Call for Research Fellowships on Empowering Academic Freedom

The Research Fellowships on Empowering Academic Freedom in Southeast Asia 2026 invites early-career researchers and advocates to conduct research, receive expert mentorship, and engage in peer learning to strengthen academic freedom across Southeast Asia. The fellowship supports evidence-based research that informs policy recommendations and promotes the protection of academic spaces in the region.

About the Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to support early-career researchers and advocates working on issues related to academic freedom in Southeast Asia. It combines research funding, expert mentorship, peer exchange, and policy engagement to strengthen evidence-based approaches for protecting academic freedom.

The programme responds to increasing challenges faced by academics and students in the region, including restrictions on teaching, research, publication, freedom of expression, surveillance, administrative sanctions, and criminalisation of academic dissent.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen academic freedom across Southeast Asia.
• Support high-quality, evidence-based research.
• Develop practical policy recommendations.
• Build regional research networks through mentorship and peer learning.
• Promote critical knowledge production and academic independence.
• Enhance collaboration among researchers and advocates.
• Develop tools and resources that improve understanding and protection of academic freedom.

Research Themes

Applicants must submit proposals under one of the following themes:

Theme 1: Neoliberal Higher Education and Its Impacts on Academic Freedom

This theme examines how neoliberal higher education policies influence:

• Academic integrity
• Institutional independence
• Academic labour conditions
• University governance
• Freedom in teaching and research
• Knowledge production

Theme 2: Developing Regional Indicators for Academic Freedom

Research under this theme focuses on:

• Designing context-sensitive indicators
• Monitoring academic freedom
• Developing regional assessment frameworks
• Measuring institutional autonomy
• Creating evidence-based monitoring mechanisms

Theme 3: Participatory Action Research for Training Modules on Academic Freedom

This theme supports collaborative research to:

• Develop training modules
• Create educational materials
• Test learning resources
• Promote participatory research methods
• Strengthen awareness of academic freedom

Funding Information

Funding depends on the selected research theme.

Theme 1

• Grant amount: USD 12,000
• Duration: 10 months
• Individual or team applications accepted

Theme 2

• Grant amount: USD 12,000
• Duration: 10 months
• Individual or team applications accepted

Theme 3

• Grant amount: USD 15,000
• Duration: 12 months
• Team applications only
• Teams must consist of at least three members

Eligible Use of Fellowship Funds

Funding may be used for:

• Researcher allowances
• Research expenses
• Fieldwork
• Travel costs
• Research assistants
• Surveys
• Interviews
• Data collection
• Data acquisition
• Transcription services
• Other research-related expenses

Who Is Eligible?

Individual Applicants

Applicants must:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Have three to five years of relevant research experience.
• Have a current affiliation with:
  • A higher education institution
  • A research organisation
  • A professional association
• Demonstrate an interest in:
  • Academic freedom
  • Higher education
  • Human rights
  • Related policy issues in Southeast Asia

Team Applicants

Research teams must:

• Include three to five members.
• Meet the required academic and research qualifications.
• Include members with relevant expertise.

Teams may also include:

• PhD students
• Master’s students
• Junior researchers with fewer than three years of research experience

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have working proficiency in English.
• Be legally able to receive fellowship funds in their country of residence.
• Be responsible for any applicable tax or reporting obligations.
• Conduct research related to Southeast Asia.

Priority will be given to researchers who are from or currently based in Southeast Asia.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Research funding
• Expert mentorship
• Peer-learning opportunities
• Regional networking
• Collaborative exchange activities
• Support in developing policy recommendations
• Opportunities to contribute to regional discussions on academic freedom

Why This Fellowship Matters

Academic freedom is essential for independent research, quality education, innovation, and democratic societies.

Across Southeast Asia, universities and researchers increasingly face challenges such as:

• Restrictions on research
• Limits on freedom of expression
• Surveillance
• Administrative sanctions
• Criminalisation of dissent
• Constraints on publication

This fellowship supports researchers in producing evidence that can strengthen institutional policies, improve academic protections, and encourage open knowledge creation throughout the region.

How the Fellowship Works

Selected fellows will participate in a structured programme over 10–12 months, which includes:

1. Conducting an approved research project.
2. Receiving guidance from expert mentors.
3. Participating in peer exchange activities.
4. Collaborating with other fellows.
5. Developing evidence-based policy proposals.
6. Producing research outputs relevant to academic freedom.
7. Sharing research findings with stakeholders.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the fellowship themes.
2. Select the most suitable research theme.
3. Prepare a research proposal aligned with the chosen theme.
4. Confirm eligibility requirements.
5. Gather supporting academic and institutional documents.
6. Form a research team if applying under Theme 3.
7. Submit the completed application before the official deadline.

Application Tips

• Choose a research topic with clear regional relevance.
• Demonstrate how your research addresses current academic freedom challenges.
• Include a practical and achievable research methodology.
• Explain the expected policy impact.
• Highlight previous research experience.
• Build a multidisciplinary team for collaborative projects.
• Clearly define research objectives and expected outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Selecting a project outside the fellowship themes.
• Submitting incomplete research proposals.
• Failing to demonstrate relevant research experience.
• Ignoring eligibility requirements for team composition.
• Providing unclear research methods.
• Missing required institutional affiliations.
• Overlooking legal requirements for receiving fellowship funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Early-career researchers and advocates with at least a Master’s degree and relevant research experience. Team applications are also accepted under specified themes.

How many fellowships will be awarded?

The programme will support six research fellows or fellowship projects.

How much funding is available?

Funding ranges from USD 12,000 to USD 15,000, depending on the research theme.

Can research teams apply?

Yes. Team applications are accepted for Themes 1 and 2, while Theme 3 requires research teams consisting of at least three members.

What expenses can the fellowship cover?

Funding may support researcher allowances, fieldwork, travel, research assistants, surveys, interviews, transcription, and other research-related costs.

Is English required?

Yes. Applicants must have working proficiency in English, although research activities may be conducted in local languages.

Who receives priority during selection?

Priority is given to researchers who are from or currently based in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

The Research Fellowships on Empowering Academic Freedom in Southeast Asia 2026 provides an important opportunity for early-career researchers and advocates to contribute to evidence-based solutions that strengthen academic freedom across the region. Through funding, mentorship, collaborative learning, and policy engagement, the fellowship enables participants to produce impactful research while helping shape a more open, independent, and resilient higher education environment in Southeast Asia.