Justice for women and Indigenous peoples through climate-resilient forests and food systems – John G. Bene Fellowship 2023

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has helped graduate students undertake thesis research in the field of international development since 1982. The Bene fellowship, a bequest from the estate of John G. Bene, is offered annually to Canadians and permanent residents of Canada pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at a Canadian university. Candidates should have an academic background that combines an interest in forests with social sciences (e.g., forestry, agroforestry, climate justice for women and Indigenous people, gender, biodiversity, or ecosystems).

This fellowship facilitates field research on the relationship between forest resources and the social, economic, cultural and environmental welfare of people in developing countries, particularly in the face of changing climate conditions. The successful candidate will propose research that benefits less privileged people in developing countries, focusing on women and Indigenous people, aiming to increase the resilience of individuals and forest communities facing difficult contexts and challenges. Note that work focused on genomics and/or genetic modification is not eligible. 

Eligibility: This call is open to Canadians and permanent residents of Canada pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at a Canadian university. The award under this call will cover costs of field research conducted for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in one or more countries of the Global South.

Deadline: 28 September 2023 at 23:59 EST

More information and how to apply…

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Research Awards 2023-24

As part of Canada’s foreign affairs and development efforts, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) champions and funds research and innovation within and alongside developing regions to drive global change. They invest in high-quality research in developing countries, share knowledge with researchers and policymakers for greater uptake and use, and mobilize global alliances to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.

IDRC offers research awards in 2023-24 related to these development areas or themes:  Climate-Resilient Food Systems,  Democratic and Inclusive Governance,  Education and Science,  Ethics in Development Research,  Global Health, Policy and Evaluation, and  Sustainable Inclusive Economies.All awards will be based in Ottawa except for the Global Health award that will be based in Nairobi.

If your research proposal is selected, you will join IDRC as a Research award recipient for a period of 12 months from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024 to undertake research on the topic you have submitted. You will receive hands-on experience in research and program management and support, grant administration, and the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge from an international perspective. 

Amount: Salary for one year in Canadian Dollars CAD42,033 to CAD48,659

Deadline: 15 February 2023 at 23:59 EST

Eligibility:

  • For the awards based in Ottawa: Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and students from low or middle-income countries, enrolled in a Canadian university with a work permit valid for full-time work (37.5 hours per week) in Canada until 30 April 2024.
  • For the Global Health award based in Nairobi, the candidates must hold Kenyan citizenship.  
  • Students who are enrolled in or who have completed a master’s program from a recognized university within the last three years
  • Preference will be given to students who have completed a master’s degree

More information and applications…

IDRC – International Doctoral Research Awards 2022

IDRC (International Development Research Centre) International Development Research Awards (IDRA) are intended to build capacity and develop research skills in Canada and the Global South to improve the lives of people in the developing world.

The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of emerging researchers at Canadian universities, growing the cohort of researchers able to design, lead and carry out high-quality research that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and specific development outcome areas of particular interest to IDRC.

Amount: up to $20,000

Deadline: August 31,2022

Eligibility criteria:

  • You must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a citizen of a developing country (i.e., defined as ODA-eligible by the OECD Development Assistance Committee) in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • You must be enrolled at a Canadian university at the doctoral level.
  • You must have completed several courses of the doctoral program, but not necessarily all courses, when you submit your application. Note: if you are awarded, you must have completed all coursework and passed comprehensive exams before taking up the award.
  • Your research proposal must be approved by your thesis supervisor. Proof of this is required as part of the application.
  • Your proposed field research must be conducted for a doctoral dissertation and must take place in one or more developing countries.
  • Your field research must be relevant to one of following five development outcome areas to which IDRC aims to contribute through its work:
    • Climate-Resilient Food Systems
    • Democratic and Inclusive Governance
    • Education and Science
    • Global Health
    • Sustainable Inclusive Economies

More information and applications…

International Policy Ideas Challenge 2022

The sixth edition of the International Policy Ideas Challenge call for proposals has just been launched.

