Call for Entries: CIP Fellowship Programme

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The CIP Fellowship Programme supports emerging researchers with disabilities from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to strengthen research and social policy skills in disability inclusion. The fellowship focuses on building capacity in disability data, social protection, inclusive budgeting, care systems, and independent living while connecting fellows to global disability rights and policy networks.

Selected fellows receive a 12-month stipend of USD 1,000 per month, research and training support of up to USD 2,000, and access to mentorship, training, and global professional networks. The programme prioritizes early-career researchers with disabilities who are engaged in disability advocacy and social policy development.

Programme Overview

The CIP Fellowship Programme is designed to strengthen the next generation of disability-inclusive researchers and policy practitioners.

It aims to support individuals with disabilities who are working in or entering the fields of:

• Social policy research
• Disability studies
• Inclusive development
• Data-driven policy analysis
• Advocacy and disability rights

The programme combines financial support, mentorship, training, and global networking opportunities to build long-term research capacity in the Global South.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship seeks to:

• Strengthen research capacity among emerging researchers with disabilities.
• Support evidence-based disability policy development.
• Promote inclusion in global policy and academic discourse.
• Advance the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
• Improve access to disability-related data and research.
• Support locally grounded, context-specific research.
• Build leadership within disability rights movements.
• Foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Key Focus Areas

Disability Data and Evidence Generation

The programme supports research that improves the quality and availability of disability-related data.

This includes:

• Quantitative disability data collection
• Statistical analysis for inclusion
• Data-driven policy research
• Measurement of disability outcomes
• Evidence-based decision-making tools

Social Protection and Inclusion

Fellows may work on research related to inclusive social systems, including:

• Disability-inclusive social protection systems
• Welfare policy analysis
• Poverty reduction strategies
• Access to public services
• Equity in resource allocation

Care and Support Systems

The fellowship supports research on care systems that enable independent living and inclusion.

Focus areas include:

• Community-based care systems
• Formal and informal caregiving models
• Support services for persons with disabilities
• Accessibility of care infrastructure

Inclusive Budgeting and Policy

The programme promotes research into how public resources are allocated for disability inclusion.

Key areas include:

• Disability-inclusive budgeting
• Fiscal policy analysis
• Government spending evaluation
• Policy implementation monitoring

Independent Living and Rights-Based Approaches

Research may focus on enabling independent living for persons with disabilities through:

• Accessibility and inclusion frameworks
• Rights-based policy implementation
• Community participation models
• Removal of structural barriers

Programme Structure and Support

Financial Support

Selected fellows receive:

• Monthly stipend: USD 1,000 for 12 months
• Research support grant: Up to USD 2,000

Funding can be used for:

• Research activities
• Conference participation
• Training and skill development
• Fieldwork and data collection
• Accessibility-related needs

Reasonable Accommodation

The programme provides full support for accessibility needs, including:

• Assistive technologies
• Communication support
• Sign language interpretation
• Disability-related accommodations

Training and Capacity Building

Fellows participate in a structured online training curriculum delivered by leading researchers and experts.

Training includes:

• Research methodology
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Policy analysis techniques
• Disability inclusion frameworks
• Academic writing and dissemination
• Ethical research practices

Mentorship and Professional Development

Each fellow receives individual mentorship to support their academic and professional growth.

Mentorship includes:

• Guidance on research design
• Feedback on ongoing projects
• Career development support
• Integration into global research networks
• Exposure to international policy discussions

Global Engagement and Networking

The programme connects fellows to international disability rights and policy communities.

Opportunities include:

• Participation in CIP research projects
• Engagement with global disability networks
• Exposure to UN CRPD-aligned policy discussions
• Collaboration with international researchers
• Attendance at conferences and policy forums

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a person with a disability.
• Be based in a low- or middle-income country (Global South).
• Be engaged or interested in disability research or social policy.
• Be part of the disability rights or advocacy movement.
• Hold at least an undergraduate degree.
• Have basic research skills.
• Demonstrate motivation to develop research capacity.

