FSRA targets academics and professional experts holding a Ph.D. with at least 1, 3, or 5 publications in W, X or Y categories of  Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognized journals, or upto five (05) years’ field work experience respectively.  This category is aimed at seasoned researchers, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the field. The selected FSRA candidates will receive a grant of 0.6 Million PKR.

1. Education
   • Institutional Barriers Affecting Tertiary-level Education for Refugees.
   • Challenges and Prospects of Capacity Building for Refugee Schoolteachers.
   • Integrating Refugee Students into the Educational System of Host Communities.
   • Overcoming Gender Disparity in Education.
2. Livelihood & Market Inclusivity
   • Technology and Livelihood: E-commerce and Online Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Refugees.
3. Protection
   • Impact of Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) on Afghan Refugees.
4. WASH
   • Affordable Solutions to Recycle Water for Irrigation in Refugee Villages.
5. Healthcare
   • Psychological Issues Related to Migration.
   • Malnutrition/Undernourishment of Refugee Children.
   • Refugee Village Planning for Healthy Housing Standards.
   • Impacts and Challenges of UNHCR’s Mobile Healthcare Facilitations.
6. Social Welfare
   • Identity Crisis Issues among Refugees.
   • National Relief and Financial Assistance Programs for Refugees.
7. Climate
   • Displacing the displaced: Impact of climate change on Afghan Refugee population.

FSRA projects are expected to result in a paper published in the International Journal of Refugee, Minority, and Gender Studies, which is affiliated with ICRMS.

Copyright for the selected projects will belong to ICRMS-UNHCR, and the work cannot be published or submitted elsewhere. The funding will be released in two tranches, contingent upon the completion of specific deliverables and project milestones outlined in the submission requirements.

Phase 1: Preparatory Phase

Tasks and Expected Deliverables:

1. Signing of Contract with ICRMS
   • Submission of Updated CV and a 100-word Biography
   • Attested Copies of Academic Documents and Bank Account Details
   • Preparation of Short Research Project Description (One Pager)
   • Successful Presentation of Proposal in Defense

Phase 2: Proposal Refinement and Approval

Tasks and Expected Deliverables:

1. Revision of Proposal based on Evaluators’ Feedback and Key Performance Indicators
   • Revised Proposal Incorporating Evaluators’ Feedback and Key Performance Indicators
   • Development of Research Activity Timeline and Milestones

Phase 3: Research Execution

Tasks and Expected Deliverables:

1. Submission of 1st Progress Report for Release of First Tranche of Funding
2. Submission of 2nd Progress Report and Field Data
3. Development of 1st Draft of the Paper

Phase 4: Paper Refinement and Finalization

Tasks and Expected Deliverables:

1. Presentation of the First Draft in a Defense
2. Revision of Final Draft Incorporating Evaluators’ Feedback
3. Submission of Paper following ICRMS Journal Guidelines
   • Successful Presentation of the First Draft in Defense
   • Revised Final Draft of the Paper

Phase 5: Reporting and Documentation

Tasks and Expected Deliverables:

1. Development of Final Research Report
2. Creation of 2-5 Minute Video Documentary of the Research Project
3. Preparation of Research Budget Utilization Report
4. Submission of Final Research Report in Hard Form for Release of Second Tranche of Funding
   • Final Research Report
   • 2-5 Minute Video Documentary
   • Research Budget Utilization Report
   • Submission of Final Research Report in Hard Form

1. Call for Proposals Announcement:
   • ICRMS issues a formal Call for Proposals, inviting scholars and researchers to submit their research proposals based on the specified thematic areas and eligibility criteria.
2. Proposal Submission:
   • Interested applicants submit their research proposals, along with required documents such as CV, work plan, timeline, and proposal format, to the designated submission portal.
3. Initial Screening:
   • The submitted proposals undergo an initial screening process to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and adhere to the specified format by ICRMS staff.
4. UNHCR Screening:
   • The initial shortlisted proposals are sent to UNHCR for further screening and those aligned with UNHCR’s mandate are nominated for selection.
5. Final Selection:
   • The expert review panel based on ICRMS, UNHCR, and Academic Evaluators evaluates and selects the submitted proposals based on criteria such as relevance to thematic areas, clarity of objectives, feasibility, methodological rigor, innovation, and potential impact.

6. Notification of Results:
   • Selected applicants are notified of their successful selection and provided with detailed instructions regarding the next steps, including the signing of contracts, submission of additional documents, and commencement of the research project.
7. Publication of Results:
   • ICRMS announces the selected research projects publicly and may also publish the list of selected applicants on its website or through other communication channels.
8. Proposal Defense:
   • Selected applicants are invited to defend their proposals in front of the expert review panel. During the defense, applicants present their research plans, address panel members’ queries, and provide additional clarifications.

29^th Feb 2024 (Extended to 10^th March 2024)