Description: The objective of the program is to draw on the network of talented Canadian graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career civil society researchers to identify concrete, innovative solutions to emerging international policy challenges faced by Canada.
The program offers applicants a chance to test their skills at translating academic expertise into policy language and insights.

Themes:Each proposal should outline a trend, dynamic, or research question affecting Canadian foreign policy in relation to one or more themes provided below that applicants believe needs additional study.

  1. Canada-led or- supported actions with close partners, including the G7 and NATO, and/or through Canada’s engagement with international organizations, including the UN, that aim to do 1 or more of:
    • promoting peace and security
    • responding to arbitrary detention, economic coercion or cyber-threats
    • responding to the international COVID-19 pandemic
  2. Canada-led or -supported international responses that advance support for democracy, rule of law, media freedom, inclusive governance and/or human rights, particularly those made in coordination with the G7 and NATO, which could include responding to foreign interference in democratic processes and/or egregious violations of human rights
  3. Applying lessons learned from COVID-19 response and recovery to informing and strengthening Canada’s international assistance in the areas of pandemic preparedness and recovery; you may focus on priority issues, such as:
    • strengthening health systems
    •  the One Health approach
    • education for refugees and forcibly displaced children and youth
    • prevention of gender violence
    • paid and unpaid care work
    • protections for migrant workers in the care economy
    • decent work and employment in a post-COVID-19 world
    • other social and economic considerations
  4. Ways Canada should further support developing countries in taking climate action through adaptation, mitigation and resilience, with particular emphasis on the needs and rights of women and marginalized vulnerable groups; you may focus on 1 or more priority issues, such as:
    • international climate finance, including blended finance
    • feminist approaches
    • nature-based solutions
    • biodiversity
    • small-island developing states
    • Africa-focused programming
    • Indigenous-led solutions
    • locally led climate solutions
    • climate change and security
  5. How Canada can help to build and safeguard an open and inclusive rules-based global trading system that will help raise the standard of living for all Canadians. You may focus on 1 or more priority issues, such as:
    • Strengthening and securing critical supply chains
    • Advancing Canada’s global leadership on critical minerals
    • Ensuring that Canada’s trading relationships are mutually beneficial economic relationships
    • Ensuring that Canadian businesses operating abroad do not contribute to human rights abuses
    • Combatting protectionism, unfair trade practices and economic coercion around the world
    • Positioning Canada as a top destination for global investment while balancing Canada’s national interests
  6. Ways to advance Canada’s export diversification strategy, to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities through increased and more diverse trade and investment. You may focus on 1 or more priority issues, such as:
    • Addressing bilateral trade issues with the United States
    • Developing a strategy for economic cooperation across Africa
    • Reinforcing economic cooperation in our hemisphere
    • Building stronger economic linkages as part of a new Indo-Pacific strategy
    • Negotiating a Canada-United Kingdom Trade Agreement
    • Advancing Canada’s inclusive free trade agenda

Eligibility: current graduate students (Master’s or PhD level) and post-doctoral fellows at a recognized Canadian post-secondary educational institution; must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

Deadline: May 20, 2022

Amount: $3000

More information and how to apply…

Questions: contact Global Affairs Canada at: IPIC-CIPI.POR@international.gc.ca.

New Program at the Africa Institute

Western’s Africa Institute has launched The Canada-Africa Young Scholars Coalition (CAYSC) whose membership will include undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and other trainees of African heritage or identity from across Canada, as well as allies.

Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars are invited to become members of the CAYSC. More information available at The Wire.

(IDRC) Doctoral Research Awards 2020

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) assists Canadian graduate students to undertake their thesis research in the field of international development. IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian and developing-country capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an international perspective.

Amount: up to $20,000

Deadline: June 17, 2020

Doctoral Research Awards support research aligned with IDRC’s mandate and thematic priorities.

