Terms of Reference (TOR) for University Research Grant on Disability Inclusion

Terms of Reference (TOR)

University Research Grant on Disability Inclusion

1. Background

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), in partnership with CBM Global Disability Inclusion, is implementing the YATRA (Youth-Led Actions for Transformation Through Rights-Based Advocacy and Disability Movement) Project from Apr. 2026 to Mar. 2029. The project aims to strengthen the disability movement by empowering youth with disabilities, promoting evidence-based advocacy, enhancing the capacity of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and advancing disability-inclusive policies and governance in Nepal.

One of the key challenges identified by the project is the limited availability of quality academic research on disability issues in Nepal, particularly research that can inform policy, advocacy, and inclusive development. To address this gap, BYAN is launching the University Research Grant on Disability Inclusion to encourage graduate/Masters students to undertake research related to disability.

Through this initiative, BYAN seeks to promote disability-inclusive research, generate evidence for advocacy, strengthen collaboration between academia and the disability movement, and encourage future researchers to contribute to disability studies in Nepal.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to:

• Promote disability-focused academic research in Nepal.
• Generate evidence to support disability-inclusive policies, programmes, and advocacy.
• Encourage students to integrate disability perspectives into their academic research.
• Strengthen collaboration between universities, researchers, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
• Increase the availability of quality research on disability issues.

3. Research Grant

• Grant Amount: NPR 50,000 per selected research.
• The grant will be supported to the completion of a Master's thesis.
• The grant is intended to cover research-related expenses such as field visits, data collection, transcription, analysis, and report preparation.

4. Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in the Master's degree at a recognized university in Nepal.
• Have an approved or proposed thesis/dissertation topic.
• The proposed research must focus on disability or clearly integrate disability inclusion into the research.
• Students from all academic disciplines may apply.
• The research being conducted in Bagmati (Kathmandu and Chitwan), Madhesh (Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha) will be preferred, however, any other locations will also be equally considered. 
• Priority will be given to students from Social Sciences, including but not limited to:
  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology
  • Social Work
  • Public Health
  • Development Studies
  • Education
  • Political Science
  • Law
  • Anthropology
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration

Interdisciplinary research incorporating disability is mandatory.

5. Research Themes

Research proposals should focus on disability and may include, but are not limited to:

• Disability rights and inclusion
• Youth with disabilities
• Gender and disability
• Disability-inclusive education
• Disability-inclusive employment
• Accessibility and universal design
• Political participation of persons with disabilities
• Disability-inclusive governance
• Health and rehabilitation
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights and disability
• Disability-inclusive climate action
• Digital accessibility
• Social protection
• Indigenous persons with disabilities
• Intersectionality and disability
• Community-based inclusion
• Disability-inclusive budgeting and planning

6. Selection Process

The research grant will be awarded through a competitive selection process.

Stage 1: Call for Proposals

Interested students shall submit:

• Thesis proposal
• Citizenship
• Recommendation letter from academic supervisor 
• Proof of university enrollment (Submission of recent academic exam result)
• Academic certificates of Bachelor degree 

Stage 2: Technical Review

A Grant Selection Committee formed by BYAN will evaluate all proposals based on:

• Relevance to disability inclusion
• Originality and innovation
• Research methodology
• Practical relevance
• Feasibility
• Potential contribution to disability advocacy and policy
• Academic merit

Stage 3: Conditional Selection

Successful applicants will receive a conditional award notification indicating that the research grant has been approved.

However, no grant amount will be released at this stage.

Stage 4: University Approval

The selected applicant must obtain official approval of the thesis/research proposal from their respective college or university.

Documentary evidence of approval must be submitted to BYAN.

Stage 5: Grant Disbursement

Upon submission of the official university approval letter of final approval of thesis, BYAN will release the full grant amount (NPR 50,000 inclusive of all applicable taxes) as a lump-sum payment to the selected student.

7. Responsibilities of Grant Recipients

Selected students shall:

• Conduct the research in accordance with approved academic and ethical standards.
• Complete the thesis within the duration of 4 months timeline, unless otherwise specified in the agreement.
• Maintain regular communication with BYAN, if requested.
• Inform BYAN of any major changes in research objectives or methodology.
• Participate in dissemination activities organized by BYAN if requested.

8. Final Deliverables

Upon completion of the research, the grantee must submit:

• One (1) hard-bound copy of the final thesis.
• One digital copy (PDF) and accessible word version.
• Executive summary.
• Proof of successful thesis defense or final acceptance by the university (letter).

9. Intellectual Property and Publication

The intellectual property generated through this research shall be jointly recognized by the student researcher and the Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN).

BYAN shall retain the right to:

• Archive the thesis.
• Use the research findings for advocacy, policy dialogue, publications, training, and knowledge management.
• Publish or disseminate the research in print or digital formats.
• Acknowledge the researcher and the university/ college in the publications.

Wherever the research is subsequently published, presented, or disseminated including journal articles, conference papers, reports, or other publications the contribution of the Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) and the YATRA Project supported by CBM Global Disability Inclusion shall be appropriately acknowledged.

Any commercial use of the research findings by the researcher shall require prior written consent from BYAN.

10. Ethical Considerations

Researchers must:

• Obtain informed consent from participants.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ensure meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.
• Follow the ethical guidelines of their university and applicable national standards.

11. Duration

The grant shall remain valid until the successful completion of the approved thesis within the timeline prescribed by the respective university along with the contractual agreement with the BYAN.

12. Grant Management

The grant will be administered by the Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) under the YATRA Project, implemented in partnership with CBM Global Disability Inclusion.

The Grant Selection Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any application without assigning any reason. Its decision shall be final.

13. Contact Information

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN)

YATRA Project

Email: kmo@byanepal.org

Phone: 9714559949

Website: https://byanepal.org/