Peace Research Grant Program

The International Peace Research Association (IPRA) Foundation offers the Peace Research Grant Program to support scholars undertaking research that advances the understanding and development of peaceful alternatives to violence. Established in 2002, this program transitioned from a smaller grant initiative into a more robust framework in 2013, allowing for larger awards of up to $5,000. The foundation has historically funded research in diverse and often underserved regions, including inner-city areas in the U.S., the Middle East, the Philippines, Argentina, Bosnia, and Uganda. The IPRA Foundation operates with a clear mission to promote peace research that investigates the causes of conflict and explores nonviolent solutions. The grants are designed to support individuals—not institutions or organizations—who propose original and socially relevant peace research. Applicants may only receive one Peace Research Grant in their lifetime, whether from the current or former version of the program. Grants are intended for small-scale research and do not cover overhead costs, administrative fees, rent, tuition, salary for the primary investigator, or unrelated expenses. Only substantiated costs directly tied to the research project are eligible, such as travel (economy class only) and translation (with approval). Applicants must submit four components: a completed application form, a curriculum vitae, a detailed project proposal, and a letter of support from an affiliated organization. The project proposal is limited to six single-spaced pages and must include a detailed description of the research problem, objectives, strategy, budget, timeline, bibliography, and references. It should also articulate how the project furthers the foundation’s mission, describe a dissemination plan for research findings, and detail how the work contributes to peace-building and nonviolent conflict resolution. Applications are reviewed in two cycles annually. Cycle 1 opens on January 1 and closes on February 28 (or 29 in leap years), while Cycle 2 opens on June 1 and closes on July 31. The current open cycle closes on February 28, 2026. Following initial review by the Grant Administrator, suitable proposals are forwarded to three board members for evaluation. Award decisions are final, and unsuccessful applicants may revise and resubmit if their proposal aligns with the foundation’s mission. Awardees receive 60% of the grant at the project start, and the remaining 40% upon completion and submission of a final report and newsletter article. A progress report is also required at the six-month mark. Final deliverables include a six-page report detailing project goals, methodology, outcomes, and relevance to peace initiatives. Grantees must include an acknowledgment of funding in all related outputs: “This research was funded by the Peace Research Grant Program of the International Peace Research Association Foundation.” The program emphasizes respect, nonviolence, and empowering research within vulnerable and marginalized communities. Researchers are encouraged to demonstrate language or cultural competence related to their subject matter and to disseminate findings through both academic and public-facing platforms. Questions about the application or grant process can be directed to the Grant Administrator, Crystal Money.

Follow detailed proposal formatting strictly; noncompliant applications are not reviewed.