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MAXQDA Grants #ResearchForChange

Due to the overwhelming response and high demand for our MAXQDA Grants #ResearchForChange program, we are thrilled to announce that we will be expanding to provide even more opportunities for researchers.

Starting in 2023, we have decided to launch the MAXQDA Grants several times a year with three grants each under the banner of globally relevant theme months.

Pride Month

June 2023

Sustainability Month

October 2023

Black History Month

February 2024

Women Empowerment Month

April 2024

The first round took place in June 2023, coinciding with Pride Month and highlighting LGBTQI+ related research. Our second edition was in October 2023, highlighting research projects to fight against climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. To honor and celebrate Black History Month in February 2024 we aim to promote research related to Black history, empowerment, and against inequality based on ethnicity and race. April 2024 will be all about research on women’s social inequality in the wake of International Women’s Day and a call for papers for feminist research on women’s empowerment.

Are you researching topics around Black history, empowerment and inequality based on ethinicity and race? Then we’re teasing our third round of Grants in Black History Month 2024! More information will follow before the respective months.

Call for projects:

MAXQDA Grants in February 2024 – Black History Month

To continue our Grants in 2024 and to align with Black History Month, we want to focus thematically on research projects that center around Black history and Black empowerment, as well as injustice based on ethnicity or race . At VERBI, we are concerned about global political developments that are gradually increasing the marginalization of minorities. As an inclusive company whose values are deeply rooted in combating social inequality, we thus want to give researchers a necessary platform to give their research a well-deserved recognition. Therefore, we are looking for research papers, where the data is analyzed with MAXQDA, which serve the empowerment of Black individuals and communities in various ways (from various disciplines) and attempt to highlight and overcome the social inequality faced.

In recognition of the indispensable role of equal participation of Black people in all dimensions, we will support early career scientists with 3 Research Grants. Deadline for entries is 07 February 2024 – 11:59 pm (CET).

To do this, send us an abstract of your completed (or nearly completed) research project, a hypothesis, a detailed description of how MAXQDA was used in the project, and a brief biography of you as the researcher. Please try to limit yourself to 3-5 pages.

Together, we can make a difference by furthering our collective understanding and acceptance of diverse identities.

The deadline for applications was 7 February, 2024. Thank you for your numerous submissions! We are currently reviewing all projects and will publish our winners soon.

Congrats to the winners of the MAXQDA Grants 2024: Black History Month

Click on a winner to learn more about their research. Also a big thanks to all the other great projects. We were very happy about every submission.

Neisha Terry Young (She/Her)

We Get to Tell Our Stories’: Exploring the Affordances of Multiliteracies in Supporting the Identity Navigation of Black Immigrant Youth”. It is a study built around a three-week summer program “VOICES” (Vocalized: Identity Crafting and Exploration Series)

Research Objective: The goal of this research was to work with 17 Black immigrant youth to promote their agency in narrating their identities, while also generating theory about the processes involved in Black immigrant youths’ identity navigation and illuminating design principles to guide the adaptation of similar support programs. One of the aims of study was to test the conceptual framework, The Black Immigrant Identity Designing (BIID). It hypothesizes that introducing Black immigrant youth to the tools and processes of multiliteracies can lead participants to author diverse identity narratives that could counter the monolithic representations of Black immigrant identity in dominant discourse.

Abstract: The number of Black immigrant youth in United States (US) classrooms have increased exponentially over the last four decades. However, their visibility within US K-12 classrooms and in the broader society has been impacted by dominant discourses that position their identities within essentialized framings that broadly exclude their voices, which has impacted both their academic experiences and trajectories. This study advanced the implementation of a three week summer program, the ‘Vocalized: Identity Crafting and Exploration Series (VOICES),’ embedded within a local summer camp at an immigrant-serving non-profit organization. VOICES explored the affordances of a multiliteracies approach in the amplification of Black immigrant youth voices to disrupt the monolithic discourses surrounding their pluralistic identities. The findings that emerged from the data indicate that participants found the program useful in supporting their identity navigation as they authored complex narratives of connection across diasporic and academic identities. They also utilized the processes and tools of multiliteracies to reconstruct their identities in dominant discourse and to advocate agentively for themselves.

