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Tips
Eligibility
Workshop
Application Process
Application Components
Technical Support
Fellowship Awards
OFAC Sanctions

Tips

• Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary review committee. Write in clear, intelligible prose suitable for an interested audience but minimize field-specific jargon.
  
• You are permitted five single-spaced pages to write about your project and research goals. We suggest you do not submit a proposal that is significantly shorter than five pages.
  
• Adhere to the application guidelines. Do not exceed the stated page counts for the proposal (5 single-spaced pages) or the bibliography (2 single-spaced pages).
  
• Be sure to allow yourself enough time to write carefully considered responses to each of the questions in the application. These questions will be included in the application evaluation.
  
• Submit your application in advance of the deadline.
  

Eligibility

Am I eligible to apply if I am not a citizen of a country in Latin America or the Caribbean?
Eligible applicants must be a citizen of one of the countries in which the IAF works, including the United States: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, and Uruguay.

Am I eligible to apply if I am a citizen of a country in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the United States while studying or working outside of the region?
Yes, but all research projects must focus on community-led development within Latin America and the Caribbean. All research must take place in and/or be about one (or more) of the countries in which the IAF works. 

Can I conduct research in a country for which I am not a citizen?
Yes. Applicants do not need to propose research in a country for which they are a citizen. However, all research must take place in and/or be about one (or more) of the countries in which the IAF works.

Can my research involve more than one country?
Yes. Research can be based on a single country or can involve a cross-country study. 

Can I conduct research in the United States or elsewhere outside of Latin America or the Caribbean?
The IAF Research Fellowship Program is designed to fund projects that propose to conduct primary research on community-led development within Latin America and the Caribbean. Applications that propose place-based research conducted in the United States or on US-based community-led development will not be considered. Applications that propose remote research (e.g., virtual interviews or survey administration) conducted in whole or in part from the United States or elsewhere outside of Latin America or the Caribbean will be permitted; however, applicants must demonstrate how their remote research will sufficiently answer the project’s main questions and address one or more of the IAF Research Fellowship Program’s research topics and frames. 

Is there an age requirement for applicants?
No. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity, skills, and experience to conduct a research project on community-led development. 

Is there a degree requirement?
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.

Am I eligible to apply if I am currently a master’s or PhD candidate?
Yes.

Does the IAF Research Fellowship Program have any disciplinary requirements with respect to university education?
No. The IAF Research Fellowship Program will accept proposals from applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, provided that the project responds to one of the research topics and frames outlined on the program website.

Does the IAF Research Fellowship Program have any regional or topical restrictions?
Yes. Projects funded by the IAF Research Fellowship Program must advance rigorous field-based research on actionable questions about community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean, in or about one of the countries in which the IAF works. Applicants must use one of three research topics and frames provided on the program website. 

Will the IAF Research Fellowship Program fund applications that propose research outside of Latin America and the Caribbean?
No.

I am already conducting research on one of the eligible topics. Can I use the IAF Research Fellowship Program funding to extend my research?
Yes. Applicants who are already conducting research on one of the eligible topics should discuss the progress already made and how the IAF Research Fellowship Program fellowship would allow further progress.

Can I take time off from the fellowship to take classes, teach, or work?
Yes. Fellows must complete the funded research within one year of receiving the fellowship, but how that research is structured within the fellowship year is up to the fellow.

Is there a minimum/maximum period of research time?
There is no minimum research time required by the IAF Research Fellowship Program; however, fellows must conclude the research as outlined in their proposal in a way that is sufficient to writing the required Fellowship Report and publishable note within six months of the conclusion of the fellowship year. The maximum research period is one year from the start of the fellowship.

Am I eligible to apply if I have previously received funding from an SSRC fellowship (for example, IDRF, DPDF, or DSD)?
Yes.

Are group projects eligible for the fellowship?
No. The IAF Research Fellowship Program only funds individual research.

