Eligibility and who can apply
This call is open exclusively to researchers affiliated with teaching and research institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations, within Ethiopia. All principal investigators, co-investigators, and collaborating investigators must be based in Ethiopia. In addition, all proposed research projects must be conducted within Ethiopia and should address issues relevant to the Ethiopian context.
Eligible applicants include:
* Faculty members and academic staff of higher learning institutions
* Clinical and research fellows
* Public health professionals and implementation researchers
* Multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research teams
Collaborative proposals that bring together researchers, clinicians, program implementers, and institutions across disciplines and regions are highly encouraged. Applications that foster mentorship and engagement of junior researchers, residents, fellows, and graduate students are particularly welcomed.
About the research projects
Funded projects are expected to be methodologically rigorous, and designed to address priority evidence gaps in comprehensive abortion care and family planning.
Priority will be given to concept notes that demonstrate:
* Strong scientific merit and innovation
* Clear potential for policy and programmatic impact
* Feasibility within the proposed timeline and context
* Implementation relevance and practical applicability
* Multi-site, collaborative, or cross-disciplinary approaches
* Capacity-building opportunities for junior researchers, residents, fellows, or graduate students
Concept note preparation and submission
Applicants must prepare their submissions in accordance with the Concept Note Submission Guide. The guide provides detailed instructions on:
* Required sections and formatting
* Methodological expectations
* Budget overview requirements
* Ethical considerations
* Review and selection procedures
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the guide carefully before submission to ensure that all requirements are met and that submissions are competitive and complete.
Concept notes should be concise, clear, and well aligned with the thematic priorities of comprehensive abortion care and family planning.
Funding information
The maximum funding available per project is 1,500,000 ETB.
At the concept note stage, applicants are only required to provide a high-level budget overview. Detailed line-item budgets will be requested from applicants shortlisted to submit full proposals.
Funding will be disbursed in phases and may support activities including:
* Research preparation and protocol development
* Training and field preparation
* Data collection and supervision
* Data analysis and management
* Report writing and dissemination
Please note the following:
* No funding will be provided for concept note or proposal development activities.
* Top-up payments or salary supplementation for principal investigators, co-investigators, or other research staff will not be supported.
* Grant funds may not be used to purchase laptops, data collection tablets, or similar equipment. However, the purchase of relevant consumable materials is allowable.
* Institutional overhead or indirect costs are not permitted. All allocated funds will be centrally administered and managed by SPIRHR.
* Financial management and reporting must comply with the regulations and procedures of SPIRHR and the Government of Ethiopia.
Submission and timeline
* Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
* Applicants are encouraged to submit early to avoid last-minute technical or administrative delays.
* Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to develop and submit full proposals.
* The proposed project timeline is indicated below.
* Concept Note Call Opens.....May 26, 2026
* Concept Note Deadline....June 26, 2026
* Review of Concept Notes....June 27-July 10
* Notification of Selected Concept Notes...July 10
* Full Proposal Development....July 11 -July 31
* Full Proposal Submission Deadline....July 31
* Scientific Review....Aug 01-15
* Final Decision....Aug 20
* Fund Release Begins....Sept 01 onward
* Project Period....Sept 2026 – April 2027
* Final Report Due....June 30, 2027
Contact information
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Email: research@spirhr.org