Methology: Data were collected via the collection of participant artifacts and recorded podcast episodes, as well as through observations, focus groups, and interviews. Data were analyzed in iterative rounds of retrospective analyses using open, axial, and selective coding (Williams & Moser, 2019). At the end of the program, data were analyzed using abductive coding (Tavory & Timmermans, 2014), as well as the metalanguages of multiliteracies (Cazden et al. 1996) and Gee’s discourse analysis (2014). The findings that emerged from the data indicate that participants found the program useful in supporting their identity navigation as they authored complex narratives of connection across diasporic and academic identities. They also utilized the processes and tools of multiliteracies to reconstruct their identities in dominant discourse and to advocate agentively for themselves.

How did MAXQDA help you? I used MAXQDA in several areas of this dissertation study, from the proposal stage to analyses. I first utilized MAXQDA to facilitate my literature review. I imported research articles from Zotero into MAXQDA and read each article, assigning relevant codes and creating memos. During the camp, I analyzed the data after each workshop, retrospective analysis I utilized MAXQDA in this process. I uploaded images of participant artifacts and transcripts from focus group discussions and interviews. I used MAXQDA tools to analyze connections among codes by creating word clouds and code maps and code books. I engaged in a similar process after the program’s implementation, and I utilized MAXQDA in a similar fashion to generate findings. I will combine my literature review with final analyses to examine convergence and divergence points. I will also create code maps and word clouds to help me visualize connections between the literature and my findings.

About the Author: Neisha Terry Young is a Ph.D. Candidate in Education Leadership and Policy at Drexel University. She has over 12 years of experience as a middle and high school educator in in various teaching and administrative roles, including PLC Leader, department supervisor, member of the principal advisory council, and behavior interventionist. Her research explores the affordances of multiliteracies in supporting the intersectional identities of Black immigrant youth. Neisha has received various recognitions and awards for her work, including the Drexel University School of Education Ann Marie Weil Award (2022) for Ph.D. students whose dissertation research contributes to making a difference through a better understanding of human needs. Neisha currently serves on the board of the American Education Research Association (AERA) and is the founding chair for the Penny Hammrich Teacher Recognition Program supported through the Drexel University McNichol Early Childhood Education Lab.

Michael Gonzalez, Jr. (he/they)

Exploring Sunscreen Use and Sun Safety Practices Among Black and Latinx Communities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Research Objective: The objectives of the study are to discern people of color (POC) perceptions of sunscreen products and identify the perceptions of sun safety practices. The rationale that underlies the proposed research is that POC are overlooked in sun protection literature, especially within the field of dermatology and not having relevant health resources that show darker skinned individuals, exacerbating the incidence of skin cancer rates among this population. The study addresses a relatively unexplored topic related to environmental and public health, incorporating the recent FDA’s proposed order on sunscreen safety. The findings will provide insight into a metropolitan city with racial-ethnic diversity, discerning the perceptions of sunscreen use among Black and Latinx individuals. Research will generate a thick description of cultural and social lived experiences and realities among Black and Latinx communities.

Abstract: Using sunscreen is the most common sun protection practice used among people who have a high perceived risk to developing skin cancer. Sunscreen products are not frequently used among young people of color (POC) due to a belief that their skin color/tone protects them from sun exposure. The literature continuously reports how POC have worse prognoses of skin cancer and are diagnosed at more advanced stages when compared to their white counterparts. The proposed research departs from the status quo of focusing on sunscreen use among white populations and is recruiting participants from communities of color who get overlooked by medical research, specifically in dermatology. It is a public health concern as racial-ethnic skin cancer disparities continue to rise among people of color. Improvement of sun safety health campaigns by targeting POC and guiding the creation of health education resources that are culturally tailored and inclusive for darker skinned individuals.

How did MAXQDA help you? I use MAXQDA in analyzing the literature, coding interview transcripts and Reddit posts. I am using features such as codes, memos and Question-Themes-Theories (QTT). For current research, MAXQDA helps with coding, finding potential patterns and categories. It keeps me organized when I conduct thematic analysis

About the Author: Michael is a first-generation Doctoral Candidate studying Environmental Health Sciences at the Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Additionally, Michael enrolled for the Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate with an interest in fund development and the environmental subsector. While in the fourth year of the doctoral program, Michael is working on recruiting participants for their dissertation, where they intend to examine perspectives regarding sunscreen use among Black and Latinx communities. They will use a qualitative approach consisting of semi-structured interviews to provide a thick description of the lived experiences. Further, Michael is part of a research team funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Policies for Action program, exploring community perceptions and policy action steps after Milwaukee County declared Racism As A Public Health Crisis.

Ozge Yenigun

A differential approach to refugee labor market inclusion in Germany: Unraveling government policies and local responses

Research Objective: The study contributes to the current literature on local responses to migration by investigating how local organizations, including city municipalities and civil society groups, play a role in either reinforcing or challenging the federal government’s differential approach to refugee economic inclusion. Additionally, it incorporates an analysis of local immigrant integration plans and projects developed by city governments and municipalities.

