Request for Applications: Case Study Small Grant Programme (Malaysia)

The Case Study Small Grant Programme supports qualitative, non-quantitative research on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)–related societal challenges affecting left-behind communities in Malaysia. The programme offers RM6,000 grants to young Malaysian researchers to produce applied, community-based case studies that inform policy, civil society action, and Malaysia’s national SDG commitments.

Programme Overview

The Case Study Small Grant Programme is an initiative supporting in-depth qualitative social research on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)–related societal issues in Malaysia.

The programme is implemented by APPGM-SDG through the MySDG Centre for Social Inclusion and is grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s core principle of “leaving no one behind.”

Building on the successful completion of its inaugural cycle, the programme is now inviting applications for its next cycle, with a strong emphasis on community-based case studies that illuminate systemic and under-explored social challenges.

Purpose and Objectives of the Programme

The programme is designed to strengthen applied social research that can directly inform policy and practice in Malaysia.

Key objectives include:

• Advancing qualitative, non-quantitative social research methodologies

• Highlighting SDG-related social challenges faced by left-behind and marginalised communities

• Encouraging young scholars to produce rigorous, policy-relevant qualitative research

• Uncovering under-researched societal issues through deep-dive case studies

• Supporting government and civil society efforts to address persistent social challenges

• Contributing evidence and insights to Malaysia’s national SDG commitments

Key Research Themes and Priority Areas

The programme welcomes proposals across a wide range of SDG-related social issues, provided they are qualitative in nature and grounded in a specific Malaysian community or location.

Priority research themes include:

• Barriers and pathways to advancing environmental justice

• Obstacles and enabling factors for cooperative sector success

• Worker organisation, labour rights, and representation challenges

• Social issues faced by people with non-visible disabilities

• Nutrition-related social challenges and food security issues

Proposals on other relevant topics are also encouraged, particularly those aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s priority focus areas.

All studies must clearly demonstrate relevance to Malaysia’s SDG agenda and be applied to a defined community, sector, or locality within the country.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible Applicants

The programme is open to early-career Malaysian researchers who meet the following criteria:

• Malaysian citizens

• Postgraduate students or young researchers

• Have not yet obtained a doctoral (PhD) degree

• Aged 35 years or below at the time of application

• Demonstrate the capacity to conduct qualitative research in Malaysia

Joint Applications

• Joint applications of up to three co-researchers are permitted

• All co-applicants must individually meet the eligibility criteria

• The team must collectively demonstrate the skills and experience required to carry out the proposed research

Grant Amount and Duration

The Case Study Small Grant Programme provides modest but focused funding to support high-quality qualitative research.

Grant details include:

• Grant amount: RM6,000 per successful proposal

• Grant duration: Nine months, inclusive of research and paper writing

The grant is intended to support research-related expenses and enable timely completion of a publishable case study.

What the Programme Offers Beyond Funding

In addition to financial support, selected researchers gain access to a broader ecosystem of policy and practice engagement.

Participants benefit from:

• Access to APPGM-SDG’s data repository and research resources

• Opportunities to engage with parliamentarians, government agencies, and civil society organisations

• Interaction with local leaders, grassroots communities, and solution providers

• Platforms to publish and disseminate research with real-world impact

• Exposure to policy dialogues and stakeholder engagement processes

The programme is designed to bridge research, policy, and practice to generate actionable insights.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Applicants should prepare their submissions carefully to meet all programme requirements.

Step 1: Develop a qualitative research topic aligned with SDGs and relevant to a specific Malaysian community or location.

Step 2: Prepare a research proposal of no more than 2,000 words, excluding tables and references.

Step 3: Ensure the proposal includes all required sections:

• Topic introduction

• Significance to Malaysia’s SDG agenda

• Problem statement

• Research objectives

• Qualitative methodology

• Detailed budget table

• Gantt chart outlining the research timeline

Step 4: Write a brief biography of no more than 250 words, covering educational background, research interests, and experience.

Step 5: Submit the complete application by 11.59 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026.

Expectations of Successful Grantees

Selected applicants will be expected to actively engage throughout the grant period.

Grantee responsibilities include:

• Producing an 8,000 to 10,000-word qualitative research paper within nine months

• Participating in classes or seminars organised by APPGM-SDG

• Presenting research findings at seminars or conferences organised by APPGM-SDG

• Attending the official research paper launch event

Active participation is essential to maximise the programme’s impact and knowledge-sharing objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following issues, which may reduce the chances of selection:

• Submitting quantitative or mixed-method proposals instead of purely qualitative research

• Proposing topics without a clear link to SDGs or Malaysia’s development context

• Failing to ground the study in a specific community or location

• Incomplete proposals missing required sections

• Unrealistic timelines or poorly justified budgets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of research does the programme support?

The programme supports qualitative, non-quantitative social research focused on SDG-related societal issues in Malaysia.

How much funding does each project receive?

Each successful proposal receives a grant of RM6,000.

Who can apply for the grant?

Malaysian postgraduate students and young researchers aged 35 or below who have not obtained a doctoral degree are eligible.

Are joint research proposals allowed?

Yes. Up to three co-researchers may apply jointly, provided all meet the eligibility criteria.

How long is the grant period?

The grant duration is nine months, including the research and paper writing phase.

What is the required length of the final research paper?

Successful grantees must produce a research paper of 8,000 to 10,000 words.

When is the application deadline?

All proposals must be submitted by 11.59 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews by the end of March.

Conclusion

The Case Study Small Grant Programme offers a valuable opportunity for young Malaysian researchers to conduct impactful qualitative research on SDG-related social challenges affecting left-behind communities.

By combining targeted funding, access to policy stakeholders, and strong dissemination platforms, the programme supports evidence-based solutions that can inform national development strategies and improve social inclusion outcomes across Malaysia. Eligible researchers are encouraged to submit well-structured, community-grounded proposals before the 6 March 2026 deadline.