Call for Participants: Join the VREF Graduate Research Academy 2026 (limited financial support available) in Bangkok, Thailand
Closing Date: 15 June 2026
Call for Participants: Join the VREF Graduate Research Academy 2026 (limited financial support available) in Bangkok, Thailand
Graduate Research Academy 2026 – Call for Participants
Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) is pleased to share the Call for Applications for the Graduate Research Academy 2026, taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 23–25, 2026. This year’s academy focuses on Informal and Shared Mobility (ISM) in a Comparative Perspective: Collaborative and Peer Learning for Sustainable Transitions. Organized by the Chulalongkorn University Transportation Institute (CUTI) in collaboration with VREF:s International Research Program PRISM and a network of leading global academic partners, the program offers a unique platform for graduate students to engage with the structural and practical realities of informal transport.
Overview
VREF invites Master’s and PhD students working on ISM across diverse geographic and thematic contexts to apply. The Academy is organized in connection with the inaugural Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility (GloCon), to be held on October 26–28, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend GloCon, where they can engage with a broader international community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, offering opportunities to expand their networks beyond the Academy.
Focus and Theme
The 2026 edition focuses on informal and shared mobility (ISM) across diverse urban and regional contexts. VREF welcomes case studies that engage with, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Digitization and platformization
- Livelihoods, labor, and capacity development
- Governance, regulation, and political economy
- Gender, inclusion, and equitable access
- Low-carbon transitions and environmental impacts
- Public health and safety
- Integration with public transport and other mobility modes
Who Should Apply
VREF invites applications from Master’s and PhD students whose work engages with informal and shared mobility across diverse contexts
Applicants should:
- Be currently enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application
- Be working on a specific ISM-related case study
- Have access to empirical material (e.g., fieldwork, data, or documented experience)
- Demonstrate interest in comparative analysis and collaborative work
What Participants Will Do
Selected participants will:
- Present and discuss their case studies in a collaborative setting
- Engage in comparative group work with other participants
- Contribute to the development of joint outputs, such as early drafts of:
- o Comparative academic papers
- Policy briefs
- Joint research proposals
(Participants are not expected to produce finalized outputs during the program.) Participants may also take part in selected sessions or activities associated with the Global
Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility (GloCon 2026).
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit:
- A CV (maximum 2 pages)
- A completed case study proposal using the official template
Selection Criteria
The selection process aims to ensure a diverse and interdisciplinary cohort of participants.
Selection will be based on:
- The quality and clarity of the submitted case study
- Relevance to the Academy’s thematic focus
- The potential for comparative contribution across different contexts
- The applicant’s motivation and potential to actively contribute to the program
Important Dates
- 15 April 2026 Call opens
- 15 June 2026 Submission deadline
- 15 July 2026 Notification of acceptance
- 31 July 2026 Confirmation from participants
- 23-25 October 2026 Graduate Research Academy 2026
- 26-28 October 2026 Global Convening on Informal and Shared Mobility
Financial Support
Participation in the Graduate Research Academy is free of charge. However, participants are expected to cover their own travel and related expenses unless otherwise indicated.
For all selected participants:
- Accommodation in Bangkok will be provided for up to 6 nights (22–27 October 2026).
- Breakfast will be provided at the hotel.
- Lunch will be provided during the Graduate Research Academy sessions (23–25 October 2026).
- A welcome dinner will be organized during the program. Other dinners are not
- included.
- For a limited number of participants: Partial travel support may be available, subject to budget availability.
Financial support will be allocated on a competitive basis, taking into account factors such as need, geographic diversity, and the overall composition of the cohort. Selected participants may still be required to cover part of their travel and subsistence costs. Final decisions regarding the allocation and level of support will be made by the organizing team.
Click Here To Apply
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