Call for
Cross-border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) Research Programme
Organisation Name:
Cross-border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) Research Programme
Application Deadline:
15 September 2025
About Organisation
The Cross-border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) Research Programme is dedicated to advancing knowledge and policy on conflict-affected regions, particularly borderlands where violence, peacebuilding, and social dynamics intersect. XCEPT brings together leading experts and local researchers to examine how conflicts transcend borders, shape communities, and influence both violent and peaceful behaviour. Its core mission is to generate evidence-based insights that inform global policy, peace processes, and development initiatives. By fostering collaborations between researchers across geographies, XCEPT creates opportunities for inclusive perspectives and diverse methodologies. The programme emphasizes critical research that highlights the lived realities of people in fragile regions, drawing attention to cross-border interactions, governance challenges, and socio-political complexities. XCEPT not only supports high-quality academic publications but also ensures that research findings are accessible to policymakers, practitioners, and the wider public through commentaries, blogs, and other outreach formats. The programme prioritizes rigorous scholarship with practical impact, aiming to bridge the gap between academic evidence and real-world policymaking. With a strong focus on equity, inclusivity, and amplifying voices from the Global South, XCEPT ensures its research contributes to sustainable peace and a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping conflict-affected societies.
About the Grant
The Bridging Narratives Grant is an intersectional initiative funded by the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. It aims to foster collaborative projects between independent journalists and social scientists, blending academic research and journalism to produce critical, people-centered narratives. The selected projects will address key global themes such as migration, political economy, ecology, and culture, highlighting their local implications through in-depth reporting. The goal is to create high-quality, participatory content that is disseminated through The Contrapuntal’s digital magazine. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will attend a workshop focused on journalism-research collaborations, culminating in an edited volume reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of merging the two fields.
Who can Apply?
The XCEPT Research Programme Grant seeks to commission innovative studies that apply a feminist lens to conflict-affected borderlands. It encourages research that explores cross-border connections, drivers of conflict and peace, and transnational political economy. Each grant recipient will be required to deliver a peer-reviewed academic paper and an accessible public-facing output, such as a commentary or blog post, ensuring wider dissemination of insights. The programme anticipates supporting up to three applicants, though this may vary depending on proposal quality and strategic alignment with XCEPT’s objectives. Grant awards will be up to £15,000 GBP, with flexibility for slightly higher budgets in exceptional cases where strong justification is provided. The Selection Committee evaluates proposals based on originality, thematic relevance, geographic focus, feasibility, and the researcher’s expertise. By combining scholarly rigour with practical dissemination, this grant aims to strengthen global understanding of conflict-affected borderlands while amplifying voices and perspectives often overlooked in mainstream policy discussions.
How to Apply?
This grant is open to researchers committed to producing high-quality academic work on conflict-affected borderlands. Applications are invited from both individual scholars and co-authored teams. The lead author must hold a PhD in a relevant field, have at least one peer-reviewed journal publication, and demonstrate expertise in conducting independent research, ideally within conflict-affected, transnational, or feminist-focused contexts. Strong written English skills are essential, along with the capacity to deliver outputs within the required timeframe. Researchers from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply, whether independently or in partnership with Global North colleagues, to ensure diverse perspectives and equitable collaboration. Proposals will be judged on the quality and originality of the research idea, alignment with XCEPT’s thematic and geographic priorities, feasibility of the methodology and publication plan, and the applicant’s track record. Applicants must be ready to commit to both academic and public-facing outputs, bridging scholarly work with wider policy and community impact.
Application Deadline
Applicants must submit an application form with a 400-word abstract, a 300-word research and publication plan, an indicative budget with justification, CVs of all researchers, and proof of at least one peer-reviewed publication by the lead author.
Application Deadline
Clarification questions must be submitted by September 8, 2025, at 18:00 BST, and completed applications must be submitted by September 15, 2025, at 10:00 BST.
Last Date To Apply
The final date to apply is September 15, 2025, with submissions closing at 10:00 BST.
Grant Amount
Each award is valued up to £15,000 GBP, with the possibility of slightly higher funding in special cases with clear justification.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
