Call for Proposals: Student Research Grant Program (Nepal)

Deadline: 12-Nov-2025

The Rural Reconstruction Nepal with support from the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund invites applications from graduate (BSc/Master’s/Equivalent) students for research grants focusing on biodiversity conservation, forest fire management, human-wildlife coexistence, and park-people relations in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) and its buffer zone communities.

Proposals should focus on key conservation themes such as community-based conservation, livelihoods, human-wildlife conflict, and socio-economic aspects of protected area management; biodiversity and forest restoration through studies on species diversity, ecosystem services, and habitat recovery; forest fire management covering causes, impacts, prevention, and community-based approaches; and inclusive conservation practices emphasizing Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).

Each selected project will be eligible to receive up to NPR 50,000 in financial support, with applicable taxes deducted as per the Government of Nepal’s regulations. The grant is available for a total of two research projects, providing essential financial backing for students conducting degree-related studies in conservation and sustainable resource management.

Eligible applicants must be Nepali citizens currently enrolled in a BSc or MSc program at a recognized university. The proposed research must also be a mandatory component of the applicant’s academic degree. Selected grantees will be required to submit a final thesis report to RRN, SNNP, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) library, followed by a brief presentation of their findings to RRN.

The complete research proposal should follow a specific format, including a title, background and problem statement, rationale, objectives, literature review, methodology, expected outcomes, timeframe, budget breakdown, and study limitations. The document should not exceed eight pages, excluding the cover and reference pages, and must adhere to the formatting guidelines of 1.5-line spacing, 1-inch margins, and 12-point Times New Roman font.

Applicants are required to submit a single PDF file containing a cover letter, the research proposal, a recent CV, and a letter of recommendation from their academic supervisor. The selection committee will evaluate proposals based on their relevance to LNCP objectives, conservation priorities, and the clarity of research design and methodology. Female candidates, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), and local students from areas surrounding SNNP are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications must be submitted via email by November 12, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

For more information, visit RRN.