Call for Proposals: Sergio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair (SVMAC) – Grant Program (Moldova)

About the Program

The Sergio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair (SVMAC) Grant Program supports academic staff, researchers and students from partner universities in Moldova to design and implement projects that promote refugee protection and inclusion. This initiative is a collaboration between UNHCR Moldova, the Law Centre of Advocates (CDA), and local universities part of the SVMAC network.

Building on the first grant cycle in 2025, the 2026 Program will continue to support the engagement of academia in research and advocacy on refugee protection and inclusion during the transition phase of Moldova’s refugee response.

If you are unsure whether your university is a member of the SVMAC network, please contact us at [email protected] for clarification.

What We Fund

We are looking for impactful projects that contribute to at least one of the following two goals:

1. Academic Research
2. Advocacy

Projects must be implemented in Moldova and show direct relevance to forced displacement and/or statelessness.

Grant Categories and Amounts

Each SVMAC Member University may submit up to two applications across the entire Grant Program.

Who Can Apply

Interested applicants must:

• Be officially affiliated with a SVMAC Member University in Moldova.
• Propose a project aligned with at least one SVMAC objective and implementable within Moldova.
• Promote the involvement of academic staff and students and, where applicable, refugees or stateless persons.

Projects involving children must adhere to relevant safeguarding protocols. Staff or family members of CDA, UNHCR, or members of the Selection Committee are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply

Submit the following documents in PDF format by April 25, 2026:

1. Project Proposal Form (Appendix A)
2. Detailed Budget (Appendix B – in MDL)
3. CV of project lead and key team members
4. Proof of Affiliation
5. Optional: Letters of support
6. Declaration of accuracy of information and compliance with grant program requirements

Email subject: “SVM Grant Application: [Project Title] – [Applicant Name]”

Submit to: [email protected] and cc: [email protected]

How Your Proposal Will Be Evaluated

Proposals will be evaluated by a multi-stakeholder Selection Committee based on the following criteria:

• Relevance to SVMAC goals (30%)
• Impact potential for refugees, stateless persons, communities and academia (25%)
• Feasibility & methodology (20%)
• Budget clarity & efficiency (15%)
• Inclusivity & innovation (10%)

Timeline
Call Opens | March 17, 2026
Submission Deadline | April 25, 2026
Review Period | April 26 – May 2, 2026
Selection Committee Decision | May 5, 2026
Notifications Sent | May 6, 2026
Project Period | May 12 – October 31, 2026
Mid-term Report Due | August 15, 2026
Final Report Due | November 15, 2026

What Happens if You’re Selected

• You’ll sign a grant agreement with CDA
• Receive 70% upfront, and 30% after the mid-term report
• You must submit 2 reports: mid-term and final

Safeguards & Accountability

All grant recipients are expected to:

• Implement their projects using a human rights-based approach, applying age, gender and diversity considerations throughout activities.
• Ensure that all project participants are engaged on a voluntary basis and understand the purpose and nature of the activities.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of personal information and follow data protection standards in line with national legislation and UNHCR guidance.

UNHCR and CDA reserve the right to carry out reviews, request additional information, or suspend/terminate funding in cases of non-compliance.

Please read the complete Terms of Reference here.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] copying [email protected].