The countries most at risk of climate change are also those where women and girls face the greatest dangers. “Without urgent action, climate change will set back the clock on gender equality,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “UNFPA is pleased to support young female researchers studying the impacts of climate on women’s health. This is important to ensure that both the priorities of women and girls are reflected in climate strategies in the most vulnerable countries and that women are better represented in climate-related decision-making.”
In this context, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with academic partners, is launching the Research Challenge: Climate Change XX: Women’s Health in Focus. This Challenge will support young and female researchers who are addressing the impact of climate change on women and girls’ health – with special attention to the topic of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender equity and inclusion in the design of climate solutions.
Eligibility criteria
- We invite submissions from research teams and organizations led by young researchers under 35 years old, or by a female researcher, with a preference for women-led research.
- Applicants must commit to the bi-weekly support program from August to November and be prepared to deliver the results of the research study or share new findings within a four-month period.
- While the final outcome of the research is not expected to be delivered within the timeline and scope of this initiative, applicants must be prepared to present evidence of how the received grants have advanced the research by November 2024.
- Individuals and teams must be living and working in, and originate from, UNFPA Program Countries and demonstrate proximity to the community served by their solution.
- At a minimum, applicants must already have an established scope of research and key research questions.
- Organizations can be for-profit, nonprofit, or hybrid models.
- Team members must have a working knowledge of English to participate in the support program.
- Only one submission per applying team is permitted. All submissions must be made in English only.
Format of the Challenge
UNFPA, in collaboration with academic partners, launches the Research Challenge to identify up to six winning proposals. Each winning proposal will receive the grant to support the researcher or research team with seed funding of up to $15,000. Winning teams will sign a 4-month contract during which they will:
- Advance their research in identifying and understanding the impact of climate change on the health of women and girls.
- Enhance integration of gender transformative approaches in the design of their study, focusing on equitable inclusion of women in the dataset at all stages of the study.
- Strengthen inclusivity and responsiveness to the unique needs of women and girls.
Timeline
- Call for Submissions Opens: 18 June 2024
- Submission Deadline: 7 July 2024
- Evaluation Period: 8 July – 26 July 2024
- Announcement of Winners (Sign Award + disburse funds): August 2024
- Research Support Programme: August – November 2024
- The culmination of the Research Challenge: December 2024
Deadline: 7 July 2024
Click HERE to Apply
