EGEN Research Prize 2026: Win Up to $3,000 for Cutting-Edge Research on Gender and Politics

The EGEN Research Prize 2026, presented by EGEN in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, is now accepting applications from graduate students and very early career scholars conducting innovative empirical research on gender and politics.

The research prize is designed to recognize and encourage emerging scholars producing high-quality, original research that advances understanding of gender and political issues. The organisers support empirical scholarship across a wide range of methodological approaches and academic subfields, with particular interest in developing research in comparative politics and international relations.

Selected researchers will receive financial awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, while several additional applicants will receive $500 honorable mentions. Winners will also receive an opportunity to be matched with a mentor from the EGEN executive board for the following year.

About the EGEN Research Prize

The EGEN Research Prize is part of EGEN’s efforts to support and recognize junior scholars working on important questions surrounding gender and politics.

The prize focuses on empirical gender scholarship, meaning research that uses evidence and systematic research approaches to examine political questions related to gender.

The organisers welcome research across different methodological approaches and subfields rather than limiting applicants to one particular research method.

This makes the prize potentially relevant to researchers working with:

• Quantitative research
• Qualitative research
• Mixed-method research
• Comparative research
• International relations research
• Political science research
• Other empirical approaches to studying gender and politics

The organisers are particularly interested in encouraging emerging work in comparative politics and international relations.

EGEN Research Prize 2026 Awards

Successful applicants can receive one of several financial prizes.

Main Research Prizes

Several selected researchers will receive awards ranging from:

$1,000 to $3,000

The exact amount awarded may vary among the selected prize recipients.

Honorable Mentions

In addition to the main prizes, several applicants will receive:

$500 honorable mentions

These awards provide additional recognition for promising research that demonstrates quality, innovation and relevance to the field.

Mentorship Opportunity for Winners

One of the notable benefits of the EGEN Research Prize is that winners are not only recognized financially.

Prize winners will also be matched with a mentor from the EGEN executive board for the coming year.

This provides an opportunity for emerging scholars to receive guidance and build a professional relationship with an established member of the EGEN leadership network.

For graduate students and very early career researchers, mentorship can be valuable for developing research ideas, strengthening academic work and navigating the early stages of an academic career.

Research Areas of Interest

The 2026 prize focuses on gender and politics.

Applicants should therefore submit research that makes a meaningful contribution to understanding the relationship between gender and political processes, institutions, behaviour, outcomes or international affairs.

The organisers support research across methodological approaches and subfields.

However, particular interest is placed on research that can help incubate emerging scholarship in:

Comparative Politics

Research may examine political processes and gender-related questions across countries, political systems or societies.

International Relations

Research may explore gender within international political institutions, global political processes, international security, diplomacy, conflict, foreign policy or other areas of international relations.

Applicants should ensure that their research clearly demonstrates its relevance to gender and politics.

Who Can Apply?

The EGEN Research Prize is intended specifically for:

• Graduate students
• Very early career scholars

The opportunity is therefore aimed at researchers who are still in the early stages of their academic careers rather than established senior academics.

Graduate students should provide their advisor’s contact information as part of the application process.

APPLY HERE

Coauthored Research

Coauthored work is eligible for consideration.

However, there is an important condition:

Every co-author must also be eligible for the prize.

Applicants submitting coauthored research should therefore ensure that all individuals listed as co-authors meet the eligibility requirements for graduate students or very early career scholars.

Original Research and AI Requirement

The submitted work must be original.

The organisers specifically state that submissions must not be generated by AI.

Applicants should therefore submit their own original research and writing and ensure that their work complies with the prize’s requirements concerning originality and authorship.

What Applicants Must Submit

Applicants are required to submit several materials as part of the 2026 application.

1. Application Form

Applicants must complete the official EGEN Research Prize application form.

The application form collects the information required for consideration and also asks applicants to identify potential mentors.

2. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must provide their CV as a PDF.

The file should be named:

lastname_firstname_CV.pdf

Applicants should ensure that the CV clearly presents their academic background, research experience, publications and other relevant scholarly achievements.