Your field research must be relevant to one of six development outcome areas to which IDRC aims to contribute through its work. These are:

  • Health equity
  • Inclusive governance
  • Sustainable and inclusive growth
  • Climate resilience and sustainable food systems
  • Inclusive education
  • Strong science and innovation systems

Eligibility: Open to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing doctoral studies at a Canadian university.

More information…

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Africa Institute Graduate Student Research Fund

The Africa Institute Graduate Student Research Fund is open to Western graduate students. Students may apply for the research fund grant to defray expenses incurred for their thesis research and/or other activities associated with graduate research and knowledge translation (such as the communication or dissemination of research results) that fall within the domain of African-related scholarship.

Deadline: January 17, 2020, 3:00 pm

Amount: up to $1500

Questions: contact The Africa Institute at africain@uwo.ca or 519-661-2111 ext. 82277.

More information and how to apply…

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Safety Abroad & Travel Registry

Western International maintains a Safety Abroad website for the Western community and a comprehensive Travel Registry system for students traveling internationally. 

Enhanced safety for students, faculty and staff when traveling abroad is a priority for Western. The Safety Abroad website contains detailed steps and resources for travelers, including information on International SOS – a worldwide service to help students, faculty and staff prepare for travel and assist in emergency situations. The website also provides instruction for students on how to enter details in the Travel Registry.   

Any Western student traveling on a university-sanctioned international experience, including graduate students and undergraduate students, part-time and full-time, is required to enter travel details in the registry at least three weeks before traveling. 

The Travel Registry helps support students as they prepare to travel outside of Canada, and allows Western to respond more effectively should an emergency arise.

University-sanctioned activities include: exchange, study abroad, internships, community-engaged learning opportunities, faculty-led programs, conferences, field research, and more. Essentially, any international travel outside of Canada that has been approved authorized, and/or supported by a Western University unit, department, staff, and/or faculty member. A full list of applicable programs and experiences

Please note it is not a requirement for Faculty and Staff to use the Travel Registry when planning international travel. However, it is recommended that everyone become familiar with Western’s Safety Abroad Policy and the resources available on the Safety Abroad website. For Faculty and Staff members who lead student trips abroad, there is a requirement to enter details into part of the Registry. Detailed steps for this can be found on the Safety Abroad website.

For questions about Safety Abroad and the Travel Registry, please contact travelregistry@uwo.ca

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SSHRC-CIGI Post-Doctoral Fellowship Competition

The CIGI International Law Research Program announces the 2019 SSHRC-CIGI post-doctoral fellowship. This funding opportunity is open to citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Permanent resident status must be obtained, at the latest, by the application deadline. Candidates must apply through the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships competition website.

It is offered as a joint initiative administered collaboratively by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the International Law Research Program (ILRP) of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).

Deadline: September 20, 2019

ValueUp to $80,500 per year plus up to $18,00 in research allowance
Duration    Between 12 to 24 months

Post-doctoral fellowships for research in one or more of the ILRP areas of focus:

  • Intellectual property law
  • Economic law
  • Environmental law
  • Indigenous law

The ILRP invites doctoral students who are completing their SJD/PhD in Law and those who have completed such a degree in the last two years to apply for these post-doctoral fellowships.

More info at: https://www.cigionline.org/jobs/sshrc-cigi-post-doctoral-fellowship-competition

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International Development Research Centre (IDRC) – Doctoral Research Awards

Canada’s IDRC assists Canadian graduate students to undertake their thesis research in the field of international development. IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian and developing-country capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an international perspective.

Amount: up to $20,000

Deadline: May 23, 2019

Doctoral Research Awards support research aligned with IDRC’s mandate and thematic priorities. Proposed research must fit within the priorities of the Agriculture and Environment, Inclusive Economies, or Technology and Innovation program areas as set out at https://www.idrc.ca/en/idrc-thematic-priorities.

Eligibility: Open to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing doctoral studies at a Canadian university.

More information…

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