Apply for WHO Climate and SRH Research Grant — Up to $55,000 for Community-Based Projects

Are you part of a research team working at the intersection of climate change and public health? The World Health Organization (WHO), through its Human Reproduction Programme (HRP), is inviting applications for a global call for research proposals focused on climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH).

This opportunity supports research teams in low- and middle-income countries to generate community-driven evidence on how climate change impacts SRH outcomes. With funding of up to USD 55,000 per project, this call is designed to strengthen research capacity while addressing urgent global health challenges through participatory and interdisciplinary approaches.

About the Programme

This call for proposals focuses on understanding how climate-related events — such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures — affect key areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights. These include maternal health, gender-based violence, access to contraception, and abortion care.

Selected research teams will participate in a collaborative, cross-country research initiative. Rather than submitting a finalized protocol, applicants are asked to propose a research vision that demonstrates their approach, expertise, and connection to the communities they aim to study.

A central component of the programme is a Protocol Development Workshop, scheduled to take place in Geneva in July 2026. During this workshop, selected teams will co-design a unified research framework and methodology. Travel and accommodation costs for up to two team members will be covered by WHO.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a major global health challenge, yet its impact on sexual and reproductive health remains under-researched. This call aims to address critical evidence gaps while empowering local researchers and communities.

By supporting participatory, community-led research, the programme ensures that those most affected by climate change play an active role in shaping solutions. This approach not only improves research quality but also enhances policy relevance and real-world impact.

For research teams, this opportunity offers a pathway to contribute to global knowledge, influence policy, and strengthen long-term research capacity.

What Participants Will Gain

This opportunity provides both financial and institutional support to research teams working on critical global health issues.

Selected teams will receive up to USD 55,000 in research funding, which can be used to support personnel, community engagement activities, data collection, and dissemination efforts.

Beyond funding, participants will gain access to capacity-building resources, including training, technical guidance, and research tools provided by WHO. This support helps strengthen research design, implementation, and analysis capabilities.

Teams will also benefit from international collaboration, working alongside other selected research groups across different countries. This cross-country exchange allows for shared learning, comparative analysis, and broader research impact.

Another key benefit is access to WHO expertise and networks. Selected teams will receive guidance on ethics approval processes, data collection strategies, and dissemination, as well as connections to WHO country offices.

Additionally, the programme supports participatory research approaches, meaning community members are actively involved as co-researchers. This enhances the relevance and impact of the research while strengthening community engagement.

Who Can Apply

This call is open to research teams based in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those in priority countries identified by WHO.

Eligible applicants include:

• Academic and research institutions
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Community-based organizations and civil society groups
• Multi-institutional research consortia

The Principal Investigator and core research team must be based in an eligible country. While international collaboration is encouraged, high-income country partners cannot lead the project and may receive no more than 15% of the total grant.

Teams should demonstrate:

• Experience in SRH or climate-related research
• Expertise in participatory and mixed-methods approaches
• Strong community partnerships
• Capacity to conduct interdisciplinary research

Research Focus Areas

Applicants must select one of four priority research questions:

• Maternal health outcomes in the context of climate change
• Gender-based violence during climate-related events
• Access to contraception during climate shocks
• Access to abortion care in climate-affected settings

All proposals must apply a human rights-based and intersectional approach, considering how factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, and migration influence vulnerability.

Application Process and Deadline

Applicants must submit their proposals through the official online platform, including all required documents such as budget, CVs, and conflict of interest declarations.

Application Deadline: 12 April 2026 (23:59 GMT+1)

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Selected teams will be notified by 11 May 2026.

 Learn more and apply through the official WHO/HRP application platform.

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