The Afghanistan Research Initiative (ARI) is a programme of the University of Central Asia (UCA), jointly supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). The programme is implemented by UCA through its Graduate School of Development Afghanistan Research Initiative (GSD ARI).

Established following the collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021, GSD ARI seeks to sustain research capacity on Afghanistan, support students and scholars, foster collaboration among researchers, and promote the production and dissemination of independent research relevant to Afghanistan's development and future.

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements for each funding stream before applying.

ARI welcomes proposals addressing one or more of the following thematic areas:

• Economic development, including livelihoods, poverty, labor markets, private sector development, entrepreneurship, finance, and economic resilience.
• Regional integration and sustainable trade, including regional cooperation, connectivity, trade, transportation, and economic corridors.
• Climate change, natural resources and environmental sustainability, including agriculture, water, energy, mining, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
• Governance, public policy and institutions, including public administration, service delivery, accountability, peacebuilding and state-society relations.
• Society, migration and inclusion, including education, health, gender, displacement, migration, demographic change, and social inclusion.
• Culture, history and heritage, including identity, languages, cultural heritage, religion, literature and historical research that contributes to understanding social cohesion, governance, development, or public policy in Afghanistan.

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:

• Relevance to ARI's thematic priorities
• Originality and significance of the application (research, fellowship and doctoral support)
• Quality and rigor of the research methodology
• Feasibility of the proposed work plan
• Applicant's qualifications and research experience
• Potential academic, policy and societal impact

Purpose

ARI particularly encourages collaborative research that strengthens links between researchers based in Afghanistan and those working internationally. Such partnerships are expected to enhance knowledge exchange, strengthen research capacity, and promote diverse perspectives while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.

Grant Support

• Duration: 12 months
• Funding: Up to USD 20,000
• Number of awards: Subject to available funding.

1.     Eligibility

Applicants must:

• hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline;
• be affiliated with or formally associated with a recognized university or established research institution anywhere in the world;
• be based outside Afghanistan for the duration of the grant as the Principal Investigator;
• propose an original research project aligned with one or more ARI research themes;
• demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed research within the grant period; and
• demonstrate proficiency in English sufficient to produce research outputs and communicate with ARI.

Citizenship of Afghanistan is not required. Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply. ARI strongly encourages collaborative research involving researchers from Afghanistan, including those based inside Afghanistan where feasible and appropriate. ARI is committed to promoting inclusive research and strongly encourages applications from women, researchers from historically underrepresented communities, and collaborative teams that include researchers from across Afghanistan, including outside Kabul.

Grant Deliverables

Successful grant recipients will be expected to complete the following outputs during the grant period.

2.     Research

• Undertake the approved research project.
• Produce one peer-reviewed journal article based on the approved proposal or any subsequently agreed modification to the research project.
• Submit a final copy of the journal article to ARI upon completion.

3.     Progress and Financial Reporting

Grant recipients must submit two written progress reports outlining:

• research activities undertaken;
• progress against agreed milestones and deliverables;
• challenges encountered; and
• planned activities for the following reporting period.

Reports are due at:

• Month 6
• Month 12 (Final Report)

Grant recipients will also be required to submit financial information against the approved project budget in accordance with the grant agreement. The final report will include a financial report showing expenditure against the approved budget and an explanation of any material budget variances.

Grant Payments

Grant funding of up to USD 20,000 will be disbursed in instalments linked to agreed milestones and satisfactory progress against the approved research activities and deliverables.

The specific payment schedule, financial reporting requirements, and conditions for disbursement will be set out in the grant agreement issued to successful applicants.

4.     Knowledge Brief

Prepare non-technical knowledge briefs or policy notes suitable for publication by ARI. The knowledge brief should:

• summarize the principal findings of the research;
• highlight the policy implications and practical relevance of the findings;
• discuss their contribution to Afghanistan's development and evidence-informed policymaking.

The knowledge brief should be submitted during the final four months of the grant period.

5.     Engagement with ARI

Grant recipients are expected to contribute to ARI's broader program of research dissemination and public engagement where appropriate. This may include participating as speakers or panelists in Conversations with ARI, public lectures, workshops, webinars, or other knowledge-sharing activities organized by ARI during the grant period.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

• completed online application form;
• curriculum vitae;
• research proposal (maximum 1,500 words);
• proposed 12-month implementation timeline/workplan;
• detailed project budget using the ARI budget template;
• brief budget narrative explaining and justifying the proposed costs; and
• brief description of collaborating researchers or partner institutions, where applicable.

The proposed budget should be realistic and proportionate to the proposed research and should clearly correspond to the activities and outputs described in the research proposal and workplan

Application deadline: 1 October 2026

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