The Southeast Asian Coalition for Academic Freedom is a regional network hosted by the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University in Thailand, working alongside the Scholars at Risk network.
For 2026 the coalition supports four research projects, one under each of its themes: collective action in defence of academic freedom, monitoring indicators fitted to the region, neoliberal pressures on universities such as rankings and publish-or-perish culture, and the effects of artificial intelligence on knowledge production.
Researchers work from their own countries, meet online, and present their findings at policy dialogues in Bangkok in September and October 2026. Each project ends in a full report and a policy brief that SEACAF translates and publishes. The 2026 round closed on 10 April 2026 and the site announces no date for a further call.
Benefits & funding
- Research grant of 90,000 Thai baht per project, covering expenses related to data collection.
- Translation of the research outputs into local languages.
- Publication and dissemination of the report and the policy brief by SEACAF.
- Support to attend the policy dialogue sessions in Bangkok.
- A virtual kickoff meeting and online regional research meetings.
- A research mentor may be assigned to emerging scholars.
Eligibility
- Open to individual researchers and to research teams.
- In-depth knowledge of human rights, academic freedom, and higher education in the applicant’s own country.
- Strong research experience with a record of publications on relevant topics.
- Proven experience working with civil society.
- Availability for online regional meetings and for the policy dialogues in Bangkok.
- Emerging scholars are encouraged to apply.
- The call page states no nationality, residency, age, gender, degree, or minimum-years requirement.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Read the call page and choose one of the four research themes.
- 2Prepare a research proposal under that theme, including the data-collection work the grant would cover.
- 3Submit the proposal through the online application form linked on the call page.
- 4Wait for the selection announcement, then join the virtual kickoff meeting.
Program timeline
Application deadline, 23:59 GMT+7.
Apr 10, 2026
Selected researchers announced.
Apr 20, 2026
Virtual kickoff meeting.
Apr 30, 2026
First draft due.
Jul 31, 2026
Final report of 12,000 to 15,000 words and policy brief due.
Aug 31, 2026
Policy dialogues, publication, and dissemination.
2026-09 to 2026-12