Deadline: 10-Dec-2025
The Qatar Foundation International (QFI) is inviting researchers to submit proposals for its focused initiative to enhance the teaching and learning of Arabic in primary and secondary schools.
QFI’s Research Agenda identifies five Priority Areas focused on the teaching and learning of Arabic in primary and secondary schools: Arabic as a Global Language, Teacher Pipeline, Teaching About Arab Culture, Motivation to Include Arabic in School Offers, and Students. Research generated through this agenda aims to expand and enrich existing literature while informing QFI’s programming. Building on the progress of this year’s Forum, the current Call for Proposals emphasizes the remaining priority research questions.
This Call invites research and action research addressing specific Research Areas and Questions. For the Teacher Pipeline, the key question is: What approaches to teacher development are effective for teachers of Arabic? In Teaching About Arab Culture, the focus is: How can critical cultural competence be taught effectively to different categories of learners? Regarding Motivations to Include Arabic in School Offers, the research centers on: What resources are available for teaching Arabic at various levels to students of diverse backgrounds, and how effective are they?
In the Students area, research questions include: How can valid, reliable, inclusive, and fair assessments of proficiency be designed for learners from diverse backgrounds? How can instruction and materials be adapted to meet the needs of learners at different levels within the same classroom across various language skills? How can heritage learners develop a positive sense of identity through Arabic learning? What strategies can learners employ to improve skills in reading, writing, listening, vocabulary, and other areas? How can students be encouraged to use Arabic both inside and outside the classroom?
To be eligible for this QFI research grant, proposed research must take place in classrooms within QFI’s geographical areas of focus, which include the UK, Europe, US, and Canada. Ideal candidates are established researchers with demonstrated experience designing and conducting studies on language teaching and learning, have strong collaboration with a school or teacher for the proposed research, and have previously published on language teaching and learning. Candidates should also demonstrate experience in Arabic teaching or include team members who have taught Arabic at the primary or secondary level and outline how they will leverage the funding with matching contributions.
Completed submissions must include a fully completed application, demonstration of Human Subjects Approval or clear steps to obtain it, a detailed approach and methodology, and a transparent budget. The research proposal should address the significance, possible implications for classroom teaching and educational policies, and plans for dissemination of findings to Arabic teachers. Proposals should also clearly define the research question, context, learner populations, data collection and analysis methods, collaboration with stakeholders, timeline, anticipated challenges, and limitations.
Award recipients are expected to submit interim and final reports, co-own all collected data with QFI, present findings at conferences, and credit QFI in all future publications and presentations using the specified language. Recipients will receive 75% of the total approved funding at the start of research, with the remaining 25% disbursed upon receipt and approval of the final report. QFI will provide support in research design, participant recruitment, and access to resources and networks.
For more information, visit QFI.
