Penang, Malaysia — 15 December 2025 — The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Proposal Development Training Workshop (PDTW), scheduled to take place in Penang, Malaysia from 26–30 April 2026. The workshop aims to build research and proposal writing capacity among early-career professionals focusing on climate and disaster risk challenges in the Southeast Asian region.
Organised under APN’s capacity-building agenda, this five-day, in-person workshop will provide participants with practical training on developing competitive research proposals that address critical issues related to climate change and variability as well as disaster risk reduction (DRR) — both priority topics in APN’s regional research agenda.
What Participants Will Do
The workshop combines expert presentations, group discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to sharpen skills in:
- Identifying research gaps and framing research questions.
- Designing robust methodologies.
- Writing persuasive narratives for funding proposals.
- Engaging in science-policy dialogues and team-based review sessions.
Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities and a field trip on the final day to enrich practical understanding and cross-regional collaboration.
Who Can Apply
The PDTW is open to early-career professionals under 40 with academic or professional experience relevant to the workshop theme. Eligible applicants include:
- Final-year postgraduate students,
- Master’s or PhD holders with relevant experience,
- Practitioners working in related climate or disaster risk fields.
Financial support will be offered to a limited number of participants from APN Southeast Asia member countries, covering travel, accommodation, meals, and local transportation. Self-funded applicants may also participate if they meet the eligibility criteria.
How to Apply
Prospective participants are urged to complete the application via the APN Information System (APNIS) and submit the required documents — including a CV, a motivational essay, and a supervisor’s recommendation letter — well before the deadline of Monday, 5 January 2026 (23:59 JST).
There is no registration fee, and previous attendees of APN PDTWs are not eligible for this edition.
Link to official website : APN Global Change Research
Author
Gagan Tripathi is an agripreneur, plant scientist, and author known for his work in agritech innovation and sustainable horticulture. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Plant Orbit, a horticulture-focused startup dedicated to making healthy, scientifically managed plants accessible to urban and institutional consumers. Born in 2000, Gagan holds a master’s degree in Agriculture Extension and Communication, blending agricultural science with entrepreneurship and community outreach. He is also the author of the bestseller “Roadmap to Your Healthy Succulents”. His work focuses on sustainable plant care, green entrepreneurship, and building impact-driven agri startups in India.
