SFPRF accepting Applications for Changemakers in Family Planning Grants

Deadline: 17-Jun-2020

The Society of Family Planning Research Fund (SFPRF) is seeking applications for the Changemakers in Family Planning grant to build and support an inclusive, multidisciplinary, skilled, and well-connected community with a shared focus on family planning.

The aim of the Changemakers in Family Planning grant is to respond to institutionalized racism in the field of family planning by providing dedicated support for awardees to expand research skills and expertise.

Awardees will have the opportunity to spend 18 months honing research skills and interests. Expected deliverables at the end of the award period are the development of a full proposal for future research and completion of career development activities. Awardees will not be expected to conduct original research as part of this grant; rather, awardees will be granted support related to research interests, skills development, mentorship, and networking.

Specific Support Includes

Research
- Up to 20% salary support ($40,000) to develop a proposal for a pilot or small research project ready for submission to SFPRF or other funding agencies. Indirect costs are permitted up to 20% of the amount requested for salary support. Up to $10,000 to pay expenses directly related to participation in research skills development opportunities (eg, program fees, travel expenses), released upon approval of the scholar-identified opportunities.
Mentorship
- $6,000 to support mentorship contracts (scope of work defined by the mentee) with two mentors ($3,000 each), one scholar-identified (background in family planning not required) and one matched to the scholar by SFPRF and proposal reviewers, as well as support from SFPRF staff to define these scopes of work and administer the mentorship contracts.
Networking
- Complimentary membership to the Society of Family Planning (SFP) for two years during the award period (September 2020-2022).
- Complimentary registration, hotel, and travel to attend the 2020 and 2021 SFP Annual Meetings.
- Connections with the cohort of scholars who receive the grant this year, in addition to previous cohorts and future cohorts, if applicable.
- Private networking events designed to introduce scholars to potential funding sources for future research.

Eligibility Criteria

Grants are made to organizations on behalf of a named Principal Investigator.
A Principal Investigator need not be a current SFP member in order to apply.
Organizations receiving grants are limited, without exception, to nonprofit entities with tax-exempt status, such as academic institutions, research organizations, and community-based organizations. These grants are open to scholars who:
- self-identify as a person of color;
- have completed a terminal degree program within ten years of submitting an application;
- have received less than $250,000 to conduct family planning research as a Principal Investigator or have never served as a Principal Investigator for family planning research;
- reside in the US and plan to pursue a research career focused on US research (including territories of the US).

Review Criteria

Applicant (40%)
- Does the applicant demonstrate commitment to and passion for family planning research?
- Does the applicant bring unique expertise, skills, and personal experience that would enrich the field of family planning research? SFPRF is particularly interested in applicants who are housed at institutions with limited track records of supporting family planning research, work in geographic areas underrepresented in SFP’s current membership, and represent diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
Proposed body of research (30%)
- Does the applicant have a clear vision for the body of research they are seeking to develop?
- Is the applicant’s proposed body of research aligned with the vision of just and equitable abortion and contraception informed by science?
- Is the applicant well-positioned to develop and lead the proposed body of research?
Impact of award (30%)
- Considering the applicant’s research career stage and previous or current career development support, will receipt of this award significantly impact the development of the applicant’s research career?
- Does the applicant present a clear and thoughtful career development plan?