Deadline: July 31, 2025
Are you a young professional working on gender-based violence research or practice? Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025, a prestigious mentorship and capacity-building initiative designed to support early-career researchers and practitioners as they prepare to participate in SVRI Forum 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
This programme not only provides personalised mentorship but also offers a bursary to attend one of the leading global forums on violence prevention and response.
About the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025
The SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025 (YPP) is a structured mentorship programme created by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI). It supports young professionals (aged 35 or under) who are committed to contributing to the global knowledge base on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of gender-based violence.
For the SVRI Forum 2026, the YPP is introducing a brand-new pre-abstract mentorship phase. This innovation allows selected participants to submit a short concept (pre-abstract) before the official abstract call and receive professional feedback and guidance at an early stage.
Key Benefits of the Programme
Participants in the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025 can expect:
- Mentorship from global experts in GBV research and policy.
- Guided development of your abstract before and after the official abstract call.
- Coaching for public presentation skills in preparation for SVRI Forum 2026.
- Full bursary to attend SVRI Forum 2026 in Bangkok — even if your abstract is not accepted for presentation.
This mentorship extends across multiple stages, from concept to conference delivery, ensuring that you are fully supported in preparing a high-quality contribution to the Forum.
Who Should Apply?
To be eligible for the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025, applicants must:
- Be 35 years of age or younger (born in 1990 or later).
- Be working on research or practice related to violence against women, violence against children, or other gender-based violence themes.
- Be committed to submitting an abstract for SVRI Forum 2026.
- Not have previously received support through this Young Professionals Programme.
This is an excellent opportunity for first-time contributors to build capacity, network globally, and gain visibility in a high-level international setting.
Timeline and Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline (YPP) | 31 July 2025 (23:59 SAST) |
| Abstract Submission Opens | 4 August 2025 |
| Abstract Submission Closes | 30 January 2026 |
| Review Period | March – April 2026 |
| Notifications of Acceptance | June 2026 |
| SVRI Forum 2026 | 5 – 9 October 2026, Bangkok, Thailand |
How to Apply
To apply for the SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme 2025, you must:
- Prepare a short pre-abstract outlining your proposed research or work (approximately 1–2 paragraphs).
- Create or log in to your Oxford Abstracts profile.
- Submit your application and pre-abstract via the online platform.
Note: Email applications are not accepted.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The SVRI Forum is the world’s largest dedicated event for research on violence against women and other forms of gender-based violence. Participating in the Young Professionals Programme is a valuable career-building opportunity that fosters skills in research communication, abstract development, and global networking.
Need Help Preparing?
If you’re planning to apply but need help drafting or refining your pre-abstract or proposal:
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining and review.
Let us know if you’d like assistance writing a compelling pre-abstract or reviewing your draft before submission!
