ILO Seed Grants in Switzerland 2021

The International Labour Organization is taking applications from qualified candidates for the ILO Seed Grants for Masters and PhD Student Researchers in Switzerland for the 2021/22 school session.

The RTA project will grant ten ILO Seed Grants for research from a range of fields on child labour, forced labour, and human trafficking matters. The project will offer seed grants up to a maximum of US$10,000 each for the length of 9 months. The project commencement date is within the first month of the grant date and contingent on funds availability and the authorization of extension of the RTA project by the Donor.

ILO and IOM are devoted to a diverse and all-encompassing workplace. Applications are especially welcomed from qualified applicants from the Global South, female applicants, and less represented populations in the research community.

The seed grants are structured to offer an entry point for scholars, early career researchers and also skilled researchers from a range of research fields – like, but not limited to, anthropology, child development, business, economics, public policy, health, sociology, psychology, gender studies, criminology, law, social work, and statistics – into demanding research of direct significance for policies relating to forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.

The ILO Seed Grants is aimed to assist researchers develop new studies to plug knowledge gaps and produce research appropriate for publication in academic reports or journals via reputable policy research institutions. Though, the planned objective of the grant-funded research is to reach outside the research community to influence policy. It is planned that the grants will also function as a beacon to draw new scholarship award and talent into the developing network of experts and interdisciplinary collaborators with a concentration on forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking studies.

It is planned that the grants will also function as a beacon to draw new scholarship award and talent into the developing network of experts and interdisciplinary collaborators with a concentration on forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking studies.

Worth of ILO Seed Grants

The ILO Seed Grants will offer up to a maximum of US$10,000 for each candidate for a period of 9 months.

Eligibility for ILO Seed Grants

  • Applications are especially welcomed from qualified applicants from the Global South, female applicants, and less represented populations in the research community.
  • However, the ideal candidate should either have a PhD degree or enrolled in a PhD program or master’s program.
  • S/he has to also be affiliated to a qualified host establishment, i.e. a university or Research Institute.

How to Apply for ILO Seed Grants

Candidates should also fill out the online application form in English language and forward the following credentials in one PDF document to [email protected] The subject of the email should be “RTA seed grant application, [Last name], [first name]”.

The complete package has to comprise a

  • cover letter recapping the candidate(s)’ experience and motivations;
  • comprehensive Curriculum Vitae comprising a list of publication (if any) for each candidate;
  • research plan of 3-5 pages detailing the goals of the work, the methodology and its significance in the field of forced labour, child labour, or human trafficking;
  • letter of recommendation from the intended supervisor (not needed for senior researchers);
  • Evidence of enrolment or affiliation to the school or research institution.

Research proposal components

  • Abstract: 250 words
  • Plainly outline the problem/significance of research/research question
  • Detailed explanation of planned research methodology
  • (For junior researchers): List supervisor(s) and give a short outline of their experience in the area of research.

For senior researchers

  • Explain how the research would align with the program of work at the research institution.
  • Come up with a timeline for research conclusion within 9 months.
  • A budget plan and outline for the proposed costs.

Selection Process

Applications that fulfil the eligibility conditions are afterwards subjected to a review process by the scientific panel formed by specialists and academics working on the issue of forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.

Application Deadline

Application deadline is on April 16, 2021, 16h (GMT + 1/in Geneva).

Visit here for more information and to apply

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