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THE SECOND ROUND OF APPLICATIONS IS NOW OPEN!

AASSREC is now accepting applications from social scientists for funding to support collaborative social science research activities in the Asia Pacific region.

Program Objectives

AASSREC’s International Social Science Collaboration and Development Grant Program enables and supports international collaboration between social science researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on capacity building through support for Early to Mid-Career Researchers (EMCRs) and underrepresented scholars from the region.

This program is designed to support EMCR researchers from two or more countries to engage in collaboration as part of an existing research program, or in the development or piloting of a new research project or idea. 

The program is suited to early-career researchers and scholars from low and middle-income countries and underrepresented or minority communities who wish to pursue research opportunities with an international colleague/s, with the intention this may lead to larger collaborative research projects.

Applications can include research across all social science research disciplines and cross-disciplinary research. However, priority will be given to applications focusing on one or more of the following themes:
1) Climate change, sustainability and human mobility
2) Public health and disaster response
3) Technology and digital transformations
4) Equity, gender, and indigeneity. 

The grants are being offered as part of AASSREC’s Boosting Social Sciences and their Contribution to Better Lives across the Indo-Pacific program; a partnership between AASSREC and the Global Development Network (GDN), managed by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) and supported by the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC).  

Grant Period and Funding

Grants available through this program are for a maximum of up to $5,750 AUD.

Funding is available to support activities within a 12-month timeframe.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the Principal Applicant must be:

• A social science researcher who, at the time of submitting the grant application, is no more than six years beyond their most recent postgraduate qualification (Masters, PhD, or equivalent degree), excluding eligible career interruptions (refer to Grant Funding Guidelines);
• A resident of a low or middle-income Asia-Pacific country/territory
• Either a resident of an AASSREC member country/territory OR proposing direct collaboration with a researcher in an AASSREC member country/territory; and
• Employed by a research organisation (university, research institute or government research agency) with capacity to administer and support the proposed project (a letter of endorsement from a supervisor or other official is required)

The Principal Applicant will be the recipient of the grant funds (generally through their employing institution) and is responsible for their acquittal. Only one Principal Applicant can be listed in an application. A maximum of five additional project participants can be included in the application.

A list of AASSREC members can be found on the AASSREC website here: https://aassrec.org/members/

Priority researcher categories

All applications from eligible social science researchers in the Asia-Pacific region are welcome. Priority, but not exclusive, consideration will be given to applicants designated as potentially underrepresented, under the intent of the grant program including:

• Women researchers
• Researchers from minority/marginalised communities. This includes communities that experience discrimination and exclusion on the basis of economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions.
• Researchers from low and lower-middle-income countries
• Researchers who have had limited opportunities for international engagement and have yet to establish a track record of external funding

Priority will also be given to interdisciplinary research projects.

How to apply

Applications for funding are open from 8 August 2025 and will close on 20 September 2025.

Grant applications must be completed in English and submitted via the online application portal.

The Application Portal can be found through this link.

The following documents must be submitted via the online application form:

• The curriculum vitae (CV) of the Principal Applicant
• Evidence of any relevant career interruptions of the Principal Applicant
• A signed letter of support from the Principal Applicant’s institution. The letter must be from the Principal Applicant’s supervisor or other university official and should:
  • Confirm the employment of the Principal Applicant with the institution
  • Confirm the applicant’s capacity to undertake the proposed project and the institution’s support for the proposed project
  • Describe how the grant would benefit the applicant’s research career and the opportunity that has been afforded them so far to advance their career (and/or any limits on that opportunity)

Applicants are strongly advised to read the Grant Funding Guidelines before applying.