These frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed in response to queries received by email up to 30 December 2025 at [email protected]. The FAQs and responses were further refined based on questions raised during the online workshop held on 9 January 2026.
The FAQs should be read in conjunction with the official call for proposals, which remains the primary reference for eligibility, scope, application requirements, timelines and selection criteria.
Eligibility
- Are universities the only eligible institutions?
No. In addition to universities, research institutions are eligible to apply. This includes civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations or private sector entities working on forestry, forest governance, environmental studies, social sciences, gender studies or related fields and conducting forestry and forest governance related research, conducting academic programmes or teaching.
Eligible institutions must be based in Lao PDR, Timor Leste and Cambodia (private only). Please check the ‘Eligibility’ and ‘Additional considerations’ sections in the call for proposals.
- Are research-based private consultancy firms eligible to apply?
Applications from research-based private institutions may be considered if they identify as a research institution conducting research, academic programmes or teaching on forestry, forest governance, environmental studies, social sciences, gender studies, law, economics or related fields.
Please check the ‘Eligibility’ and ‘Additional considerations’ sections in the call for proposals.
- Can NGOs or CSOs be the lead applicant?
Yes. NGOs or CSOs can be the lead applicant if they identify as a research institution conducting research, academic programmes or teaching on forestry, forest governance, environmental studies, social sciences, gender studies, law, economics or related fields. For specific details, please check ‘Eligibility’ and ‘Application process’ sections in the call for proposal.
- Can independent researchers apply?
No. Independent researchers are discouraged from applying. The grant aims to enhance institutional capacity to advance gender equity in learning, teaching and research.
- The call focuses on institutional research governance and quality systems. Are individual-level interventions within scope?
No. This is an institutional grant intended to strengthen institutional capacity and address structural barriers through institutional policy/practice changes (e.g., gender strategy, curriculum revision). Individual-level interventions are beyond the scope of the grant.
- Are Explore research grantees eligible to apply?
Yes. Current Explore grantees or researchers may participate in the institutional grant for advancing gender equity, provided the proposed project falls within the scope of this call. However, the current Principal Investigator may participate as a team member and not as the Project Coordinator for this grant. Young women are encouraged to lead proposals to support emerging women’s leadership.
Focus areas and locations
- Can the project be conducted in countries outside the list, like Malaysia or Albania?
No. The call aims to support universities and research institutions in Cambodia (private institutions only), Lao PDR and Timor-Leste to address systemic gender barriers, improve institutional policies and practices and create more inclusive and equitable academic environments. Please check the ‘Scope of supported interventions’ section in the call.
- Can the grant be used for institutional strengthening purposes other than gender equity and social inclusion?
No. This call is to advance gender equity in forest landscape governance and support universities and research institutions to recognize and address these systemic inequalities and strengthen gender-responsive governance, teaching and research. Please check the ‘Scope of supported interventions’ section in the call.
- Our university focuses on health sciences and social sciences but is not related to forests. Can we apply?
If the institution’s focus is specifically health sciences without linkage, eligibility is unlikely. Explore is dedicated to forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. To be eligible, proposals should fit within forest landscape governance/forest governance (or broader environmental governance as relevant).
Funding and grants
- What is the maximum size of the grant? Does it offer any flexibility to increase the fund size based on intervention?
The maximum grant size for the call is USD 25,000. There is no flexibility to expand the grant ceiling.
- How many applicants will be shortlisted and how many awards will be made?
There is no fixed number for shortlisting; it depends on eligibility and fit within the call. A maximum of three grants will be awarded during this grant cycle.
- Is submission of audited financial statements for the last three years compulsory?
Yes. This is part of financial risk management and accountability checks. The audit does not need to be project-level; institution-level audits are acceptable.
- Can VAT or government taxes be included in the financial proposal?
Yes, taxes can be covered if legal documents are provided.
- Can multiple proposals be submitted by the same institution?
We recommend that potential applicants coordinate before submitting. Internal coordination is encouraged to avoid overlaps.
- Should co-financing be included within the USD 15,000–25,000 range, or can the total proposal exceed USD 25,000?
Explore funding is capped at USD 25,000. The total intervention budget may exceed this amount if the institution provides additional co-financing. Co-financing is optional and does not affect proposal scoring.
- Are personnel (human resources) costs allowed? Is there a limit?
Yes. Personnel (human resources) costs are eligible and may comprise up to 60 per cent of the total grant budget, reflecting that much of the work involves analysis and strategy development. In addition, administrative/overhead costs are allowed up to 12 per cent of the total budget.
Team composition
- Are there restrictions on team size?
There is no maximum limit, but it needs to be justified as per the scale of the intervention.
- Who can serve as the Project Coordinator?
The Project Coordinator must be a national and resident of Cambodia, Lao PDR or Timor-Leste. They must be affiliated with a university or research institution in their home country. In Cambodia, only non-state institutions are eligible.
- Who will the agreement be signed with?
The agreement will be signed between RECOFTC and the respective university or research institution.
Proposal submission
The deadline for submission is 30 January 2026. Proposals must be submitted using the official application form. Applicants must also upload the full proposal using the provided template and a combined curriculum vitae file for all team members.
Applicants are advised to consult the full call for proposals for detailed guidance before submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.