It is our annual virtually administered collaborative and transnational research program that brings together young people and experts from around the world to foster a learning community. The purpose of this community is to help nurture a prepared youth voice for responsible and inclusive development. This preparation is undertaken through collaborative research, inclusive dialogues, robust policy analyses, and seminars on constructive discourses that run across geographies, generations, and disciplines. Details of past iterations can be found [here].

The program runs in cohorts with participants grouped in teams guided by common research preference. Each team has a dedicated research mentor/advisor for the entire duration of the program.  Participants indicate their research preference during the application process by selecting an Advisor considering their areas of interest. The team members in collaboration with their Advisors conceive, develop, and conclude research ideas to deliver a research output within a defined timeline.

The total duration of the program is 5 months divided into two phases:

1.  Phase I – Research Incubation
2. Phase II – Research Advancement & Conclusion

The initial phase spans a duration of almost 2 months. During this time, participants build their research capacity, develop their research areas, undertake discussions, and deliberate issues through Common Track and Content Exposure sessions and engagements with guest experts and assigned advisors.

The second phase lasts for 3 months and primarily focuses on fleshing out the research idea and entails concluding research projects for final dissemination as per defined guidelines (based on the nature of the project/theme). However, Advisor guidance and Content Exposure sessions continue until the end of the program.

The detailed program expectations will be shared with the final cohort post their selection.

 “This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.” Robert F. Kennedy,

Given the increasing youth population in the world, it is becoming increasingly important to equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to development processes. Youth capacity development is globally relevant to reducing poverty and closing the skill gap across the world. Research is an important avenue through which youth can acquire knowledge and skills to amicably contribute to solving problems in the world.

Youth people are known to be full of energy and have a passion to effect change and make things work. Therefore, youth need to be prepared intellectually, socially, behaviorally, physically, and mentally to make sound decisions. Investing in young people opens the door for more positive changes in society. Young people want to and are already contributing to changes in their communities through innovative social entrepreneurial initiatives, proposing innovative solutions in technology, sciences and driving change in all sectors. The Annual Research Program (ARP) sets the stage for young people to bridge the capacity gap and leverage on their ability to research for the creation of innovative approaches and solutions to their communities and at the same time create employment opportunities for themselves as well as their fellow youths.

The Annual Research Program is informed by aspects of human development and human capabilities for inclusive progress and collective prosperity. The program design primarily focuses on:

i) analytical abilities informed by research, praxis, and humility and
ii) network and collaborative engagement abilities driven by dialogues and democratic deliberations.

We believe these skills are essential to understand and address a wide array of development issues with a solution-oriented mindset.

1) Channeling youth potential through research, deliberation, engagement, and reflection for in-depth understanding of local and global development issues of relevance.

2) Supporting evidence-based research to promote inclusivity, sustainability and diversity in policy making practices and development discourse.

3) Fostering transnational cooperation and knowledge exchange among young researchers by developing joint research initiatives and establishing networking and collaborative platforms to promote cross-cultural understanding and sharing of ideas.

4) Mainstreaming local contexts with global discourse by exchanging perspectives on unique social, cultural, economic, and political dynamics of local communities against global developments.

YCR ARP program is a zero-budget volunteer-driven program, hence the selection of participants is strictly on two grounds:

• Individual value system and its alignment with organizational values
• Educational preparedness & Research Experience

Individual Researcher profiles will be evaluated on the grounds of their passion for development and their exhibition of humility, societal consideration, respect, and ability to engage with different opinions and thoughts.

Applicants should at least be in their third year of undergraduate degree with substantial understanding of research and research ethics. While professional research experience is not mandatory, applicants are expected to have engaged in research projects or coursework reflecting their understanding of research processes and its administration. There is no specific preference for discipline.

Age Limit:  35 years or younger.

• Last Date to Apply: September 25th, 2023
• Program Starts on: November 4th, 2023