Paula Kantor Award
In 2015, ICRW created the Paula Kantor Award, in memory of our former colleague Dr. Paula Kantor, who died in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan in May 2015. Dr. Kantor was senior scientist of gender and development at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and former senior rural development specialist at the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW).
Dr. Kantor was a leading expert on gender issues in international development, with nearly 20 years of experience in policy and program research related to integrating gender into agriculture and rural development. Dr. Kantor’s work was largely driven by her passion to improve the lives of women and girls, especially in low- and middle-income countries and conflict-prone areas. She was a prolific researcher who worked in several initiatives across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
In the spirit of Paula’s legacy of supporting applied research to advance the economic and social well-being of women in low-income and otherwise marginalized communities worldwide, this annual award is given to a young professional woman researcher doing field research related to ICRW’s mission, along with a US$2,500 cash prize.
Eligibility
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- The award is open to women researchers under the age of 40 who are citizens of countries located in a low- or middle-income country;
- The research or body of work may be conducted in any country, including the United States, but must take place in low-income or otherwise marginalized communities, with a primary focus on gender equity and women’s and girls’ empowerment;
- Social science research should contribute to filling gaps in evidence, which are important to understanding the best solutions for improving the lives of women, girls, and other marginalized populations. The research methodology may utilize quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods;
- The outcomes of the research should have been shared with the research community, and/or with relevant stakeholders with respect to the nominees’ work.
- Findings should have been disseminated through relevant reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, multi-media campaigns, or similar communications channels. Co-authored publications or joint dissemination activities are also permissible.
- Research that is being undertaken as part of an advanced degree requirement is not eligible. For research of this nature, please see ICRW’s Mariam K. Chamberlain Dissertation Award.
Deadline & Award Process
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- The deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. EST, Friday, September 13th, 2024
- Nominators should complete the nomination form and submit the additionally required documentation by the April 2nd deadline.
- The award committee will evaluate the nominees and their work and select the winner, who will be notified, and whose name will be announced on this webpage along with a short abstract of their work. We hope to notify the award winner in early May 2023.
- For more information about the Paula Kantor Award, please contact [email protected].
Guidelines for Nominations
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- Nominations must be made by a third party. Researchers cannot nominate themselves;
- The professional work for which a nominee is being nominated must be based primarily in a low-income or otherwise marginalized community;
- For nominations to be considered, the nomination form and the questionnaire highlighting the nominee’s contributions and why they’re deserving of the award must be fully completed.
- Responses on the questionnaire should be focused and succinct and document the impact and relevance of the nominee’s contributions. A curriculum vitae and biography must also be included in the nomination submission.
Evaluation Criteria
The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on the following:
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- The nominee’s use of a robust research methodology following ethical protocols for conducting research;
- The nominee’s use of innovative practices within the program’s activities and their implementation, and measures to ensure sustainability;
- A strong gender-focused conceptualization of research/body of work, with appropriate and relevant data-gathering techniques, analysis, and interpretations. This exercise may or may not be linked to specific programs or evaluations.
Selection Committee
The nominees will be evaluated by an initial screening panel appointed by ICRW and the nominees who pass this screening will be shortlisted for evaluation by an independent selection committee of development practitioners, academics and researchers, business professionals, policy experts, and civil society leaders with deep knowledge of the field of gender and international development.
Past Paula Kantor Award Recipients
Dr. Carolina de Vargas Nunes Coll I 2023
Dr. Carolina de Vargas Nunes Coll is a research fellow with Wellcome Trust, the International Center for Equity in Health and the Human Development and Violence Research Centre at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. She completed her PhD in Epidemiology and Master's in Science at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil and a doctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford (UK) in the Psychiatry Department. Her research focuses on the intersection of violence against women and girls and health inequality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and examines the intergenerational effects of violence against women across the life cycle, including the effects on maternal and child outcomes.
Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed | 2022
Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed is assistant professor of global media at the University of Georgia. Born and raised in Tamale, Ghana, Dr. Mohammed completed her PhD in Mass Communications with a minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and an African Studies concentration at the Bellisario College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University. Her research examines the way that the lived experience of marginalized people are shaped by and represented in media, as well as how media can be used as a tool of resistance in the face of imperialism and colonization.
Dr. Farhana Rahman | 2021
Dr. Farhana Rahman is a fellow at the Harvard University Asia Center and the co-founder of Silkpath Relief Organization. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge, Centre for Gender Studies. She also works as a consultant providing technical expertise and trainings for international projects with organizations such as UN Women, UNDP, USAID and others. Originally from Bangladesh, Dr. Rahman has extensive experience researching the gendered effects of forced migration, gender-based violence in (post-)conflict situations, and the innovative coping mechanisms employed by marginalized women as a means of self-empowerment.
Dr. Jabulile Mavuso | 2020
Dr. Mavuso is Research Associate for the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research program at Rhodes University, South Africa, where she obtained her PhD in Psychology. She is also a member of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition. A feminist, her activism centers on sexual and reproductive freedom and justice, and she encompasses her research and teaching interests in gender, race, sexualities and reproduction.