Workshop

If I receive funding from the IAF Research Fellowship Program, do I have to attend the orientation workshop? I have a longstanding obligation that coincides with the dates of the orientation workshop.
Yes. If you are awarded funding, you must attend the orientation workshop. The orientation workshop will be held in June, at the start of the research year. If you know that you will be unable to be present at the orientation workshop, you should not apply to the IAF Research Fellowship Program.

Do I have to pay my own travel expenses to attend the orientation workshop?
No. If awarded a fellowship, your orientation workshop expenses (airfare, hotel, meals, and ground transportation) will be paid for by the program. SSRC staff will make travel arrangements.

What will I have to do to prepare for the orientation workshop?
Fellows will have to prepare a 10-minute presentation of their research project during the orientation workshop for feedback. They will also have to read abstracts of other fellows’ research projects and provide feedback during their presentations.

Application Process

How do I apply for the IAF Research Fellowship Program?
No paper applications are used in this application process. The application must be filled out online and can be accessed through the application portal. You will also use this portal to upload your research proposal and reference list.

Do I have to submit my application in English?
No. You may submit your application in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

Can I submit my application by fax or email?
No. Applications sent by fax or email will not be accepted. Applicants must use the application portal.

What is the deadline for the IAF Research Fellowship Program application?
Applications must be complete and submitted online before 9:00 pm EST (UTC-5) on December 3, 2024.

Do I need to complete the application all at once?
No. You may return to the application as many times as necessary until the application deadline. Be sure to save your work after you finish each section of the application. Once the application has been submitted, you will no longer be able to alter the information.

Do you have examples of proposals that have been awarded fellowships?
No. The IAF Research Fellowship Program does not provide examples of successful proposals.

Application Components

What are the application components?
In addition to the online application form, applicants are expected to submit a personal statement (1 page max), an actionable research statement (1 page max), a research proposal (5 pages max), and a bibliography (2 pages max).

What should be included in the proposal?
The proposal must include the following:

• Relevance. Clearly articulate the research question you will answer through this Fellowship and how it advances one of IAF’s Research Topics.
• Contribution. Describe the practical implications of the proposed research. In other words, how do you expect your research findings may be useful to community-led organizations, donors, and/or other stakeholders?
• Methods. Describe the methods you will use for field research, the type of data you will collect, how you will analyze these data, and steps you will take to ensure that the data and analysis are reliable. The IAF is open to a range of approaches and research designs including quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods; single-site, single-country, or comparative approaches. Explain why you have chosen the proposed approach for the given question.
• Work to date. If available, a brief description of any related research work done to date, noting any preliminary analysis informing the proposed research.

What should be included in a bibliography?
Your bibliography (2 pages max) should be a list of essential texts (e.g., books, journal articles, community-led organization publications) that inform and shape your research project. It does not need to include all publications that are relevant to your topic. If you cite a source in your proposal or in the application, be sure to include it in your bibliography. Bibliographies that do not adhere to the application guidelines (2 pages max) will not be considered. 

Should I include a budget in the proposal?
No. Do not include a budget in your proposal.

Do I need to submit a language evaluation?
No formal language evaluation is required for the IAF Research Fellowship Program. However, applicants will be asked to complete a self-evaluation for any language (Spanish, Portuguese, French, or English) used in research.

Can I submit photographs or charts with my application?
Yes, but any non-textual material must be included within the five-page limit.

Do I need to submit letters of affiliation with my application?
No. Do not submit letters of affiliation with your application.

Do I need to submit reference letters with my application?
No. Do not submit reference letters with your application.

Do I need to submit university transcripts with my application?
No. Do not submit transcripts with your application.

Are there formatting requirements for the research proposal and bibliography?
Yes. The research proposal cannot exceed five single-spaced pages, including footnotes, endnotes, and any non-textual materials, and must be in Times New Roman 12-point font type with one-inch margins on all sides. The bibliography must adhere to the same font and margin requirements and must be relevant to the proposed research. You may use whichever standard citation style you prefer (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago, or other standard styles) but you must be consistent in citation style across submitted documents. Please include page numbers on the research proposal and bibliography. Proposals not adhering to these guidelines will not be considered.

