The FemFirst Research Observatory supports mid- to senior-career women and nonbinary-identifying researchers and scholars in contributing original research on feminist AI futures in South and Southeast Asia.
The Observatory invites original proposals from South and Southeast Asia to advance research and knowledge on feminist AI. The Observatory will support 8 to 12 researchers, each of whom will develop two high-quality, original research papers of 6,000 words each.
Through this, the Observatory aims to:
- Build a robust body of empirical, conceptual, policy, and applied research that examines the intersections of AI and gender equality in South and Southeast Asia
- Open new technical, social, and political pathways for feminist AI approaches
- Seed and foster a thriving interdisciplinary AI knowledge ecosystem and network of researchers/institutions in South and Southeast Asia
What we will support
Over a 12-month period, we will support mid- to senior-career researchers in producing:
- Two original research papers (6,000 words each)
- Two blogs synthesizing key insights from the research conducted
- Additional dissemination materials, such as podcast episodes, to broaden reach and engagement
What we offer
- Funding of approx. 12,000 CAD per proposal for a 12-month period
- Access to a collaborative research network with a shared commitment to feminist principles
- Mentorship and engagement with leading researchers and practitioners
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with fellow researchers, academics, builders, and developers in the region
Eligibility criteria
We seek established mid- to senior-career researchers and scholars to contribute original research on feminist AI futures.
- Applicants may be independent researchers or individual researchers, scholars, academics, or research teams at registered research institutions or entities (eg, universities, research centers, non-profit organizations, for-profit firms).
- Applicants must demonstrate regional expertise and specialization in South and Southeast Asia, with a track record of work on digitalization and gender.
- Applicants must identify as a woman/non-binary person. If you are applying as a team, the team must be led by a woman/non-binary person.
- We prefer that applicants are located in South or Southeast Asia. We will also consider researchers located in other countries, but a research proposal focusing on the region is essential.
- Proposed research must be original and not published elsewhere. If you are receiving additional funds for your proposal from other sources, please disclose the same in your proposal.
How to apply
Submit your proposal for joining the FemFirst Research Observatory by filling out this form. Please read the detailed call carefully to ensure alignment with the project’s goals before applying. Please note that due to the high number of responses, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The deadline to submit your proposal is 15 June 2026.
Quick links
Call for Applications: https://lnk.itforchange.net/ffrocall
Application form: https://lnk.itforchange.net/ffroform
Budget Template: https://lnk.itforchange.net/ffrobudget
Contact: femfirstlab@itforchange.net