Share-Net Bangladesh Young Researcher Fellowship 2020
Share-Net Bangladesh is back again with its Young Researchers Fellowship 2020.
This fellowship gives an opportunity to students to conduct research about important SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights) issues in Bangladesh. We were overwhelmed with the responses we received last year. The excellent quality of proposals we received made it very difficult for the secretariat to finally select the winners. We are excited to receive even more responses this year.
Winners of the Young Researcher’s Fellowship in 2019
1.Md. Arif Chowdhury and his team won the grant for his proposal on ‘MHM for women and girls with disabilities’.
Read: MHM for women and girls with disabilities in Dhaka
2. Sanjida Bintey Ali won the grant for her proposal on ‘Violence against transgenders in Dhaka’.
Read: Social inclusion of transgender community in urban services planning in DNCC area
The focus for this year is ‘Study on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescents and Youth in Bangladesh’. Share-Net Bangladesh will award a grant of Tk 200,000 each to two young researchers. To apply you must be a Bangladeshi national currently pursuing Masters or PhD. The objective of conducting this research is to improve elements of the adolescents and youth SRHR in Bangladesh. This study could result in recommendations, conclusions and innovative ideas for change.
Problem Analysis
Adolescents and young people in Bangladesh consistently lack access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. According to the International Human Rights, they have the same right to control over their bodies as adults, and need to receive information, counselling and access to the full range of modern contraceptive options. The adolescent SRH challenges are currently recognised through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, which aims to provide universal access to sexual and reproductive health services as well as incorporating such services into national strategies. According to UNICEF data, the number of adolescents in Bangladesh today is 36 million, making up 22% of the population. It is well known that adolescents show risky behaviour and therefore it is important to integrate adolescents and youth in the SRHR programmes in a participatory way so that they are able to take well-informed decisions and act in a responsible way. Study finds that due to lack of awareness adolescents and youth face challenges to meet their SRH services and understand their rights. According to Bangladesh government data, more than 50% of women who are in their 20s were married before their 18th birthday.
The Bangladesh government has brought out the National Adolescent Health Strategy 2017-30 prioritising four thematic areas of intervention: adolescent sexual and reproductive health, violence against adolescents, adolescent nutrition and mental health of adolescents. This is an excellent initiative from the government. Share-Net Bangladesh urges young researchers to come forward with their innovative research concepts and proposals that could lead to opportunities for improved SRHR and gender services to adolescents and youths.
Submission of Proposal
The deadline for submitting the proposal is 15th May 2020. The winner will be announced on 31st May 2020 via email. Please feel free to reach out to Kishore Kumer Basak via kishore@redorangecom.com if you have any questions. You are requested to ask your questions after you have carefully read the Terms of Reference. You must become a member of Share-Net Bangladesh to apply for this grant.
Become a member of Share-Net Bangladesh
Below are some of the frequently asked questions that may help you:
1.Do we have to select our own supervisor?
Ans: No. The research will be guided and supervised by the secretariat of Share-Net Bangladesh.
2. Is there any fixed sample size for this project?
Ans: There is no fixed sample size for this project. Sample size will depend on your proposed methodology.
3. After the selection can I change the title according to research need?
Ans: Title can also be proposed. It should be on the relevant topic.
5. What should I include in the dissemination plan?
Ans: This section will include how you want to disseminate your research work i.e. through journal publication, publishing working paper, conference/seminar presentation etc.
6. In “Population” point under research methods what should I describe?
Ans: This section will explain the sample population, sample size and explanation of choosing the sample size.
7. Will the proposal be accepted without a recommendation letter? As all universities are closed due to COVID-19 situation.
Ans: A recommendation letter is mandatory. We understand that this is a crisis situation. However, this recommendation letter could be sent through email. Supervisor can send recommendations using the university email id to you over email with all contact information. You can make it a pdf and attach it to your application.
