The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (hereinafter “RWI”), Lund, Sweden, in collaboration with its academic cooperation partners under the Zimbabwe Human Rights Capacity Development Programme 2019-2022, is launching a call for research grants proposals. Grants under the Call are awarded to research projects relevant to the theme “10 Years of the Declaration of Rights in the Zimbabwean Constitution.” Academic faculty members and researchers from Zimbabwean universities, independent research centres, independent commissions and civil society organisations are eligible to apply both individually and jointly. Research projects must be carried out during the period 10 May – 3 October 2022 and result in a paper and short policy brief for presentation and publication. Financial support to RWI for the research grants is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The closing date for submitting a research grant proposal is 3 May 2022.
Call Objectives and Priority Areas of Research
The overall objective of this research grant initiative is to contribute to more informed and
inclusive human rights reform programmes in Zimbabwe, so that legislation, policies, practices
and decision-making increasingly reflect international standards and principles, as provided for in
the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution. Moreover, within the Programme, inclusion and equality are
given targeted, specific attention as cross-cutting priority issues. This Call aims to promote
increased availability and accessibility of high-quality human rights research products in support
of these objectives.
Given the preceding context, this year’s Call is open for research grant proposals relevant to the
theme “10 Years of the Declaration of Rights in the Zimbabwean Constitution”, whereby
research related to the following areas is encouraged:
- Role of the Declaration of Rights in reinforcing the implementation and further recognition of
international and regional human rights standards in Zimbabwe. - The manner in which the Declaration of Rights has been interpreted by the judiciary as well
as the jurisprudential advancement of constitutionally entrenched rights. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in protecting and further developing the scope of protection
of economic, social and cultural rights in Zimbabwe. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in protecting and further developing the scope of protection
of the right to health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, and
reproductive rights. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in protecting and further developing the scope of protection
of civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in balancing the protection and enjoyment of fundamental
rights and essential freedoms and the need to protect public health, public security, public
interest and the rights of others. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in protecting and further developing the scope of protection
of environmental rights and the negative effects of climate change. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in supporting inclusive economic development and poverty
eradication. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in shaping and developing customary law and practices
within the traditional systems in Zimbabwe’s dual legal system. - Role of the Declaration of Rights in advancing equality between men and women, and
eliminating discrimination of any kind, in particular against ethno-cultural, religious,
linguistic, and/or sexual minorities. - Role and mandate of different constitutional commissions, local governments and/or
municipalities in contributing to the realization of rights entrenched in the Declaration of
Rights; - Transitional provisions of the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution and the advancement of human
rights beyond the 10 years.
Moreover, linkages, when possible, with RWI’s thematic focus areas (Fair and Efficient Justice; Inclusive Societies; Economic Globalisation and Human Rights; and People on the Move) are encouraged (for a short description of the thematic focus areas, please see our What We Do page), as are joint applications of teams comprising academic faculty members and researchers from Zimbabwean universities together with researchers from independent research centres, independent commissions and/or civil society organisations, so as to enable research combining theory and practice. Applications by teams consisting of senior and junior scholars/researchers are also encouraged.
Eligibility
Academic faculty members and researchers from Zimbabwean universities, independent research
centres, independent commissions and civil society organisations are eligible to apply both
individually and jointly. Proposals must demonstrate necessary support by the applicant’s
dean/director (or equivalent).
Scope of Research Grants
Six research grant proposals (RWI reserves the right to to increase or decrease the number of research grants awarded based on the scope and content of and costs associated with the selected proposals and in light of available budgetary resources) will be awarded with grants. Grants will be offered to applicants wishing to conduct research and to engage in desk/field research within Zimbabwe.
Expected Outputs
Peer and mentorship support is offered to all research grant recipients throughout the research.
Grant recipients are requested to participate in an online research methodology workshop
expected to be taken place during the last two weeks of May 2022.
As a final output of the conducted research, each grant recipient required to produce and submit
an advanced draft of the paper (6000 to 10,000 words), together with a short policy brief (1500
words), no later than 3 October 2022. Grantees are expected to present and discuss their papers at
a two-day National Symposium on “10 Years of the Declaration of Rights in the Zimbabwean Constitution“, expected to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe on 31 October – 1 November 2022. Grantees are also expected to present and discuss their policy brief in a workshop that will be held immediately after the symposium, that is, on 2 November 2022. Grantees are expected to submit their final paper and short policy brief on or before 23 November 2022.