Dr. Otibho Obianwu | 2019
Dr. Otibho Obianwu is one of two winners of the 2019 Paula Kantor Award. Otibho is a Program Manager at the Population Council, Nigeria, where she designs and conducts research studies on female genital mutilation/cutting(FGM/C) and serves as the Nigeria focal point for the Evidence to End FGM/C programme consortium. She also has experience implementing HIV prevention programs targeted at men who have sex with men and persons who use drugs in Nigeria.
Dr. Jocelyn Kelly | 2019
Dr. Jocelyn Kelly is one of two winners of the 2019 Paula Kantor Award. Jocelyn is the Director for Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s (HHI) Women in War program, where she designs and implements projects to examine issues relating to gender, peace and security in fragile states. Her work focuses on understanding and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking in complex crises, with an emphasis on specially examining mechanisms for social cohesion and resilience.
Dr. Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga | 2017
Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga won the 2017 Paula Kantor Award. Violeta shares Paula’s dedication to gender equality and to promoting women’s health and rights. She is a prolific activist who has already made numerous outstanding achievements, is a powerful advocate for ending gender-based violence and a recognized global leader in the HIV movement.
Dr. Eunice Muthengi | 2016
Eunice Muthengi was the 2016 award winner. Muthengi is a researcher with the Population Council in Kenya, leading investigations into effective strategies to improve the reproductive health, education and economic potential of adolescent girls.
Dr. Soumya Gupta | 2015
Soumya Gupta was the inaugural Paula Kantor Award winner. On January 20, ICRW awarded Soumya Gupta with the inaugural Paula Kantor Award for Excellence in Field Research, which honors the work of an up-and-coming research focused on alleviating gender inequality. Gupta’s work focuses on the linkages between agriculture systems and women’s empowerment and in turn, how these affect nutritional outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I apply?
Submit an online application via the nominate button. Within the application, there are questions to answer directly on the form, as well as places to upload supplemental material, including the nominee’s CV and current biography.
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What does the application process entail?
The application is split into 4 parts:
1. Nominee Information: including name, contact information, demographic information, and eligibility criteria of the nominee.
2. Nominator Information: including name and contact information about the nominator.
3. Nomination Questionnaire: including long-form questions about the nominee’s research activities, the nominee’s background and previous work, and the impact, innovation, and contributions of the nominee’s research.
4. Application Supplements: including the nominee’s CV and current biography. -
Does the application have to be sent by the application due date, or does it have to be received by that date?
Applications and all supporting materials must be electronically submitted by no later that 11:59pm EST on the due date.
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Can I provide supplementary materials with my application, such as an article or video?
Please do not provide supplementary materials beyond what is requested in the application. We will request additional materials as needed.
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Is there are interview component to the application?
No
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When will the final winner be notified?
The selection process usually takes 4-8 weeks from the application due date.
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How do I know if my project has won the award?
Due to the high volume of submissions, only the winner of the award will be contacted. The winner of the award will be announced on the ICRW webpage.
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Can I nominate someone who is a U.S. citizen?
No. U.S. citizens are not eligible for this award. The nominee must be a researcher who identifies as a woman and is a citizen of a low- or middle-income country.
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The nominee is turning 40 during the application cycle. Are they still eligible?
The nominee must be under 40 years of age by the due date of the current application cycle.
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The nominee is completing their research as part of their advance degree, such as their Ph.D. or Master’s degree. Are they eligible for this award?
No. Research that is being undertaken as part of an advanced degree requirement is not eligible. For research of this nature, please see ICRW’s Mariam K. Chamberlain Dissertation Award.
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What is the selection process for the awardee?
The nominees will be evaluated by an initial internal screening panel and the nominees who pass this screening will be shortlisted for evaluation by an independent selection committee of development practitioners, academics and researchers, business professionals, policy experts, and civil society leaders with deep knowledge of the field of gender and international development.
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What criteria will be considered in the selection process?
The internal and external selection committees, comprised of experts in the field, will consider the following: the nominee’s qualifications and research activities; the contribution of the activities to advancing women’s empowerment and gender equity; evidence of scientific excellence and innovation; and the nominee’s background in leadership, service, and publications.
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How many nominees can I nominate?
As many as you would like. Please ensure that all individuals you nominate are eligible for the award.
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Will ICRW give feedback if my application is not chosen?
No. ICRW will now comment on applications after making the award decision. All applications and supporting materials become the property of ICRW and, as such, will not be returned.
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The nominee is currently applying to other awards as well. If they receive the Paula Kantor Award, can they simultaneously apply for other awards?
Yes
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What is the award amount?
The award is a cash prize of $2,500.
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How many awards are made annually?
One award. There will be one nominee receiving the award each year.
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How may the winner spend the award?
There are no restrictions on how or when the prize money may be spent.
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How long do I have to spend the award?
There are no restrictions on how or when the prize money may be spent.
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Does this award require the winner to relocate?
No
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Are there other ways to be connected to ICRW and its work?
Yes. Joining our email list is the best way to stay up to date on our current activities. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.
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Is there an opportunity to continue working with ICRW after the award period ends?
This award does not lead to a paid staff position at ICRW. However, we encourage all nominees and winners to join our network, check our current job postings on our website, and continue sharing your work with ICRW!
If you have additional questions, comments, or concerns contact our awards team at [email protected].