How will I know that my application is complete?
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email from the SSRC.

Technical Support — Proposal and Bibliography

My research proposal and/or bibliography adhered to the stated page limit in my word processing program, but when I converted it to a PDF file, it exceeded the page limit. Is this ok?
No. Your research proposal cannot exceed five single-spaced pages and your reference list cannot exceed two single-spaced pages.

Fellowship Awards

When will award announcements be made?
All applicants will be contacted about their status via email by February 2025.

What are the selection procedures?
Fellows will be selected by a multidisciplinary review committee convened by the IAF and including IAF staff.  Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of relevance, intellectual merit, the fit between research question and research design, feasibility, and the practical implications of the proposed research to the IAF, community organizations, policymakers, and/or funders.

How many awards are offered in a given year?
Ten awards will be offered each year.

What happens if my project is selected for funding?
You will be contacted via email by the SSRC with award acceptance instructions.

When does the IAF Research Fellowship Program begin?
The 2025 fellowship year will begin on June 1, 2025. Research must be concluded by May 31, 2026. Fellows will be required to attend an orientation workshop in Washington, DC in June 2025.

What is the award amount?
Fellows will receive USD $20,000.

What costs does the award cover?
The IAF Research Fellowship Program award will cover general research costs as determined by the fellow, including travel and living expenses. Travel will be subject to the Fly America Act.

Does the award include supplemental support for family members?
No.

I am applying for multiple grants. Should I be awarded funding from the IAF Research Fellowship Program, can I also accept funding from other sources?
Yes. Fellows are encouraged to seek additional support for their project as needed. Please note that fellows who receive additional funding will still need to adhere to all IAF Research Fellowship requirements.

Are there any reporting requirements for the fellowship?
Yes. Fellows are required to submit a Fellowship Report of 1,250 to 2,500 words, within six months of the expiration of the Fellowship Period, that clearly describes the research question, methods, findings, limitation, and implications for practice and/or policy. Fellows are additionally required to develop at least one short, well-crafted, publishable note or other communications piece for the IAF covering key findings and recommendations for local organizations and funders.

Do awards go directly to the fellows or are they channeled through a university or institution?
All awards are paid directly to the fellows.

Does the program offer support for visas, IRB clearances, or research travel?
No. Fellows are responsible for their own passport or visa applications and research clearances, as necessary. SSRC will provide a letter confirming your award for visa applications if requested. Fellows will be expected to make their own travel arrangements for research purposes, which will be subject to the Fly America Act. SSRC staff will make travel arrangements for attendance at the workshop in Washington, DC, in June 2025.

OFAC Sanctions FAQs

Who can apply for the IAF Research Fellowship Program?
We welcome applications from researchers who are citizens of one of the countries in which the IAF works, including the United States: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, and Uruguay, unless you are linked to countries and/or entities currently under sanctions or embargoes by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Citizens and residents of countries under (i) comprehensive OFAC sanctions/embargoes or (ii) non-comprehensive sanctions/embargoes that otherwise prohibit activities related to receiving a grant from a US-based institution (such as the transfer of funds), as well as entities and/or individuals (either directly or by association with an entity) who are subject to targeted OFAC sanctions/embargoes are ineligible to apply to the IAF Research Fellowship Program. 

How can I know if my country and/or institution is under sanctions? Can you confirm if my application is eligible before I apply?
OFAC does not keep a consolidated list of countries under sanction, so candidates must review the “Sanctions Programs and Country Information” page for information on specific OFAC sanctions and embargo programs as they might change over time. In addition, OFAC maintains a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List and other sanctions lists that can be consulted by anyone. If, after reviewing these resources, you believe you are a citizen/resident of a country under comprehensive sanctions/embargoes, or you or your institution is listed in one of the lists above, you should not apply to the IAF Research Fellowship Program. Unfortunately, IAF Research Fellowship Program staff cannot preemptively guarantee that your application will be eligible, so you should review these resources carefully before applying to avoid working on an application that will be deemed ineligible.