Issued by: UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization
Submission deadline: 6 April 2026, 23:59 GMT+1
Background
Climate change is one of the most serious threats to global health in the twenty-first century. Its effects on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are wide-ranging – from adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes linked to extreme heat and flooding, to increased incidence of gender-based violence in the aftermath of climate shocks, to disrupted access to contraceptive and abortion care when health systems are overwhelmed. A WHO/HRP scoping review confirmed the breadth of these associations while also documenting critical evidence gaps, particularly for abortion care, contraception and broader sexual health issues. Evidence is especially sparse for studies applying an intersectional lens that accounts for how gender, age, disability, poverty and migration status interact with climate exposure to shape SRHR outcomes.
A 2024 WHO/HRP-led prioritisation exercise with SRHR and climate and environment experts produced a list of ten priority research questions at the intersection of climate-related events and SRHR and identified participatory and mixed methods as the most appropriate approaches for generating the evidence needed. Evidence has also shown that while some National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAP) include SRHR components, none addresses SRHR comprehensively.
This call responds directly to both findings. It focuses on four priority outcome areas – maternal health, gender-based violence, contraception and abortion care – and is grounded in the principle that communities most affected by climate change are best placed to define, study and help address the problems they face.
Application procedure
Interested teams must submit a completed proposal using the application form in this link. All proposals must be submitted by 06 April 2026, 23:59 GMT+1 through the online platform.
In addition, the following documents must be uploaded directly onto the platform before submission:
- Budget: a budget for the full study implementation using the Excel template provided.
- CVs: A short CV for the Principal Investigator and all key team members, using the provided template.
- Conflict of interest declaration: a completed COI form for the Principal Investigator and co-investigator using the form.