Language Requirements

• Strong written and spoken English is required.
• For sign language users, spoken English is not required.
• Interpretation support will be provided where needed.

Target Applicant Profile

The programme is designed for:

• Early-career researchers with disabilities.
• Emerging academics in social policy or disability studies.
• Disability rights advocates transitioning into research.
• Individuals with some research experience but not senior-level researchers.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants are not eligible:

• Senior or highly established researchers.
• Individuals with extensive UN agency experience.
• Applicants working outside disability-related fields.
• Individuals from countries under OFAC restrictions, including:
  • North Korea
  • Iran
  • Cuba
  • Syria
  • Russia

Why This Fellowship Matters

The CIP Fellowship Programme addresses critical gaps in disability-inclusive research by:

• Increasing representation of researchers with disabilities.
• Strengthening data-driven disability policy development.
• Promoting inclusion in global research systems.
• Supporting locally grounded knowledge production.
• Building leadership within disability movements.

It ensures that disability research is informed by lived experience and context-specific evidence from the Global South.

How the Fellowship Works

Step 1: Application Submission

Eligible candidates submit applications demonstrating:

• Disability identity
• Research interest and experience
• Academic background
• Motivation and policy interest

Step 2: Selection Process

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Research potential
• Commitment to disability inclusion
• Academic and analytical skills
• Alignment with programme goals

Step 3: Fellowship Placement

Selected fellows are placed into the programme and assigned:

• Mentors
• Training modules
• Research opportunities

Step 4: Research and Training Phase

Over 12 months, fellows:

• Conduct research projects
• Participate in training
• Receive mentorship
• Engage in policy discussions

Step 5: Dissemination and Networking

Fellows share findings through:

• Publications
• Policy engagement
• Conferences
• CIP research platforms

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

Research Potential

• Ability to conduct structured research
• Analytical and methodological skills
• Clarity of research interests

Commitment to Disability Inclusion

• Engagement with disability rights
• Alignment with CRPD principles
• Community involvement

Academic Background

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification
• Basic research training or experience

Motivation and Development Potential

• Commitment to building research capacity
• Long-term career goals in policy or research

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve competitiveness:

• Clearly describe your lived experience and perspective.
• Link your research interests to disability inclusion.
• Demonstrate basic research understanding.
• Highlight community involvement in disability advocacy.
• Show commitment to long-term policy impact.
• Propose realistic and context-relevant research ideas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting applications without disability eligibility.
• Lack of clarity on research interests.
• Weak connection to disability policy or inclusion.
• Overly advanced or senior-level academic positioning.
• Ignoring language or documentation requirements.
• Proposing unrelated research topics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the CIP Fellowship Programme?

It is a 12-month fellowship that supports emerging researchers with disabilities from low- and middle-income countries to strengthen research and policy skills in disability inclusion.

How much funding is provided?

Fellows receive a monthly stipend of USD 1,000 plus up to USD 2,000 for research, training, or conference participation.

Who can apply?

Persons with disabilities from LMICs or the Global South who are early-career researchers or emerging practitioners in disability policy or research.

Is prior research experience required?

Yes, basic research skills are required, but the programme is designed for early-career, not senior-level researchers.

Does the programme support accessibility needs?

Yes, reasonable accommodations such as interpretation and assistive technologies are fully supported.

What topics can fellows research?

Topics include disability data, social protection, inclusive budgeting, care systems, independent living, and disability policy analysis.

Who is not eligible?

Senior researchers, non-disability-focused applicants, individuals from OFAC-restricted countries, and highly established UN agency professionals are not eligible.

Conclusion

The CIP Fellowship Programme provides a comprehensive pathway for emerging researchers with disabilities to develop advanced skills in social policy and disability inclusion research. Through financial support, mentorship, training, and global engagement, the programme empowers fellows to generate meaningful evidence rooted in lived experience and contribute to global disability rights and inclusive policy development aligned with the CRPD.

For more information, visit CIP.