The APN Secretariat is pleased to announce its Proposal Development Training Workshop (PDTW) for the Southeast Asia region to be held from 26-30 April 2026, in Penang, Malaysia. The SEA-PDTW will advance APN’s strategic research interests and mission to address global change, with a spotlight on climate change and variability (CC&V) and disaster risk reduction (DRR), which falls under one of the Southeast Asia subregional priority topics as outlined in the APN Call for Proposals. Through a combination of presentations, group discussions and practical exercises, participants will gain a critical understanding of the field’s complex challenges and opportunities. They will learn how to identify research gaps, develop research questions, design methodologies and create compelling narratives for their proposals.

Considering limited financial resources and the numbers that can be accommodated for an effective workshop, participants will be selected on a “first come, first served” basis. For this reason, we encourage those interested in submitting their application before the deadline of Monday, 5 January (23:59 JST).

A. MAIN THEME

The workshop’s main theme is Climate Change and Variability and Disaster Risk Reduction. 

The Climate Change and Variability and Disaster Risk Reduction thematic area focuses on strengthening the scientific understanding, institutional capacity, and community preparedness necessary to build climate-resilient societies. It encourages participants to develop research and capacity-building proposals that bridge the gap between science, policy and practice — fostering collaboration among academia, government agencies, civil society, and local communities, while addressing global goals under the SFDRR, Paris Agreement and SDGs.

The following sub-themes will be addressed in the proposal development activities:

1. Integrating climate information into DRR planning, including the use of seasonal forecasts, climate projections, and risk modelling to support early action and preparedness.
2. Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and community-based monitoring mechanisms to provide timely and reliable information that can reduce loss and damage.
3. Heat stress and health vulnerability assessments, particularly in rapidly urbanising environments, where exposure to extreme temperatures poses growing risks to public health and productivity.
4. Nature-based and ecosystem-based approaches,  such as mangrove restoration, watershed management, and coastal protection, that deliver co-benefits for biodiversity and livelihoods, are essential for risk reduction and adaptation.

B. STRUCTURE OF THE WORKSHOP

The training workshop and other networking activities will take place over five full days, with the tentative schedule outlined in the table below.

Timetable

C. PARTICIPATION

The PDTW is open to early career professionals from Southeast Asia and working in the areas related to the workshop’s main theme. For this reason, applicants requiring funding support will ONLY be accepted from early career professionals who are from, living, and working in APN Southeast Asia member countries.

D. ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURES

1. Applicants must be early career scientists/practitioners of 40 years of age and under as of the application deadline. Applicants must be one of the following:
   1. An undergraduate degree holder with five years of related working experience;
   2. A postgraduate student working towards a PhD or Master’s degree (final year);
   3. A Master’s degree holder with three years of related work experience;
   4. A PhD degree holder with at least one year of working experience, or received their highest postgraduate degree within the previous ten years.
2. Applicants should be working in areas of, or have academic experience related to, the workshop’s main theme.
3. Applicants must have a good working knowledge of the English language.
4. Successful applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Applicants seeking funding support will only be accepted from early career professionals who are from, residing in, or working in the APN Southeast Asia member countries. 
6. Applicants applying on a self-funded basis may be from within or outside the subregion, but their area of work must be related to the theme of the workshop, and their project activities must be conducted within the Southeast Asia region. The applicant must also be from one of APN’s member or approved countries.

E. APPLICATION PROCESS 

1. Interested persons should complete the mandatory four steps outlined below.
2. Complete and submit the application form provided with this announcement for the TEA PDTW on the Asia-Pacific Network Information System (APNIS).
3. Submit resume/CV (maximum 2 pages) with minimum details: Full name, Nationality Date of Birth, Gender, Current Affiliation, Education/Employment History.
4. Submit a short motivation essay (300-400 words). The best essay will address the following questions in a narrative style: 
   1. How will this training workshop be important in your career development and what are the expected impacts?
   2. What is your research interest(s)?
   3. What is your motivation for undertaking regional-based Global Change research?
   4. Indicate which of the 2 sub-themes you are interested in (place in order of preference).
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from your supervisor indicating:
   1. Endorsement to attend the workshop. 
   2. How will the training workshop benefit the trainee’s research career?
   3. Commitment and consent as the supervisor of the trainee to encourage the trainee to submit regionally-based proposals (to APN or other funding bodies) and/or become engaged in regionally-based Global Change research. 

F. SPONSORSHIP

• Approximately 14 early career professionals will be selected for the training workshop. Financial support for sponsorship is available from APN, contingent on funding availability. 
• From each sub-regional member country, a minimum of two early-career professionals will be selected as recipients of APN financial support. Sponsorship for successful applicants will cover the cost of an economy-class air ticket, accommodation, meals and local transportation.  
• There is no registration fee to participate in this workshop.

G. APPLICATION DEADLINE

Monday, 5 January 2026, 23:59 (JST) on the APNIS interface.

Additional information 

• Participants of the workshop will be provided with breakfast and lunch during the event. 
• Participants who have previously attended APN PDTWs are ineligible to apply for this training workshop.
• Participants are required to commit to attending the full five days of events to gain the maximum benefit from the programme.

For additional queries, please contact the APN Secretariat via email to Ms Aiko Seki ([email protected]) and Ms Naomi Young ([email protected]) before 24 December 2025.