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Research and Travel Grants

Stanford student visiting Baalbek

We invite proposals from continuing undergraduate, co-term and graduate students for projects pertaining to the study of Islam as well as Muslim-majority or Muslim-minority communities and societies.

Projects may focus on any historical period and on Muslim-majority or Muslim–minority contexts.  Projects may be pursued during the Summer Quarter or the next academic year.  Awards will be up to $6,000 and made on a competitive basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for matching funds from other Stanford units or external agencies. 

The following types of projects are supported:

  1. Intensive language study 
    The proposed course of language study must be integral to the applicant’s academic or professional development. Priority will be given to training in languages not offered on campus or for advanced training in languages where the student has exhausted campus resources.
  2. Fieldwork or Advanced Research Projects
    Priority will be given to projects that may lead to a senior or honors thesis.
  3. Study Abroad Programs (undergraduate students)
    Funds may be used to fully or partially defray the costs of attending an overseas study program with an academic focus on Islam or Islam-adjacent topics as well as any topics related to Muslim-majority or -minority societies and communities.

The deadline for the current cycle for academic year 2023-2024 is Friday, March 22, 2024. Subscribe for to the student email list for future announcements and updates.

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Application procedure

To apply, submit the follow through the application form:

  1. Project proposal (1 page) with details of your intended course of study, research or fieldwork
  2. Budget estimate for your proposed activity
  3. CV or resume
  4. One letter of recommendation from a Stanford faculty member, i.e. thesis advisor or research supervisor (name and contact)
  5. If applying for language study, an additional letter from a language instructor is required.
Eligibility

Undergraduate, co-term, and graduate students at Stanford are eligible to apply. Applicants must be continuing students  for the duration of grant project or study (i.e. graduating seniors may be ineligible). Preference will be given to students in Islamic studies-related degree programs (e.g. Islamic Studies minor, MELLAC, and M.A. and Ph.D. programs in the humanities and social sciences).

Allowable expenses

The grant may be used for travel, lodging, and living costs associated with off-campus research or training; the purchase of research materials; research-related services (e.g. duplication costs, production of questionnaires/surveys, human subject costs, data entry, transcribing interviews, running focus groups); and costs associated with training (e.g. tuition,  registration fees, tutoring costs).

Note: travel is subject to the university's travel policy at the time of the grant project. Please check the latest regional and country-specific travel advisories.

The grant may not be used for the purchase of equipment (e.g. computer, recording equipment) and software; or travel costs to attend or present at professional conferences.

Requests must be for expenses that are not covered through other sources of funding. Applicants may, and are encouraged to, simultaneously apply for other sources of funding, but may not accept multiple sources of funding for the same expenses. The itemized budget should clearly list sources of confirmed and/or pending funding.