SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme: Strengthening Early-Career Leadership in Research and Practice
The SVRI Forum Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is one of our most valued initiatives. It is designed to support the next generation of researchers and practitioners in preparing for and meaningfully participating in international events like SVRI Forum 2026. Through mentorship, the YPP helps early-career professionals refine their ideas, strengthen their abstracts, and build confidence to share their work on a global stage.
What’s New for SVRI Forum 2026?
For the first time, we have launched a pre-abstract submission call via Oxford Abstracts as part of the YPP, offering earlier and deeper support to a small cohort (4–6) of promising early-career researchers and practitioners. This new model allows us to begin mentoring before the official abstract submission process opens.
How it Works
Selected participants will be paired with a mentor from the SVRI Leadership Council or wider network and receive tailored support, including:
- Guidance on shaping and strengthening their abstract – framing, methodology, analysis, and recommendations.
- Feedback to refine their formal submission to the SVRI Forum 2026.
- Ongoing mentoring to prepare for their presentation if accepted, and- where possible – in-person engagement with their mentor at the Forum.
All selected YPP participants will be supported to attend SVRI Forum 2026 in Bangkok, regardless of whether their abstract is accepted.
Why Early Engagement Matters
By beginning the mentoring process earlier, we aim to:
- Strengthen capacity for abstract writing and support participants in developing strong, competitive submissions
- Increase visibility and support for early-career professionals, particularly from underrepresented regions
- Provide mentoring and guidance to help participants—if selected—prepare and deliver confident, clear, and compelling presentations
- All participants in the programme will receive a bursary to attend SVRI Forum 2026 in Bangkok, regardless of whether their abstract is accepted for presentation.
One of the most beneficial outcomes of the YPP was the opportunity to gain insights and guidance from an experienced mentor with a deep understanding of gender-based violence in the region. This was invaluable in shaping my approach to presenting my study – SVRI Forum 2024 YPP Participant
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the YPP pre-abstract mentoring programme, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be 35 years of age or younger (born in 1990 or later)
- Be working in an area linked to a SVRI Forum 2026 theme
- Be committed to submitting an abstract to SVRI Forum 2026
- Have not previously received funding to attend a Forum