Abstract: The refugee influx of 2015 presented a significant challenge to Germany, as it received approximately half of the 3.1 million asylum applications. The federal government adopted a strategy prioritizing early labor market integration for refugees. This strategy revealed a differential approach in which distinct groups received varying treatment based on their country of origin. As a result, not all asylum seekers and refugees enjoyed unrestricted access to integration suppor. The establishment of this stratification occurred post-2016 through the implementation of regulations that restrict access to language and integration courses, vocational training, and the labor market for a specific subset of refugees. The paper reveals that the government’s policies restrict access based on country of origin and introduce a new approach where refugees are chosen for their perceived motivations to be integrated into the society as well as their perceived value to the German labor market.

How did MAXQDA help you? To analyze the collected data, I employed MAXQDA. Codes were developed based on emerging information, helping to understand refugees’ experiences and the support provided by various local organizations in each city. Triangulation through data collection from a variety of organizations enhanced the credibility and robustness of my findings. Memoing throughout the process provided a structured record of my thoughts and interpretations, contributing to the depth and reflexivity of the research. I developed analysis categories, and aligned text segments with the them, ensuring a structured examination. MAXQDA allowed for the creation of sub-categories, refining the coding structure in response to evolving patterns specific to each city and experiences of refugees who belong to diverse countries of origin, race, and ethnicites. Post-coding, the software’s analysis options, including visual tools and case/group comparisons facilitated a nuanced interpretation of the data

About the Author: Ozge Yenigun is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she obtained her PhD in Urban and Regional Planning in May 2023. Ozge’s research interests include immigration, civil society organizations, labor markets and local economic development. She works with community organizations and local governments in Europe and the United States to help promote immigrant inclusion through local action. Ozge’s dissertation project examined the role of local organizations and policies in affecting refugees’ labor market access and participation in Germany. She analyzed how governmental and nongovernmental organizations build support and institutional capacity for the inclusion of refugees in work and society at the local scale, with a focus on labor market access and mobility, language learning and skill development.

  • Black History Month 2024: Honorable Mentions
    • Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Umeh (He/Him/His)

      “Arts-Based Participatory Research with Black Refugee Youth: Challenges, Successes, and Potential for Identity Development and Belonging”

      Research Objective: The study describes an arts-based participatory action research project to support identity development, social integration, and belonging for Black refugee newcomer youth through photovoice and filmmaking workshops.The research describes the challenges and successes of initiating and navigating community-based participatory research and insights about migration and settlement experiences.

    • Rafael Bittencourt Rodrigues Lopes (He/Him/His)

      “Development studies when Black people matter: The social justice thought by Black Brazilian thinkers from colonization until reparation”

      Research Objective: Considering exclusions suffered by Black people in Brazil, it is possible to think of new dialogues from different experiences. Contributions can come from the lyrics of the samba-enredos in the Carnaval, Rap poetry, slam,etc. The objective is to organize the arguments found in expression by Black people in Brazil about their views on socialj ustice since the slavery and colonization until nowadays, with a fragile democracy with cretive reparation policies created from the pression of the Black People Unified Movement.

    • Guillermo Samuel Tovar-Sanchez (He/Him/His)

      “Barriers and Bridges in the Human Right to Education: Access to Scientific, Technological and Humanistic Education for Women in Multicultural Communities of Puebla and Veracruz”

      Research Objective: The project aims to analyze the challenges faced by indigenous and Afro-descendant women from communities where about 70% of inhabitants live in poverty and face social marginalization. We intend to examine the sociocultural and political barriers to accessing education using a mixed methodology. The aim is to develop collaborative policies promoting truly inclusive education and transformative community governance for young indigenous and Afro-descendant women.

Research Scholarship

A one-time $500 cash scholarship (in the currency of your home banking institution)

Free License

A free two-year license for MAXQDA Analytics Pro (min. $350.00 value) for you or a friend

MAXQDA Training Voucher

Valid for all official MAXQDA trainings of certified trainers

VIP Customer Service

VIP customer service from the MAXQDA technical support

Professional Exchange

Participation in the MAXQDA Community

Exposure & Publicity

Your research will be featured on the MAXQDA website and social media

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am conducting research, but I am not focusing on a related topic. Do I still qualify?

