Frequently Asked Questions

Can I propose a project as a Principal Applicant with a Co-applicant who works in the same country as me?

No, you are not eligible to apply unless you include at least one other Co-applicant from a different country in the Asia Pacific region. The grant program aims to foster regional collaboration between researchers from different countries and institutions.

Can the Principal Applicant and Co-applicants hold citizenship from the same country?

Yes, the Principal Applicant and Co-applicants may share the same nationality however, at least one of the Co-applicants must be living and working in a different Asia-Pacific country than the Principal Applicant.  The primary purpose of the grant program is to support international collaboration between social science researchers in the Indo- Pacific. It is therefore a requirement that the project includes researchers working in at least two different countries in the Asia Pacific region.

I live and work in a high-income country in the Asia Pacific, and my Co-applicant is living and working in a low-income Asia Pacific country. Are we eligible to apply for a Priority Grant?

Yes, you and your colleague are eligible to submit a grant application however, the Principal Applicant must be the researcher working in a low or middle-income country. Applicants working in high-income countries in the Asia Pacific can only be listed as Co-applicants.  At least one of the researchers (either Principal Applicant or Co-applicant), must also be living and working in a country that has an AASSREC member organisation.

Can I include a Co-applicant who works in a country outside the Asia Pacific region?

The purpose of the grant program is to foster collaboration between social science researchers in the Asia Pacific region.  You can only include Co-applicants who work in a country outside the Asia Pacific region if the Principal Applicant and at least one of the Co-Applicants are working in two different eligible countries in the Asia Pacific region. The Principal Applicant must be from a low or middle-income country in the Asia-Pacific and at least one of the researchers (either Principal Applicant or one of the Co-applicant) must be working in a country that has an AASSREC member.

How do I find out if there is an AASSREC member organisation in my country?

You can find a list of AASSREC member organisations on the AASSREC website here: https://aassrec.org/members/

There is no AASSREC member in my country.  Am I still eligible to apply for a grant?

Provided you are working in the Asia Pacific region, you can still apply for a grant, however at least one of the researchers (either the Principal Applicant or one of the Co-applicants), must be working in a country that has an AASSREC member.  The Principal Applicant must also be working in a low or middle-income country in the Asia Pacific region.

I am not affiliated in any way with the AASSREC member organisation in my country.  Am I still eligible to apply as the Principal Applicant?

Yes, if there is an AASSREC member organisation in your country, you are eligible to apply as the Principal Applicant, provided that you meet the other eligibility criteria (i.e. you are a social science researcher who is working in a low or middle-income country in the Asia Pacific region proposing collaboration with a social science researcher from another country in the Asia Pacific).

Can I include a co-applicant who is not a social scientist?

The grant is primarily for social science researchers in the Asia Pacific region. Co-applicants who are not social scientists can only be included in the grant application if there are at least two other social science researchers (the Principal Applicant and at least one co-applicant), included in the application who meet the eligibility criteria.

Can I submit more than one grant application for the same funding cycle?

Yes, multiple grant applications can be submitted for the same funding cycle.

Can I request funding for a project that is largely written up or ready for public consideration?

Grant funds can only cover costs detailed and agreed upon in the budget and grant agreement. Any additional costs outside of those must be met by the grant recipients.

Can I submit the same proposal to other funding sources?

Yes, you can submit the same proposal to other funding sources concurrently.

Are independent researchers eligible to apply for these grants?

Independent researchers are eligible to apply, provided they are affiliated with a recognized research organization or institution. This affiliation must be substantiated with a letter of support, and the organization or institution must comply with the funding criteria outlined in the Priority Grant guidelines.

Who can issue the letter of support?

Letters of support must be prepared by the Principal Applicant’s institution on official letterhead. The letter must specify the name of the Principal Applicant and project title and be signed by the delegated authority/management of the administering institution. The letter must confirm the Principal Applicant’s affiliation with the institution and confirm that the institution will support the Principal Applicant’s participation in the project and ensure that the required infrastructure is made available for the project.

 What are GEDSI Markers?

GEDSI Markers are tools to assess the degree to which an application has adopted considerations to promote gender equality, social inclusion, and disability rights in its objectives, activities, and partnership arrangements. Applicants must select a category (either No impact, Low impact, Moderate impact, or High impact) for at least one GEDSI marker.

How do I submit my grant application?

Applications must be submitted online via the AASSREC Grant Portal at: https://portal.aassrec.org

Who will review my application?

An international panel of invited experts within relevant fields will review and rank applications based on their relative merit.

What ethical considerations must be addressed in grant-funded research?

Research involving human subjects or animals must adhere to high ethical standards. Applicants must comply with applicable domestic and international laws and ethics requirements, and obtain necessary permits or permissions.

Who will receive the grant funds?

AASSREC’s preference is to provide grant funds to the Principal Applicant’s institution/organisation. However, where discretionary consideration is provided by the AASSREC Secretariat payment through the application process, alternative payment arrangements may be made.

How will the grant funds be disbursed?

The AASSREC Secretariat will pay the grant in instalments as follows: 50% on execution of the grant agreement; 40% after six months and on acceptance of a satisfactory progress report; and 10% on acceptance of a final report at the conclusion of the project.  All payments will require provision of a valid invoice.

Contact for enquiries

If you have any questions or require further information about the Priority Social Science  Grants please contact the AASSREC Secretariat via email: info@aassrec.org or phone: +61 2 6249 1788.