Location: Nepal (National Program)
Timeline: Completed
Partners: AuthorAID and INASP
1. Objectives of the Project
Main Objective:
To strengthen the research capacity and professional growth of early-career women researchers in Nepal through structured mentorship and skills development.
Specific Objectives:
- Match early-career women researchers with experienced mentors who share similar research interests.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and career guidance through regular mentor–mentee interactions.
- Establish a sustainable platform — the Apara–AuthorAID Women Researcher Hub — for continued collaboration and support.
- Enhance mentees’ understanding of research methodologies, academic writing, and grant proposal development.
2. Project Area
The mentorship program was implemented nationally, bringing together women researchers from diverse institutions across Nepal.
- Focus Group: Early-career women researchers.
- Approach: Structured mentorship through paired learning agreements and regular meetings.
- Platform: Apara–AuthorAID Women Researcher Hub established for long-term engagement.
3. Snapshot of Project Activities
| S.N. | Activities |
|---|---|
| 3.1 | Announcement and selection of 5 early-career women researchers (mentees) |
| 3.2 | Matching mentees with mentors based on shared research interests |
| 3.3 | Inception workshop led by Dr. Buna Bhandari with support from Apara team and INASP representatives |
| 3.4 | Signing of learning agreements between mentors and mentees |
| 3.5 | Regular fortnightly mentorship meetings to discuss learning agendas |
| 3.6 | Establishment of the Apara–AuthorAID Women Researcher Hub for networking and collaboration |
| 3.7 | Webinar organized by Apara on “Grant Proposal Writing Techniques” for mentees |
| 3.8 | Continuous monitoring and support by Apara’s managing team to ensure program effectiveness |
| 3.9 | Documentation of mentorship outcomes and participant feedback |
4. Benefits of the Project
Capacity Development Benefits
- Enhanced research and academic writing skills among early-career women researchers.
- Improved understanding of grant proposal development and research funding processes.
Social and Professional Benefits
- Strengthened confidence and leadership among women in research.
- Expanded professional networks and peer support within the national research community.
- Fostered a culture of mentorship and collaboration for women in academia.
Institutional Benefits
- Established the Apara–AuthorAID Women Researcher Hub as a sustainable mentorship platform.
- Strengthened Apara Innovations’ commitment to gender equity and research leadership development.
5. Collaborators
- Apara Innovations
- AuthorAID
- INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications)
6. Project Lead
Dr. Buna Bhandari
Co-founder, Apara Innovations & Steward, AuthorAID
- Led the mentorship design, implementation, and facilitation process.
- Conducted the inception workshop and guided mentor–mentee engagement throughout the program.
7. Project Gallery