    No, not this time. The Grants #ResearchForChange has a different thematic focus every time, it will be awarded in the future to researchers working on another topic. The applicant must be conducting or intending to conduct qualitative or mixed-methods research focused on Black history, empowerment and inequality based on ethnicity and race in the areas of political participation, peace and conflict, economic participation, social development, health, environment, human rights, or other related areas. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to hear about our latest projects, including grants.

  • I am not registered as a student this semester. Am I still eligible to apply?

    Yes. The Grants #ResearchForChange are awarded to early career scientists. This includes all of those currently enrolled as a student in any higher education program, or recent graduates who have received their degree no longer than three years ago.

  • I am collecting my data in a language different from English and will be writing my thesis in a different language as well. Am I still eligible?

    Yes. We welcome applicants working in any language. MAXQDA is available in 13 languages and is used by thousands of researchers in more than 150 countries. It is also a fully unicode-compliant software meaning that you can import, code and analyze your data in any language you choose. 

    We require that the application form is filled out in English and that any material submitted to us is in English. This does not exclude non-native speakers. However, you should feel confident enough in your language abilities to write texts and present your research in English.

  • We are conducting research in a team. Can we apply together?

    No. The Grants #ResearchForChange are to be applied for and received as an individual researcher. If the research is done in conjunction with a team and the grant recipient wishes to pass on their scholarship, then that it is up to their discretion. However, the MAXQDA license and training sessions will only be issued to the grant recipient and are non-transferable.

  • I am applying for/receiving other scholarships/grants. Am I still eligible to apply?

    Yes. The Grants #ResearchForChange can be in combination with another scholarship or grant, if you wish so. The grant will be awarded based on the following criteria: The relevance and applicability of the theme: „ “Embracing LGBTQI+ Pride“  which should be described in the letter of motivation; originality and creativity of the research proposal; a well-defined research question; description of the research methods in the field and analysis methodology using MAXQDA.

  • When will the research scholarship be awarded?

    The application deadline for this year‘s Grant is the 15th of June, 2023. We will select the three grant recipients shortly thereafter (June 22th at the latest) and then the researchers will receive their cash scholarship by the 30st of June 2023 at the latest.

    VERBI Software will wire 500 USD (converted into the researcher’s preferred/home currency) via bank transfer. The MAXQDA Analytics Pro licenses (for you or a friend) will be awarded via e-mail and the voyager for the MAXQDA Training Session will be provided separately.

  • What do I need to submit to participate?

    We need an abstract of your finished (or nearly finished) research project, a hypothesis, a detailed description of how MAXQDA was used in the project, and a short biography of you as a researcher. Try to limit yourself to 3-5 pages.

  • If I am awarded the grant, what deliverables do I need to submit?

    We will ask you to provide us 2-3 high resolution pictures of you and your project to use it on our website and social media to present your research.

Previous Themes and Grant Recipients

  • 2020: Sustainability and Sustainable Development

    Sara Aly El-Sayed

    Sara researched regenerative practices that farmers in arid regions in Southwest and North Africa are creating.

    Brittany Jones

    Brittany investigated Land Banks to highlight the barriers they create through racial and capitalistic land transfer programs that slow progressive urban food governance.

    Andreas Holzinger

    Andreas investigated how people-centered external actors such as the African Union and European Union to construct their peace efforts.

    Bruno Miguel de Jesus Cardoso

    Bruno’s work focused on the questions of the barriers forestall energy efficiency in the water sector.

  • 2021: Climate Change and Climate Action

    Camila Gonçalves Castro

    Camila researched the environmental, economic and social rebound effects of implementing digital technologies.

    Lucien Wobembong

    Lucien analysed what the forces of change are behind pushing society’s desire to decarbonize.

    Tan Nguyen Quang

    Tan’s research looked at how small-scale tourism enterprises response to climate change in Vietnam’s coastal destinations.

  • 2022: Empowering Women and Girls

    Margarita Osipova

    Safety of women in the cities around the world: exploration of context space and requirements for Smart City solutions.

    Stanley Ojekere

    Capability Approach to Inclusive Mobility and Safety of Public School Girls with Disability.

    María de la Paz Chávez Vargas

    Political participation of indigenous women in different contexts of community autonomy: the cases of Mexico City, Michoacán and Chiapas

    Ally Zlatar

    The Meeting Point: A Visual Arts Investigation into Understanding Diaspora, Migration Embodiment

The #ResearchforChange grant is an initiative of VERBI Software that aims to support researchers, research projects, and networks. The grant provides financial support and methodological training for early career researchers whose work aims to investigate, support and raise awareness of empowerment initiatives.