Purpose

icddr,b has launched ‘Mujib 100 Research Grants for Women (Mujib 100 RGfW)’ in commemoration of the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and in celebration of icddr,b’s 60 years of scientific brilliance. The purpose of this grant is to create a new generation of female researchers and scientists in Bangladesh. Both the Government of Bangladesh and icddr,b are committed towards an inclusive and supportive  environment to nurture women working in science.

Background

According to UNESCO, globally at the bachelor's and master's levels, women have achieved parity (44-55 percent) by representing 53 percent of all graduates. At the PhD level, they account for 43 percent. But only 28 percent choose a career in science and research. A recent Nature study reviewed 83,000 articles and found only 17 percent had female corresponding authors.Bangladesh, which has already shown promises to emerge as a middle-income country, is no exception. Although Bangladesh has achieved enormous success in various aspects of growth and development, acute shortage of world class female scientists still remains a challenge. Female researchers are required for leading the expanding research portfolio worldwide but they often find it difficult to sustain their career in this field due to factors which negatively influence the decision-making process. This includes the lack of practical understanding regarding women working in science, to the unseen promise of a stable job along with prejudices and beliefs. This can deter parents, relatives, teachers and peers from advocating science as a career avenue for girls. Bangladesh is lagging behind in women’s participation in research on health and technology. Without strong contribution from women in this field, the country will fall behind even further. Since icddr,b has a unique research environment to nurture and mentor scientists, and the current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasises  the advancement of science and technology, this has the potential to become a very appropriate and timely initiative. It will aim to create opportunities for female scientists to attain their first competitive grant and to incentivise them to choose science as their career path.

Subject Objectives

icddr,b as well as Bangladesh faces an acute shortage of female researchers. Therefore, the main objective of this grant would be to: Specific Objective 
• Familiarise female researchers with the peer reviewed competitive process of winning a research grant • Provide them with an opportunity of getting their start-up grant • Create a pool of world class female researchers in Bangladesh 
 Mujib RGfW eligibility, research area, requirements -

Applicant must be a Bangladeshi women researcher/scientist/academic aged below 50 years. : - Proposed project must be related to icddr,b’s research priorities, which are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Areas of icddr,b’s strategic priority are: