Call for Proposals: SAARC Research Grant Programme

The SAARC Cultural Centre is inviting academics, scholars, and researchers from SAARC Member States to submit original research proposals under its research grant programme. The grant provides US$3,000 per selected researcher to support studies focused on decolonizing museums, improving curatorial practices, and strengthening the role of museums in preserving and communicating culture in South Asia.

About the Grant

The SAARC Cultural Centre Research Grant supports in-depth academic research on museums and cultural heritage in South Asia.

This year’s call places special emphasis on how museums can be re-examined through the lens of decolonization, with a focus on improving curatorial methods, broadening representation, and better understanding how museums preserve, interpret, and communicate cultural histories.

The programme also seeks to encourage research that promotes regional unity and cross-cultural dialogue across South Asia.

Research Focus Areas

Applicants are expected to submit detailed and original research project proposals aligned with the grant theme.

Key areas of interest include:

• Decolonization of museums
• Improving curatorial practices
• Understanding museums’ role in preserving and communicating culture
• Promoting cross-cultural dialogue in South Asia
• Identifying shared heritage across SAARC countries
• Addressing challenges in museum practices
• Including marginalized voices in museum narratives
• Developing inclusive approaches to interpreting interconnected histories

Grant Amount

Each selected researcher will receive:

• US$3,000 (or equivalent in local currency)

Payment Structure

The grant is released in two installments:

• US$1,500 at the start of the project
• US$1,500 after submission of the final report

Who Can Apply?

The grant is open only to eligible applicants from SAARC Member States.

Eligible applicants

• Academics
• Scholars
• Researchers

Applicants must be from a SAARC Member State.

Who Is Not Eligible?

You are not eligible if:

• You have received a SAARC research grant within the past five years

Researcher Responsibilities

Selected researchers must meet several project obligations.

During the project

Researchers are required to:

• Participate in a review meeting
• Present their research progress
• Comply with recommendations given during the evaluation process

At the end of the project

Researchers must submit:

• A publishable draft of the final research report
• Approximate length: 20,000 to 30,000 words

Final Report and Publication

The final report will be reviewed by the SAARC Cultural Centre.

Important points:

• The report should be publication-ready
• It may be edited before publication
• It may be considered for inclusion in the SAARC Cultural Centre’s publications programme

This makes the grant especially valuable for researchers who want both financial support and a possible publication pathway.

Why This Grant Matters

This is a meaningful opportunity for researchers in South Asia because it:

• Supports original regional research
• Encourages more inclusive museum and heritage narratives
• Promotes shared cultural understanding across SAARC countries
• Creates space for marginalized perspectives
• Offers a potential route to publication

It is particularly useful for scholars working in:

• Museum studies
• Heritage studies
• Cultural studies
• History
• Anthropology
• Curatorial research
• South Asian studies

How to Prepare a Strong Proposal

To strengthen your application:

• Submit a clear and original research question
• Show strong relevance to museums and decolonization
• Highlight the South Asian regional dimension
• Include how your project addresses shared heritage or cross-cultural dialogue
• Explain the methodology clearly
• Show how the research can contribute to inclusive curatorial or interpretive practices
• Keep in mind the final output must support a 20,000–30,000 word publishable report

FAQ

1. Who can apply for the SAARC Cultural Centre Research Grant?

The grant is open to academics, scholars, and researchers from SAARC Member States.

2. How much funding is provided?

Each selected researcher receives US$3,000 (or equivalent in local currency).

3. How is the grant paid?

The funding is released in two installments:

• US$1,500 at project commencement
• US$1,500 after submission of the final report

4. What is the main research theme?

The grant focuses on:

• Decolonizing museums
• Curatorial practice
• Cultural preservation and interpretation
• Inclusive and shared heritage narratives in South Asia

5. Can previous SAARC grant recipients apply?

Not if they have received a SAARC research grant within the last five years.

6. What is the required final output?

A publishable draft research report of around 20,000 to 30,000 words must be submitted at the end of the project.

Final Takeaway

The SAARC Cultural Centre Research Grant 2026 is a useful opportunity for academics and researchers in SAARC Member States who want to explore museums, decolonization, curatorial practice, and inclusive cultural interpretation in South Asia.

With US$3,000 in funding, a clear regional focus, and the possibility of publication through the SAARC Cultural Centre, the grant is especially valuable for scholars working on museum and heritage research with strong cross-cultural relevance.