Deadline: 30 April 2024

Women doctoral students researching forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia have the opportunity to apply for partial scholarships of up USD 40,000 through EXPLORE, a dynamic forest landscape governance research network.

Funded by the Swedish International Development Agency and jointly hosted by RECOFTC and the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), EXPLORE scholarships are designed to advance gender equity, support individuals, and foster the development of more inclusive and diverse societies.

The network aims to support governments in using high-quality research to improve policies and institutional frameworks for inclusive and sustainable development of forest landscapes in Southeast Asia that contributes to climate and development goals. It also works to improve researchers’ capacity through grants to fund research.

I. Scholarship inclusions

• Up to USD 40,000 research funding over three years
• Scientific co-supervision by a RECOFTC or CIFOR-ICRAF senior expert
• Internship opportunities at partner institutions
• Participation in capacity-development programmes
• Requirement to publish in high-ranking international journals and present findings at EXPLORE-related events.

II. Eligibility

Applicants from any scientific discipline relevant to forest landscape governance are encouraged to apply. They must demonstrate a dedication to transboundary, interdisciplinary, and participatory action research while also integrating gender inclusion and human rights into their methodologies.

Eligible applicants must fulfil the following criteria.

• Be women PhD students under 32 years old (at the time of enrollment in the PhD program)
• Be a citizen of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar or Timor-Leste
• Be enrolled at a Southeast Asian university
• Comply with EXPLORE’s agreement and reporting requirements

III. Selection process

• EXPLORE employs a double-blind scientific process for scholarship selection, ensuring fairness and impartiality.
• The Secretariat screens applications for eligibility, followed by interviews and evaluations by a grant panel.
• The Explore Program Advisory Committee makes the final decisions.

IV. Selection criteria

• Applicant profile: Comprehensive details of education, research experience, motivation, and recommendations.
• Research plan quality: Assessment based on innovativeness, technical feasibility, gender equality integration, potential impact, and capacity-development strategies.
• Applicants are required to have proficient English skills for communication purposes.

V. How to Apply?

• Applicants need to apply using this online form
• You need a Google account to submit the application. Please register for one. It's free
• For more information, please email [email protected]  . You may also check out the call for applications on RECOFTC’s website here.

V. About EXPLORE

EXPLORE is dedicated to advancing knowledge on forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. EXPLORE collaborates with various stakeholders in the region. As the sole global research network focusing on forest landscape governance, EXPLORE utilises multidisciplinary and participatory approaches to support the Sustainable Development Goals and other commitments.

Prioritising gender equality and social inclusion, EXPLORE aims to ensure equal representation of women researchers and promotes cooperation across borders. And by providing research-based knowledge, EXPLORE helps Southeast Asian governments and communities manage diverse interests within forest landscapes, contributing to sustainable outcomes.