Open Call: Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies

Deadline: 15-May-2026

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies 2026 supports master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral research on contemporary Armenian issues across Armenia, the wider region, and the diaspora. The programme is expected to award 7–10 scholarships in 2026, with funding ranging from €7,000 to €17,000 in Europe/UK and $10,000 to $25,000 in the USA/Canada, depending on study level and host location.

This scholarship is ideal for students and researchers pursuing social science, policy-relevant, and interdisciplinary Armenian Studies at internationally recognized universities. Priority is given to projects with strong academic merit, originality, practical relevance, and potential public policy impact.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies is an international academic funding opportunity for research students and scholars working on contemporary Armenian issues.

It supports master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral research that examines Armenia in relation to:

• The country itself
• The wider regional context
• The Armenian diaspora

The scholarship is designed to strengthen Armenian Studies as a global academic field by funding projects that are:

• Interdisciplinary
• Social science-oriented
• Policy-relevant
• Academically rigorous
• Connected to real-world issues

What Is the Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies?

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies is a research scholarship programme that provides funding for students and scholars enrolled in or admitted to:

• Master’s programmes
• Doctoral (PhD) programmes
• Postdoctoral research positions

The programme specifically supports research on contemporary Armenian-related topics, with an emphasis on the post-Soviet period, modern regional developments, and the evolving experience of Armenians in the diaspora.

Unlike narrow subject-based fellowships, this programme defines Armenian Studies broadly. It encourages applicants to place Armenian-focused research within wider academic conversations such as:

• Governance
• Conflict
• Migration
• Identity
• Human rights
• Development
• International law
• Public policy
• Peacebuilding

Scholarship Purpose and Objectives

The scholarship aims to advance the international Development of Armenian Studies by supporting scholars whose work deepens understanding of modern Armenian realities.

Core Objectives

The programme seeks to:

• Promote high-quality research on contemporary Armenian issues
• Strengthen the theoretical and empirical foundations of Armenian Studies
• Encourage interdisciplinary scholarship
• Support projects with practical application and policy relevance
• Increase understanding of:
  • Recent developments in Armenia
  • The surrounding region
  • The Armenian diaspora
• Build stronger connections between Armenian Studies and broader social science and humanities research

What Topics Does the Scholarship Support?

The scholarship focuses on contemporary Armenian issues, not only historical or classical Armenian Studies.

Main Research Focus

Eligible projects may explore:

• Contemporary Armenia
• Post-Soviet Armenian developments
• Regional political and social change
• Armenian diaspora experiences
• Migration and displacement
• Identity and cultural transformation
• Conflict and peacebuilding
• Governance, law, and public policy

Priority Disciplines

Priority is given to research in the following fields:

• Political Science
• International Relations
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Contemporary History
• Social Psychology
• International Law
• Human Rights
• Peace Studies
• Conflict Resolution
• International Development
• Humanitarian Studies
• Diaspora Studies
• Refugee Studies
• Migration Studies
• Cultural Studies

Strong Preference for Policy-Relevant Research

The Foundation particularly values projects that show:

• Public policy relevance
• Practical application
• Real-world significance
• Potential to inform:
  • Policymaking
  • Civil society
  • Academic debate
  • Regional understanding
  • Humanitarian or development practice

Funding Amount and Number of Scholarships in 2026

In 2026, the Foundation anticipates awarding 7 to 10 scholarships.

Funding is fixed annually and depends on:

• Level of study (master’s vs PhD/postdoc)
• Location of the host institution

Scholarship Amount for Europe and the UK

For students enrolled at institutions in Europe (including the UK):

• Master’s students: €7,000
• PhD students: €17,000
• Postdoctoral researchers: €17,000

Scholarship Amount for the USA and Canada

For students and researchers based in the USA or Canada:

• Master’s students: $10,000
• PhD students: $25,000
• Postdoctoral researchers: $25,000

Funding for Other Countries

Applicants whose host institutions are located in other countries should:

• Contact the Foundation directly for funding details

This means the scholarship does not publicly list a universal funding rate for all locations outside Europe/UK and North America.

Important Funding Note

Recipients should be aware that:

• Scholarship amounts are fixed
• Funding may not cover all study or research costs
• Scholars are expected to secure additional funding if needed

This is especially important for applicants in high-cost academic environments.

Who Is Eligible?

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies has clear eligibility requirements.

Eligible Study Levels

Applicants must be:

• Master’s students
• Doctoral/PhD students
• Postdoctoral researchers

Academic Status Requirement

Candidates must either be:

• Already enrolled in an eligible programme, or
• Admitted to an eligible programme

Required Research Focus

Your study or research must focus on:

• Contemporary Armenian-related social science topics

This is a key eligibility condition.

Institution Requirement

Applicants must be affiliated with an internationally recognized university or higher education institution.

Supervision / Affiliation Requirement

Applicants must also have:

• A supervisor, or
• A designated committee

For postdoctoral researchers, applicants must provide:

• Appropriate documentation of institutional affiliation

Eligible Applicant Profile at a Glance

You are likely eligible if you:

• Are admitted to or currently pursuing a master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral programme
• Are researching contemporary Armenian issues
• Are based at an internationally recognized university
• Have an academic supervisor, committee, or institutional affiliation
• Are working in a social science, interdisciplinary, or policy-relevant field

Who Is This Scholarship Best For?

