The Aegis Trust is pleased to announce a third call for proposals by Rwandan researchers as part of its Research, Policy and Higher Education programme. The programme supports Rwandan researchers to develop policy-relevant academic papers and associated policy briefs on a range of topics related to genocide prevention and peace building.

The research grants are administered by genocide prevention organisation Aegis Trust and funded by the UK Department for International Development as well as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Speaking on the call for proposals, Country Director of Aegis Trust Rwanda, Yves Kamuronsi, said: “Aegis Trust is proud to support high quality research that contributes to genocide prevention, peace building and post-genocide recovery. We are especially happy to support Rwandans to research Rwanda and to use their skills to inform a broad range of researchers, policymakers and practitioners, in Rwanda and internationally.”

Aegis Trust encourages all interested Rwandans to apply. Proposals are sought for innovative and insightful research papers of between 7,000 and 10,000 words in English or French on the following themes:

• Peace education

• Memory, identity and narrative

• Reconciliation and social cohesion

• Transitional Justice

• Trauma and psychological/psycho-social issues

• Gender dimensions of post-genocide recovery

• Post-genocide economic development

• Education, media and peace building

Only Rwandan nationals (or non-Rwandans collaborating with Rwandans) may apply. A maximum of six proposals will be funded.

Proposals must include a brief description (maximum 500 words) of the broad topic of the paper, the specific research question to be addressed, the research methods to be employed and the paper’s expected contribution to the existing literature and proposed application into policymaking and peacebuilding practice. Applicants, including any co-authors, should also include a copy of their CV.

Each successful proposal will receive a grant the Rwandan Francs equivalent of 2,500 British pounds (inclusive of taxes) to be used for researchers’ remuneration and other costs associated with producing a research paper and policy brief. Of this, £1750 will be paid upfront and £750 upon completion.

Proposals may relate to projects that are already well developed but have not been previously published or new projects that require fresh research. Both categories will be supported with the same grant amount.

The deadline for research proposals is 14 November 2016. Proposals or any queries should be sent to: researchpapers@aegistrust.org.rw

Authors of selected projects will attend an initial meeting in Kigali in February 2017 with the Aegis Trust team as well as the research advisory board. In addition, two workshops will be organised during which draft papers will be discussed and advice given regarding possible publication options.

Successful applicants will be expected to produce a draft paper by 1 September 2017 for inclusion in the Aegis Trust online working paper series, a five-page policy brief highlighting the paper’s key findings by 15 September 2017, and evidence that the working paper has been submitted for publication in an academic journal or as a chapter in an edited volume. Successful applicants must commit to meet these deadlines.

Aegis Trust and Peace Education 

The Aegis Trust is an international organisation working to prevent genocide. Through education, Aegis works to build long-term peace by encouraging communities to change from mindsets of mistrust and prejudice that lead to genocide, to a position of shared responsibility for peace and stability. Aegis conducts and encourages research about how genocide comes about to improve the practice of prevention. We work on places where genocide is a current threat, campaigning for decision-makers to engage with protection of those most at risk. Our advocacy involves taking the voices of those at risk to politicians, the media and the public. Aegis also finds ways to support survivors to rebuild their lives.

Launched in 2000, Aegis developed from the work of the UK Holocaust Centre and has offices in the UK and Rwanda, where it is has been responsible for the Kigali Genocide Memorial since it opened in 2004. Standing in the heart of Rwanda’s capital at a site where more than 250,000 victims of the genocide are buried, it comprises exhibitions, memorial gardens, educational facilities and the Genocide Archive of Rwanda.

The concept of Peace Education is used by Aegis Trust to mean education that promotes social cohesion, positive values including pluralism and personal responsibility, empathy, critical thinking and action in order to build a more peaceful society or a society that does not use violence to resolve conflict. It also refers to the process of acquiring values and knowledge, and developing attitudes, skills and behaviour to live in harmony with oneself, with others and the natural environment.