Q&A

Q&A: RTA Fellowships and Seed Grants

The ILO project “From Research to Action”, in collaboration with IOM, will award 3 research fellowships and 10 seed grants.

News | 29 March 2021
The ILO project “From Research to Action: Using Knowledge to Accelerate Progress in the Elimination of Child Labor and Forced Labor” (RTA), in collaboration with IOM and with support from USDOL, will award 3 research fellowships and 10 seed grants.

The application deadline is April 16 at 4 pm (GMT+1). We are excited to review your applications!

We held two Q&A sessions on March 25 and 26 to provide information on proposal writing and clarify some common questions. You can find the presentation, common questions, and recordings in this page.

Common questions

The most common questions are about the eligibility criteria and proposal.
 

    Eligibility

    Check out the common questions
    1. Who qualifies as junior / senior researchers?
    Junior Researchers refer to students (PhD / master’s) and PhD degree holders at the start of their research careers (e.g. postdocs, junior faculty member). They are engaged in advanced, but not yet fully independent research, either in the academic, public, or private sector.
    Senior Researchers refer to highly experienced researchers. They conduct independent research, or they lead a research team. They have the necessary experience to supervise a junior researcher.

    2. What are the criteria to define eligible university or research institutions?
    Any public or private research institutes (university, research institute or centre) is eligible as long as the institution conducts and publishes research.

    3. Is an NGO considered an eligible institution?
    No. The principal applicant needs to be a student / researcher affiliated with a university / research institute.

    4. I am about to graduate. Do I need to have a university-affiliation for the full period of fellowship / seed grant?
    Only if your supervisor can supervise throughout the period of your seed grant project.

    5. Do the supervisor and I need to be affiliated with the same institution?
    No.

    6. Can the supervisor be based at a research department or NGO?
    Yes, as far as the supervisor can assist and support you throughout the award period.

    7. Do medical school students qualify as PhD students?
    To be eligible for both awards, you / the principal applicant need to have a PhD degree, or enrol in a PhD or master’s program. But we welcome proposals from researchers from different disciplines!

    Proposal

    Check out the common questions
    1. What are the priority research areas?
    We have 8 priority research areas (see p. 5) stemming from the first phase of a global research agenda consultation.

    2. Do I need to cover all three topics? (child labour, forced labour, human trafficking)
    No. The research has to focus on at least one of the topics.

    3. Is the award for US-based research only?
    No, the seed grants and fellowships have a global focus.

    4. Any specific criteria for the budget?
    For the seed grant, the budget is intended to support the research activities and dissemination. It is important to align it with the activities listed in the workplan.
    For the fellowship, the budget will finance your time to carry out the research activities.

    5. What constitutes as a ‘proof of enrolment’?
    It can be a letter from your University or institution of affiliation, from your supervisor / department head with an institution letterhead, or from HR.

    6. Can non peer-reviewed research count as publications?
    There is not a limitation on the type of publication. Please specify that they are reports.

    Multiple applications, timeline and other

    Check out the common questions
    1. I am eligible for both fellowship and seed grant. Can I apply for both with the same proposal?
    No. The proposals have to be different due to different levels of commitment.

    2. When will I know the results, and when am I expected to start?
    We will inform the selected applicants around May / June. The project should start no later than June / July.

    3. Can I apply for the seed grant with other researchers?
    Yes, you can apply with other researchers as long as you have a supervisor, or the main applicant is a senior researcher.

    4. Is the award compatible with other income?
    The selected candidate to the seed grant will be issued with an external collaborator contract. Please check with the administrators of your university / research institute.

Recorded session

Recorded session on Friday March 26