The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has launched a funding initiative titled “Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa” (ANSRHRA) for 2024. This initiative aims to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for underserved populations, particularly women and girls, across sub-Saharan Africa by supporting transformative gender-based research projects.
Award Overview
- Application Deadline: May 13, 2024, by 23:59 ET.
- Award Type: Grants
- Grant Funding: Up to CAD 1.2 million per implementation research team, with a duration of up to 36 months.
Eligibility and Priority Areas: The ANSRHRA Initiative is specifically focused on five key areas of SRHR:
- Improving access to family planning and contraceptive services.
- Expanding access to safe abortion where legally permitted and providing post-abortion care.
- Upholding SRHR rights and ensuring access to services for adolescents.
- Preventing and improving services for those experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.
- Strengthening advocacy for SRHR.
Successful projects must address at least one of these focus areas and demonstrate a commitment to gender-transformative change and feminist research methodologies. This includes integrating health systems research perspectives, collaborative approaches, and working with local priorities and knowledge, especially from underserved populations.
Project Team Requirements
- A research team must include:
- An African-based principal investigator from an eligible institution in the same country as the project.
- A senior member of a civil society organization prioritizing or led by underserved populations, active in supporting priority SRHR areas, as a co-principal investigator.
- An independent researcher based at a Canadian institution as a co-principal investigator.
- At least one decision-maker at the local, district, or national level from the same country as the principal investigator.
Application Process: The application process involves a two-stage approach:
- Letter of Interest (LOI): In the initial stage, applicants must submit a letter of interest, which includes completing an eligibility checklist and uploading supporting documents.
- Full Technical Proposal: Only successful applicants from the LOI stage will be invited to submit a detailed technical proposal.
Important Dates and Resources:
- Virtual Q&A Webinar: Scheduled for March 26, 2024, from 8:00-9:30 a.m. EDT/3:00-4:30 p.m. CAT, with simultaneous French interpretation.
- Registration for Webinar: Closes on March 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 p.m. CAT.
- Further Information and Resources: Applicants are encouraged to consult the call document and FAQs for detailed requirements and eligibility criteria.
Empowering African Research and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funding initiative “Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa” (ANSRHRA) for 2024 presents a significant opportunity for research grants to Africans, particularly in the following ways:
- Local Empowerment and Ownership: By emphasizing the inclusion of African-based principal investigators and research teams, the initiative fosters local ownership and empowerment in tackling SRHR issues. This approach ensures that research is grounded in the local context and tailored to meet the specific needs of African communities.
- Capacity Building: The grants offer an avenue for African researchers and institutions to strengthen their research capacity in SRHR. This includes gaining access to international collaborations, methodologies, and best practices that can enhance local research expertise and contribute to sustainable development.
- Focus on Underserved Populations: By prioritizing research that addresses the SRHR needs of underserved populations such as women, girls, and adolescents, the grants empower local researchers to identify and address pressing issues within their communities. This targeted approach can lead to more effective and relevant interventions.
- Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Approaches: The initiative’s requirement for a collaborative team, including researchers from Canadian institutions and local decision-makers, promotes interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to research. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions and a more comprehensive understanding of SRHR challenges.
- Policy and Advocacy Impact: By including decision-makers as part of the research team, the grants facilitate the translation of research findings into actionable policy changes and advocacy efforts. This integration can lead to long-term improvements in SRHR services and rights for African populations.
- Fostering Gender-Transformative Change: The focus on gender-transformative change and feminist research methodologies emphasizes the importance of challenging traditional norms and power structures. This approach can contribute to greater gender equality and empowerment within African societies.
- Access to Funding and Resources: The grants provide substantial financial support (up to CAD 1.2 million per team) for research projects over an extended period (up to 36 months). This level of funding enables researchers to undertake comprehensive studies and implement transformative initiatives.
- Promoting Sustainable Change: By supporting projects that integrate local priorities and knowledge, the grants promote sustainable, community-driven change that aligns with the values and needs of African populations.
Overall, the IDRC’s ANSRHRA Initiative offers African researchers and institutions a unique and impactful opportunity to contribute to the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the region, fostering sustainable and meaningful change for underserved populations.
For the complete eligibility requirements, including a list of eligible countries and frequently asked questions (FAQs), please visit the links below:
Visit Award Webpage for Details
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2024). IDRC Launches CAD 1.2 Million Grants for SRHR Research in Sub-Saharan Africa: Empowering African Researchers and Communities. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/idrc-launches-cad-1-2-million-grants-for-srhr-research-in-sub-saharan-africa-empowering-african-researchers-and-communities/
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