Costs Covered by the Research Grant
The amount of the grant will be decided by the Selection Committee in light of the supplied
simplified budget. In addition, the identified scope and needs of the research and other relevant
factors of the project will be taken into consideration. As a point of reference, the budgets for
individual research projects should not exceed USD 1000 and for group/team research projects
USD 3000.
With regard to attendance at the National Symposium and Policy Brief Workshop expected to be
held on 31 October – 2 November 2022 in Harare, all grant recipients who do not live in Harare
or its vicinity will be provided with compensation for transportation costs, as well as
accommodation and a fixed daily allowance, in accordance with standard rates applied by RWI.
Financial support to RWI for the research grants is provided by the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Application Procedure
Please attach and e-mail the following documents by 3 May 2022 to Moreblessing Mbire
(moreblessing.mbire@rwi.lu.se):
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
- Research proposal (800-1500 words) – A short description of the research to be conducted
so that it may be presented in the form of an advanced draft of a paper and short policy brief
at the national symposium in Harare on 31 October – 1 November 2022. The research proposal
should contain: (1) a brief description of the research problem addressed by the research
proposal in relation to the theme of the Call; (2) a short account of the main research
question(s) and method(s) that are planned to be used; (3) an explanation of how the research
is relevant to the overall theme of the Call: “10 Years of the Declaration of Rights in the
Zimbabwean Constitution”, and, as applicable, RWI’s thematic focus areas; (4) a description
of the novelty and necessity of the research; (5) the practical relevance of the research in light
of the overall objectives of the Call; and (6) an account of the feasibility of conducting and
finalising the research and submitting an advanced draft of a paper and short policy brief for
presentation at the national symposium. - Motivation letter (200-600 words) – A personal statement explaining your interest to human
rights (personally and/or professionally), why you should be chosen as a grant recipient and
what you hope to achieve through this initiative. - Research plan – Briefly outline when and where the different components of the research
project shall be carried out in relation to desk study, field research, study visits, etc. If the
intention is to come to Sweden as a visiting researcher clearly state so and account for which
two-week period you wish to stay during 10 May – 3 October 2022. - Simplified budget – Please provide a budget outlining each cost associated with carrying out
the research project and a rationale for each expenditure (e.g. travels and field research within
Zimbabwe or other SADC countries, relevant to the research project, study visits, materials, etc.). If the intention is to come to Sweden as a visiting researcher, no budget breakdown is required in this respect as RWI has already budgeted for said costs.
An email confirmation that your application has been received will be sent to all applicants. If you
have not received said confirmation within one or two business days please resend your
application until a confirmation is received.
Evaluation of Proposals
All research grant proposals will be evaluated by a Selection Committee comprised of RWI staff
having relevant research, human rights and contextual expertise. The following factors, among
others, will be taken into consideration when evaluating proposals: quality of the written proposal,
i.e. clarity, organisation and design; relevance and benefit in relation to the objectives and theme
of the Call; feasibility of the research project (scope, time, qualifications of applicant(s) and
budget, etc.); and potential for broader dissemination and impact to different relevant audiences
in Zimbabwe. Researchers/Scholars that did not previously benefit from these grants will be given
priority in the selection process, together with the assurance of gender balance among the grantees.
Decision of the Selection Committee is final.
Timeline
- Closing date for submitting a research grant proposal: 3 May 2022 (RWI reserves the right to extend the deadline if a sufficient number of applications has not been received. This will also entail an extension of the decision notification date. Should the just said be warranted all concerned parties will be duly notified via email and the Call updated.)
- Notification to applicants of the Selection Committee’s decision: on or before 10 May 2022
- Participation at the online research methodology workshop: Last two weeks of May 2022
- Submission of an advanced draft of the paper and short policy brief: on or before 3 October
2022 - Presentation of an advanced draft of the paper and short policy brief at the national
symposium: 31 October – 1 November 2022 - Presentation of the short policy brief at the policy brief workshop: 2 November 2022
- Submission of the final paper and short policy brief: 23 November 2022
Below is a PDF containing this call for applications and an overview of the RWI’s international cooperation, with a focus on Zimbabwe.