apply

Application components: Please address each of the following in your proposal: (5 pages or less)

  • Research plan summary with specific aims – 1 page
  • Description of location and population – include descriptions of:
  • The university setting – ½ page
  • The target population – ½ page
  • Existing partnerships, policies or programs on violence prevention on campus. Please include any synergies or relationships with existing efforts – up to 1 page
  • Research methods – 1 page
  • Expected challenges – ¼ page
  • Potential impact of expected results ¼ page
  • Expected contribution(s) to the field – ¼ page
  • Any additional information you’d like us to consider – ¼ page

Format: A single-column letter formatted to an 8 ½" x 11" page. Provide at least one-half inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right) for all pages. Include applicant name, titles, and Headings (e.g., Significance, Innovation) within the text of your attachments. Do not include headers or footers.

Font (size, color, type density) and Line Spacing: Text in should follow these minimum requirements: 11 points or larger, single spaced, black only is preferred (smaller text in figures, graphs, diagrams, and charts is acceptable as long as it is legible when the page is viewed at 100%). Ideal fonts include: Arial, Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman, and Verdana.

Budget: Please submit a budget with justification (1 page). Applicants should describe clear and direct use of the funds and the impact it will have. Funds can be used for paying project supplies and other project-related expenses (but typically not for equipment). Applicants may request up to USD $25,000.

Application deadline: Monday, January 15, 2018 at 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time, USA 

Funding decision: Will be made in March 2018. We anticipate funding 3 to 5 projects.

To apply, please send completed application materials to Chiao-Wen Lan by Monday, January 15, 2018. Any questions should also be sent to Chiao-Wen Lan.