Global SOGIESC Seed Grants Program

The Global SOGIESC Research Grants Program, organized by the Williams Institute, aims to promote empirical research focused on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in least developed, low-, and middle-income countries. This initiative seeks not only to amplify the voices of researchers from these regions but also to strengthen their research capacity through mentorship, networking, and knowledge exchange. The program fosters collaborations between experienced researchers and civil society organizations to enhance the real-world relevance and impact of funded projects. The grants support projects that are empirical in nature and can encompass a wide variety of topics and methodologies. Prior supported studies have investigated issues such as discrimination against transgender individuals in Argentina, economic empowerment of transgender communities in India, and the experiences of intersex people in Serbia. The program encourages proposals that aim to inform public policy, improve service delivery, or otherwise drive practical change for LGBTQI+ populations. Projects addressing topics such as access to public services, impact of laws and policies, public opinion, and unique needs of subgroups within the LGBTQI+ community are especially welcomed. To be eligible, applicants must form partnerships between experienced researchers and civil society organizations, and part of the research team must reside or work in countries included in the DAC list of ODA recipients. Experienced researchers may include academics, advanced graduate students, or practitioners unaffiliated with institutions. All proposals must be submitted in English, though resulting publications may be produced in any language. Projects should be completed within 12 months, with final publications expected within 18 months of the start date. Each selected project can receive up to $4,800 in funding. This amount may cover salary support and research-related expenses, including travel necessary for project execution. Indirect or overhead costs are not eligible for funding. Awards must be granted directly to individuals and not processed through institutions. Applicants are advised to seek tax counsel regarding any financial implications associated with receiving the grant. Grantees are required to fulfill several reporting responsibilities, including virtual progress updates, submission of a summary report, at least one publishable output, and participation in a colloquium with other grantees. The application process mandates submission via an online portal and includes components such as a detailed research proposal, partnership bios, budget, and if applicable, human subjects research narrative and mentorship request. Final grant decisions are expected in spring 2026. For further details, applicants may refer to the full request for proposals or reach out via the dedicated grant email. While questions about proposal suitability cannot be addressed, the Williams Institute provides resources and optional mentorship to ensure the success of the research projects it supports.

Priority given to policy-relevant projects and first-time applicants.