The University as a Facilitator for Community-Based Sustainable Solutions to Demographic Challenges in South Western Uganda (UCoBS) is a 10-year transformative initiative supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS). The project is a collaborative effort between Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and other Flemish higher education institutions.
About Project 4 – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) & Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH):
This subproject aims to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) outcomes in southwestern Uganda. It employs interdisciplinary, institutional, and operational research methodologies, with a focus on clinical and community-based mixed-methods research. The project also integrates innovative outreach and education strategies targeting adolescents, mothers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and community members.
The interventions focus on:
- Enhancing access to and utilization of adolescent reproductive health and family planning services
- Improving the quality of obstetric and newborn care through data-driven approaches
- Reducing gender-based violence (GBV)
- Training healthcare workers in labour monitoring, neonatal resuscitation, obstetric scanning, and maternal care
Capacity-building is a key component, with opportunities for staff and student exchange between MUST and Flemish institutions, supporting advanced research and PhD supervision.
Proposal call Details
- Purpose: To support short-term research projects focusing on adolescent reproductive health, within the broader theme of utilization of sexual reproductive services. The sub-themes should address utilization of sexual reproduction services among male adolescents and assess the impact of SRH among adolescents that benefited from SRH services that were provided by the P4 project.
- Funding Amount: €2,000
- Eligible Applicants: Academic staff members of the MUST community
- Number of awards: 1
- Duration of the Advert: 20th February – 09th March 2026
- Notification of Award: 31th March 2026
How to Apply:
submit your application to the program manager at [email protected]
Deadline for proposal submission: 09th February 2026
This funding opportunity is part of UCoBS’s commitment to empowering researchers to generate locally relevant, impactful knowledge that informs health policy, improves service delivery, and promotes gender equality in southwestern Uganda.
