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The purpose of research grants is to increase the availability of knowledge about trends, challenges, violations and opportunities related to the exercise of freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression in the two sub-regions, South and Southeast Asia.
Available grants
1. Carrying out a national research study based on a common framework of indicators developed by APC to determine the state of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and freedom of expression (FoE) in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia.
Three grants available for a research study in the three countries. Applicants can propose to conduct the study on one of the three countries. Based on the framework developed by APC, this research should address the challenges at the intersection of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression online in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia.
The research should capture violations, key challenges and the impact on different communities. Gender perspectives must be sufficiently incorporated in the methodology and content. The study should rely on international standards and national legal frameworks and be carried out in consultation with survivors, national groups and other stakeholders. The right to privacy of survivors must be respected. A clear human rights-based approach is necessary for this research.
Amount available: USD 3,300 for each grant.
2. Carrying out one regional, national or cross-country research study on issues relating to FoRB and FoE online in Bangladesh and India.
Two grants available for a research study in the two countries. Applicants can propose to conduct research with a focus on either country.
Indicative topics for this research could include the role of entertainment media in perpetuating hate; analysis of blasphemy provisions in information and communications technology legislation; the use of religion to target women and LGBTIQ communities; the role of corporate entities and platforms under the Rabat Plan of Action; the history and impact of significant counter-speech movements; the politics and psychology of hate in mob violence; the role of media, social media and internet service providers in perpetrating and curbing hate speech; and the censorship of artistic content in the name of religion. However, the applicant may propose a topic outside this list as long as it relates to the thematic area of focus in the project. The research must significantly incorporate a human rights-based approach and gender components.
Amount available: USD 3,300 for each grant.
3. Carrying out one regional or cross-country research study on the psychology of hate as it relates to FoRB and FoE online.
One grant available for research study in South and/or Southeast Asia on the psychology of hate and hate speech, especially as it relates to religion. The study should be carried in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including survivors of hate campaigns. The right to privacy of survivors must be respected. The research must significantly incorporate a human rights-based approach and gender components.
Amount available: USD 4,400.
4. Other research
The applicant may propose any other research that they are interested in carrying out as long as it relates to the thematic area of focus and countries of focus in the project. The research must also significantly incorporate a human rights-based approach and gender components.
