Deadline: 30-Dec-2025
Explore Institutional Grants support universities and research institutions in Southeast Asia to address systemic gender inequalities in learning, teaching and research through inclusive, evidence-based institutional reforms. Grants of USD 15,000–25,000 are available for nine-month projects ending in February 2027. Eligible institutions are based in Lao PDR, Timor-Leste and Cambodia and work in forestry, environmental and related social science fields.
Grant Overview
The Explore Institutional Grants aim to advance gender equity within universities and research institutions by supporting context-specific, inclusive and sustainable institutional interventions.
The grants focus on identifying, analysing and addressing systemic gender inequalities in learning, teaching and research environments, while strengthening institutional capacity, leadership commitment and governance structures for long-term organizational change.
Purpose and Objectives
The grant programme seeks to catalyse sustainable institutional transformation by embedding gender-responsive policies, practices and systems.
Key objectives include improving internal institutional policies, strengthening coordination across departments, enhancing leadership accountability for gender equity and promoting documentation, peer learning and shared reflection across the Explore network.
Funding Amount and Duration
Grants range between USD 15,000 and USD 25,000.
Each funded project must be implemented over a nine-month period, with all activities concluding by February 2027, while laying foundations for longer-term institutional change beyond the grant period.
Focus Areas and Eligible Activities
Applicants are expected to propose evidence-informed interventions that address institutional or structural barriers to gender equality.
Eligible actions may include gender analysis and diagnostics, policy and planning improvements, capacity-building initiatives, establishment or strengthening of institutional gender mechanisms and pilot support measures tailored to the institution’s specific context and capacity.
Eligible Institutions
Applications are open to universities and research institutions working in forestry, forest governance, environmental studies, social sciences, gender studies, law, economics or related fields.
Institutions conducting forestry or forest governance-related research, teaching or academic programmes, or those seeking to strengthen gender equality and integrate gender perspectives into curricula and research, are eligible.
Geographic Eligibility
This call is restricted to specific countries. Eligible applicants include:
-
Public and private universities and research institutions in Lao PDR
-
Public and private universities and research institutions in Timor-Leste
-
Private universities and research institutions in Cambodia
Institutions based outside these countries are not eligible under this call.
Priority Applicants
Institutions with a lower research profile or those located near forest landscapes are strongly encouraged to apply.
Department-level proposals are fully eligible, provided they demonstrate institutional relevance and present a clear pathway for broader institutional impact.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed and scored by the Explore Secretariat and external experts, with final approval by Explore’s Programme Advisory Committee.
Selection will be based on the clarity of the gender equity problem analysis, relevance and feasibility of proposed activities, strength of capacity-building components, coherence of the theory of change and appropriateness of the indicative budget.
Application Requirements
Eligible institutions must complete the official application form and submit a full proposal using the provided template.
Applicants must also submit a combined CV file for all project team members. The designated project coordinator must have working-level proficiency in English, as all communication, coordination and reporting will be conducted in English.
Institutional Documentation
At the application stage, institutions must confirm their ability to provide required documentation, including registration or charter certificates, financial and administrative policies, tax certificates where applicable and audit reports for the past three years.
These documents will be required before contract signing.
Grant Management and Allowable Costs
Grant administration will be handled by a project coordinator or grant administrator from the selected institution.
Funding arrangements, reporting requirements and eligible expenses will be detailed in the partnership agreement. The grant may cover team member salaries, in line with institutional policies.
Final Note
The Explore Institutional Grants provide a strategic opportunity for eligible institutions to initiate meaningful, long-term change toward gender equity in higher education and research. Institutions with strong leadership commitment and a clear vision for sustainable institutional reform are encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit RECOFTC.