This scholarship is especially suitable for:

• Graduate students researching modern Armenia
• Scholars examining the Armenian diaspora
• Researchers studying post-Soviet transitions
• Applicants working on migration, conflict, or identity
• Students in public policy and governance-related disciplines
• Postdoctoral researchers seeking support for applied Armenian Studies
• Interdisciplinary scholars connecting Armenian topics to global debates

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship is important because it supports a modern, interdisciplinary, and globally relevant vision of Armenian Studies.

Why It Stands Out

Many academic funding opportunities focus narrowly on traditional area studies or historical themes. This scholarship is notable because it explicitly prioritizes:

• Contemporary relevance
• Interdisciplinary approaches
• Policy impact
• Applied scholarship
• Social science research

Long-Term Value

This programme helps:

• Expand Armenian Studies beyond one discipline
• Strengthen evidence-based research on Armenia and the diaspora
• Support scholarship that can inform:
  • Policy
  • Peacebuilding
  • Human rights work
  • Migration debates
  • Development practice
  • Regional analysis

How the Scholarship Works

The scholarship follows a straightforward academic funding model.

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Identify a research project focused on contemporary Armenian-related issues.
2. Enroll in or secure admission to a master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral programme at a recognized university.
3. Ensure your project fits within Armenian Studies broadly defined, preferably with social science or policy relevance.
4. Confirm you have:
   • A supervisor, or
   • A designated academic committee, or
   • Institutional documentation (for postdoctoral researchers)
5. Apply for the scholarship with a strong proposal and supporting documents.
6. If selected, receive a fixed annual scholarship amount based on:
   • Study level
   • Country/region of host institution
7. Use the scholarship as part of your broader academic funding plan, especially if additional costs exceed the award.

How to Apply

The source text does not include the full application procedure, but applicants should prepare a strong academic submission aligned with the programme’s priorities.

Documents You Should Prepare

A competitive application will likely require:

• A research proposal
• CV or academic resume
• Proof of admission or current enrollment
• Name and details of your supervisor or committee
• Institutional affiliation documents (especially for postdocs)
• Academic transcripts (if requested)
• Writing sample or prior research outputs (if requested)
• A statement explaining:
  • Why your topic matters
  • Why it is relevant to contemporary Armenian issues
  • Its interdisciplinary or policy value
  • Its academic originality

How to Build a Strong Application

To improve your chances:

1. Define your topic clearly
2. Show that your work addresses contemporary Armenian realities
3. Emphasize academic merit and originality
4. Explain the practical or policy relevance
5. Demonstrate a strong methodological approach
6. Position your work within broader scholarly debates
7. Make clear why your host institution is a strong fit

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants often weaken otherwise strong proposals by missing the programme’s core priorities.

Avoid These Common Errors

• Submitting a topic that is too broad or vague
• Focusing only on historical themes without contemporary relevance
• Failing to explain policy or practical significance
• Ignoring the interdisciplinary nature of the scholarship
• Not connecting Armenian-specific research to wider academic debates
• Providing weak evidence of institutional affiliation
• Submitting a proposal without a clear research question
• Assuming the scholarship will cover all costs

Best Tip

Your application should clearly answer this question:

How does this research improve understanding of contemporary Armenian issues in a way that is academically strong and useful beyond the classroom?

Best Research Themes for This Scholarship

Projects are especially competitive if they align with current, high-impact areas such as:

• Armenian post-Soviet political transitions
• Regional conflict and peacebuilding
• Diaspora governance and transnational identity
• Migration and refugee experiences
• Human rights and international law
• Armenia’s place in regional geopolitics
• Development and humanitarian responses
• Public policy challenges affecting Armenian communities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies?

It is a scholarship that funds master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral research on contemporary Armenian issues, especially within social sciences, interdisciplinary studies, and policy-relevant research.

2. How many scholarships are expected in 2026?

The Foundation expects to award 7 to 10 scholarships in 2026.

3. How much funding is available?

Funding depends on study level and location:

Europe (including the UK):

• Master’s: €7,000
• PhD: €17,000
• Postdoctoral: €17,000

USA and Canada:

• Master’s: $10,000
• PhD: $25,000
• Postdoctoral: $25,000

4. Can applicants outside Europe, the UK, the USA, or Canada apply?

Yes, but applicants in other countries should contact the Foundation directly to confirm the scholarship amount for their host institution location.

5. What kinds of topics are eligible?

The scholarship supports contemporary Armenian-related social science research, including topics such as:

• Political science
• International relations
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Human rights
• Migration
• Diaspora studies
• Conflict resolution
• International development
• Cultural studies

6. Is Armenian Studies limited to one academic discipline in this programme?

No.

The programme defines Armenian Studies broadly and explicitly encourages:

• Interdisciplinary approaches
• Integration into wider academic fields
• Research with theoretical and empirical depth

7. Do I need a supervisor or institutional affiliation?

Yes.

Applicants must have:

• A supervisor or designated committee, or
• Appropriate institutional affiliation documentation for postdoctoral research

Final Takeaway

The Calouste Gulbenkian Scholarship for Armenian Studies 2026 is a strong opportunity for master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers working on contemporary Armenian issues with academic depth and real-world relevance.

If your research connects Armenia, the region, or the diaspora to themes like policy, migration, human rights, conflict, development, or identity, this scholarship can provide meaningful support. With 7–10 awards expected in 2026 and clear preference for original, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant projects, it is particularly valuable for scholars who want their research to have both academic impact and practical significance.

For more information, visit Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.