SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships 2026 for Early-Career Researchers

Are you committed to advancing research that improves the lives of women and children in low- and middle-income countries? The SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships 2026 provide an exceptional opportunity for emerging scholars to strengthen their academic careers while contributing to evidence-based solutions that address violence against women and violence against children.

Through this highly supportive fellowship program, early-career researchers are empowered to lead impactful studies that promote safety, equity, and long-term social change.

SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships 2026

The fellowship initiative is designed to build strong research leadership among early-career scholars working at the intersection of violence against women and violence against children. Supported by the Kering Foundation in partnership with the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and McGill University, the program aims to enhance research capacity across low- and middle-income regions.

In 2026, four competitive fellowships will be awarded, two for doctoral candidates and two for postdoctoral researchers. Each award is structured to fund research that is driven locally, ethically grounded, and sustainable. The program encourages studies that reflect the lived realities of communities affected by gender-based violence, ensuring that the research outputs can influence policy, programming, and long-term solutions.

By supporting early-career professionals, the fellowship increases the number of skilled researchers who can generate quality evidence to tackle violence against women and violence against children, areas that remain underfunded and understudied in many LMICs.

SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships 2026 Summary

What Is the SVRI-Kering Foundation Fellowship All About?

The SVRI-Kering Foundation Fellowship is a capacity-building program developed to nurture the next generation of researchers who will contribute to the global body of knowledge on gender-based violence. The fellowship focuses on scholars in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of violence against women and children is high, but funding for research remains limited.

This initiative supports rigorous academic research that:

• strengthens understanding of the shared drivers of violence against women and violence against children,
• encourages innovative approaches to preventing violence,
• promotes community-centered and culturally grounded solutions, and
• empowers local researchers to become leaders in their fields.

By providing financial support, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, the fellowship ensures that early-career academics can focus on high-quality research without being limited by resource constraints.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To qualify for the SVRI-Kering Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of a low- or middle-income country and currently residing there.
• Be enrolled full-time at an accredited in-person academic institution located in a low- or middle-income country.
• Be conducting PhD dissertation research or postdoctoral research related to violence against women and violence against children.
• PhD applicants must already have a defended or institutionally approved dissertation proposal.
• Postdoctoral applicants must be actively engaged in research and affiliated with an academic institution.
• University-level experience gained as a student does not count toward eligibility.
• Applicants must not be working in public relations or in institutions where media or advocacy is not part of the primary mandate.
• A strong commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls is highly preferred.
• Priority will also be given to researchers from communities or regions that are underrepresented in global research spaces.

Fellowship Benefits

Recipients of the SVRI-Kering Foundation Fellowship will receive substantial financial and research support, including:

Financial Support

• Up to USD 17,000 for doctoral researchers.
• Up to USD 20,500 for postdoctoral researchers.
• Funding is available for research-related expenses, materials, data collection, software, travel for fieldwork, and other justified research costs.

Academic and Professional Support

• Access to mentorship and research guidance from experienced global experts.
• Capacity-building workshops focused on research methods, ethics, and communication.
• Opportunities to participate in global networks dedicated to preventing violence against women and children.

Collaborative Opportunities

• Engagement with international researchers through SVRI-supported platforms.
• Increased visibility in global conversations related to gender-based violence.

This support package is designed to strengthen research quality while enabling scholars to produce findings that will influence policy, advocacy, and community-level interventions.

Required Documents

All applicants must upload the following documents through the Proposal Central application platform:

• A letter from your academic institution confirming enrollment status and nationality.
• Academic transcripts for the past two years.
• Two reference letters (one must be from the academic advisor).
• A complete research proposal following the SVRI structure.
• A detailed statement outlining career goals.
• A community impact statement demonstrating commitment to advancing the rights of women and children.

All documents should be clearly labeled and submitted in PDF format.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Apply

Visit the Proposal Central Portal

Go to the official online application portal via: https://www.svri.org/svri-early-career-research-fellowships/

First-time users must create an account before accessing the fellowship application.

Complete the Online Application Form

Applicants must fill out all required sections, including:

• Career objectives (up to 6000 characters)
• Community impact statement (up to 3000 characters)
• Full research proposal

Upload All Supporting Documents

Ensure that each document is accurate, clearly titled, and submitted in an acceptable language (English, French, or Spanish).

Submit Before the Deadline

All applications must be submitted before January 31, 2026, at 11:50 p.m. South African Time.

Attend the Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview conducted by SVRI and its partners.

Because the process is highly competitive, applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure their application materials are strong and complete.

Why Apply for the SVRI-Kering Foundation Fellowship?

• It supports scholars from regions where funding for research is scarce.
• It enhances professional growth through mentorship and international collaboration.
• It strengthens the global evidence base needed to develop policies that protect women and children.
• It builds local expertise and sustainable leadership in LMICs.

By receiving this fellowship, researchers join a global mission to create safer and more equitable societies.

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