GenSeM is happy to announce the opportunity for Early Career members to apply for funding of a sum of up to €2000 to conduct a small project to advance their research profile in the field of gender/sexuality in migration research.
The objective of the scheme is to support outstanding research by early career scholars (max 5 years from award of PhD, excluding career breaks), who are GenSeM members, to strengthen and develop their research profile by conducting a pilot project or a small project in the field of sexuality and gender in migration research. We especially welcome proposals that expand the candidate’s existing research or provide the foundations for a viable new research area in the field. Projects must start no later than October 1st, 2026 (unless otherwise agreed with the coordinators, after the award is confirmed)
At the end of the project, the awardee(s) will present the project and findings at a GenSeM Migration dialogue and write a non-academic publication (e.g. blog) about this to be published in a suitable outlet (e.g. IMISCOE webpage). The awardee(s) will benefit from GenSeM’s established social network to publicise the research and related outputs.
The proposals will be assessed by the GenSeM’s steering group following these criteria:
1. Significance (i.e., Does the project address an important issue in the field of gender/sexuality and migration? Is this clearly motivated? Is the study original and innovative, and is this clear in the application?)
2. Feasibility (i.e., Are the intended research activities well-described, relevant and feasible, given the timeframe? Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Are the resources clearly listed and justified?)
3. Potential for future research and funding (i.e., Does the proposed research show clear evidence of potential for future funding in migration research? Does the proposal have a clear and feasible plan for dissemination?)
The number of awards will depend on the type and quality of proposals received.
Eligibility criteria
- Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
- Has graduated in 2021 or later (or before, if taking a career break due to e.g. parental leave)
- Is member of the Gender and Sexuality in Migration research (GenSeM) standing committee at IMISCOE
- Please note that students, including PhD researchers, are not eligible
Activities that can be funded include
- Develop a project that feeds into and develops the applicant’s research profile
- Develop a pilot project to foreshadow research problems and questions, highlight gaps in data collection, and consider broader issues about research validity, ethics, and representation which will inform a future funding application.
- Conduct a follow-up study from their PhD research
- Re-analyse data from a previous research project(s) to underpin a proposal for a new study
Non-allowable expenses include (but are not limited to)
- Overhead costs
- Teaching buy-out
- Costs for travel and subsistence to national/international conferences and workshops
- Registration for conference attendance
- Organisation of seminars, workshops or similar at home institution
- Training activities
- Applications that only involve a series of seminars or conferences, whether held nationally or internationally, will not be considered
NOTE:
- In the application, it should be made clear if the applicant has access to research funds from their institution or not. If the applicant has access to funds, please specify if they have applied (or plan to apply) for funding from their home institution and if they have been successful.
- The funds will be only transferred to the awardee’s University, NOT their personal bank account. It is the awardee’s responsibility to clarify this with their host institute beforehand, incl. assessing any additional costs this may entail and budget appropriately.
- If applying for hiring staff, it is the responsibility of the awardee(s) to ensure that this is done in compliance with their University regulations and pay scales.
- Any empirical projects funded must be submitted for ethical approval to the awardee(s)’ University.
Deadlines and Application Procedure
Please complete the application form as PDF and send it to
If you have any queries, please contact us at