About SHAPE-SEA
The Strengthening Human Rights and Peace Research/Education in ASEAN/Southeast Asia Programme (SHAPE-SEA) was borne out of a desire by Southeast Asian human rights and peace scholars to establish ways to develop and strengthen the capacities and knowledge of fellow academics working in the region. It is a joint program of the ASEAN University Network- Human Rights Education Theme (AUN-HRE) and the Southeast Asian Human Rights and Peace Studies Network (SEAHRN). SHAPE-SEA is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
SHAPE-SEA’s vision is to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights and peace in Southeast Asia/ASEAN through education and research. It aims to support research efforts that contribute to creating a culture of human rights and peace in Southeast Asia.
About RGP 2023
The Research Grants Programme (RGP) is the flagship program of SHAPE-SEA. Since 2015, we have supported 58 projects that aim to identify and critically analyze issues and identities remain under-represented in regional human rights and peace spaces and discourses. It aims to provide research opportunities, as well as financial, content, and technical support for academics, students, and researchers based in Southeast Asia, who interested in conducting studies on issues of human rights and/or peace at the local, national, and regional levels.
We are proud to announce that we will, once again, offer support for emerging scholars and students based in Southeast Asia through Research Grants Programme (RGP 2023).
Research Scope and Focus
The qualified research projects must cover at least of the following themes:
- Academic Freedom
- Peace, Conflict and Human Security
- Safe and Dignified Migration
- Democracy and Justice
- Cultures, Values and Identities
- Technology, Human Rights and Peace
- Business Accountability
- Gender and Human Rights
- Marginalized groups
Who were are looking for
RGP 2023 aims to build capacity and offer opporunties for emerging scholars and graduate students to contribute to knowledge on critical issues in Southeast Asia. Our grantees must be able to exhibit knowledge about the issue to be tackled by the study. This includes the ability to set objectives, scope and limitations, as well as the ability to articulate context and research problems. He/She/They are expected to have a good grasp of research tools and analytical framework to implement/deliver the intended and proposed study.
The research project must be able to contribute to efforts aiming to achieve gender equality and environmental protection. This includes identifying potential impacts of the study (both implementation and outcomes) and action points to achieve set goals. Research applications must be able to possess strong qualities related to SHAPE-SEA’s principles with its vision regarding conducting research on human rights and/or peace in Southeast Asia.
RGP for Emerging Scholars
- Applicants must be lecturers and researchers, either as individuals or in small teams, with 5 years of experience (max.) and affiliated with a Southeast Asian academic centre/institution.
- Applicants will have 9 to 12 months (depending on the size and scope of the study) to complete their research projects with a maximum grant of Thai Baht (THB) 250,000 per research.
- The research will focus on either a national/local or regional issue(s) concerning either human rights or peace (or both)
- Any research covering more than one research theme is most desired.
RGP for MA & PhD students
- Applicants must be citizens of Southeast Asia countries and based in any tertiary institution in Southeast Asia
- The applicants must complete their projects in twelve (12) months, for a maximum grant of THB 50,000 for MA students and THB 100,000 for PhD students For PhD Thesis Support Programme. It can be used to support data collection and analysis
- The research will focus on either a national/local or regional issue(s) concerning either human rights or peace (or both).
- Any research covering more than one research theme is welcomed.
SHAPE-SEA Support
Apart from funding, grantees will get the chance to be trained on rights-based research and project management. Emerging scholar-grantees will be paired with a mentor, who is an expert on human rights and/or peace. SHAPE-SEA staff will also guide researchers in delivering their expected outputs and administrative requirements.
Expected Results and Output
Apart from an academic paper, our grantees must be able to produce at least one material or activity that can be used for advocacy or increase public awareness. This programme’s output will be presented at the SEAHRN Conference and/or published in SHAPE-SEA’s digital library.
SHAPE-SEA Support
Apart from funding, grantees will get the chance to be trained on rights-based research and project management. Emerging scholar-grantees will be paired with a mentor, who is an expert on human rights and/or peace. SHAPE-SEA staff will also guide researchers in delivering their expected outputs and administrative requirements.
Application Requirements
RGP for Emerging Scholars
- Applicants must be lecturers and researchers, either as individuals or in small teams, with 5 years of experience (max.) and affiliated with a Southeast Asian academic centre/institution.
- Applicants will have 9 to 12 months (depending on the size and scope of the study) to complete their research projects with a maximum grant of Thai Baht (THB) 250,000 per research.
- The research will focus on either a national/local or regional issue(s) concerning either human rights or peace (or both)
- Any research covering more than one research theme is most desired.
RGP for MA & PhD students
- Applicants must be citizens of Southeast Asia countries and based in any tertiary institution in Southeast Asia
- The applicants must complete their projects in twelve (12) months, for a maximum grant of THB 50,000 for MA students and THB 100,000 for PhD students For PhD Thesis Support Programme. It can be used to support data collection and analysis
- The research will focus on either a national/local or regional issue(s) concerning either human rights or peace (or both).
- Any research covering more than one research theme is welcomed.
SHAPE-SEA Support
Apart from funding, grantees will get the chance to be trained on rights-based research and project management. Emerging scholar-grantees will be paired with a mentor, who is an expert on human rights and/or peace. SHAPE-SEA staff will also guide researchers in delivering their expected outputs and administrative requirements.
Expected Results and Output
A fair and competitive selection process is the cornerstone of the RGP. Hence, all of the selection process will be accomplished by a group of experts who will review and select research candidates. They will determine who are most qualified and deserving of SHAPE-SEA’s support. Applicants are required to submit the following documents on or before 31 May 2023:
- An accomplished SHAPE-SEA concept note containing the following:
- Title, name/s of researcher/s, and the total budget.
- Research problem, objective, output, methodology, contribution to existing knowledge
- Brief Research Timeframe
- Commitment to Gender Equality and Environmental Protection.
- Alignment with SHAPE-SEA’s Research Programme Principles
- Finance Situation (Institutional Bank Account)
- Declaration of Conflict of Interest (found in the concept note template)
- Statement of Support/Recommendation from Supervisor or Institution Representative
- Curriculum Vitae (based on 5 years of academic and professional experience)
Submission of Required Documents
All applicants are expected to submit required documents on or before 31 May 2023: Shapesea.rgp@gmail.com.
Email Heading: RGP 2023 – Last Name – Emerging Scholar or Student (ex. RGP 2023 – Lim – Student)
Procedures and Timeline
| No. | Procedures | Timelines |
| 1. | Submission of Accomplished Concept Notes and other requirements | 31 May 2023 (Extended Date) |
| 2 | First Selection and Shortlisting | 15 May- 5 June 2023 |
| 3 | Announcement of shortlisted applicants | First to Second Week of June 2023 |
| 4 | Full proposal submission | First Week of July 2023 |
| 5 | Final Selection | Last Week of July 2023 |
| 6 | Research training and contracting | Second to Third Week of August 2023 |
Contact Person
For inquiries, contact Leony Panjaitan, Project Lead for Knowledge Production at shapesea.rgp@gmail.com.