3. Anonymized Writing Sample

Applicants must submit an anonymized version of their most polished piece of writing.

The writing sample must be provided as a PDF and should be named:

lastname_firstname_writing sample.pdf

The sample should be anonymized, meaning identifying information should be removed where appropriate so that the research can be evaluated without unnecessary identifying details.

Applicants should choose a piece of work that best demonstrates the quality of their research, writing and analytical abilities.

4. Advisor Contact Information

Graduate students must provide their advisor’s contact information.

This information is entered directly into the application form.

How the Documents Are Submitted

There are two different submission processes that applicants need to pay attention to.

The application form is completed online, while the CV and writing sample are uploaded separately through a Dropbox file request.

Applicants must therefore make sure they complete both parts of the submission process.

The application form asks applicants to confirm that they have uploaded both required documents.

Failure to complete the document-upload portion could result in an incomplete application.

Potential Mentors

The application form also asks applicants to identify three potential mentors from the EGEN executive board, either past or present.

Applicants should therefore review the EGEN executive board and select three potential mentors whose academic interests or expertise are relevant to their research.

Choosing appropriate mentors can help demonstrate that the applicant has considered how mentorship could support the development of their research and academic career.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2026 EGEN Research Prize is:

15 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Applicants should submit all required materials before the deadline and should not wait until the final hours to upload their documents.

Submission Language

All submissions must be made in:

English

Applicants should ensure that their application materials and submitted writing sample meet this language requirement.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Complete the official EGEN Research Prize application form.
2. Prepare a current CV in PDF format.
3. Name the CV according to the required format: lastname_firstname_CV.pdf.
4. Select your most polished research or writing work.
5. Anonymize the writing sample.
6. Save the writing sample as a PDF.
7. Name it according to the required format: lastname_firstname_writing sample.pdf.
8. Upload both the CV and anonymized writing sample through the designated Dropbox file request.
9. Confirm in the application form that both documents have been uploaded.
10. Graduate students should provide their advisor’s contact information.
11. Identify three potential mentors from the EGEN executive board, past or present.
12. Submit the completed application before 15 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Visit HERE to learn more about the EGEN Research Prize 2026

Important Application Requirements

Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully review the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a graduate student or very early career scholar.
• The research must focus on gender and politics.
• Empirical research is encouraged.
• Multiple methodological approaches and subfields are supported.
• Comparative politics and international relations research is particularly encouraged.
• Submissions must be in English.
• The work must be original and must not be generated by AI.
• Coauthored work is permitted only when every co-author is eligible.
• Graduate students must provide advisor contact information.
• A CV must be submitted as a PDF.
• An anonymized writing sample must be submitted as a PDF.
• The CV and writing sample must be uploaded through the specified Dropbox file request.
• Applicants must identify three potential mentors from the EGEN executive board.
• The application must be submitted by the stated deadline.

Why Researchers Should Consider Applying

The EGEN Research Prize offers more than financial recognition.

For emerging scholars, receiving a research prize can provide recognition for their academic work while also creating opportunities to develop professional connections within the field.

The combination of financial awards, academic recognition and mentorship makes the opportunity particularly relevant to graduate students and researchers at the beginning of their careers.

The prize can also provide encouragement for scholars developing innovative research on gender and politics, particularly those working in comparative politics and international relations.

Conclusion

The 2026 EGEN Research Prize provides an opportunity for graduate students and very early career scholars to gain recognition and financial support for innovative research on gender and politics.

With several awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, additional $500 honorable mentions, and a mentorship opportunity with members of the EGEN executive board, the prize offers both financial and professional-development value to emerging researchers.

Applicants should ensure that their research aligns with the focus on gender and politics, carefully prepare their CV and anonymized writing sample, follow the required file-naming and submission procedures, and identify three potential EGEN mentors.

For more global grants, scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, conferences, competitions, and other career opportunities for young people, visit the Opportunities for Youth (OFY) website at www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.