Early Scholars Publication Grants
The Early Scholars Publication Grants, offered through the UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) with the support of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission are intended to facilitate and support the publication and dissemination of outstanding graduate-level research in a peer-reviewed academic publication
The UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures at KFCRIS takes a global rather than Eurocentric view of translating cultures, building on the historical Arab trajectory of South-South translation in the multicultural societies of the Umayyads, Abbasids, and Andalusis. The UNESCO Chair perceives translating cultures as a concept that reflects much broader debates in the global humanities and recognizes that translating cultures is an ongoing process involving translation, transmission, cross-cultural communication, and the dissemination of knowledge. The Chair seeks to reimagine the epistemological turn that translating cultures has taken in the twenty-first century and embraces translating cultures’ growing emphasis on theoretical approaches and geo-linguistic diversity. It encourages theoretical discussions that explore and problematize the cultural and interdisciplinary discontinuities and the untranslatable in between.
The Chair intends to meet a growing need for interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences. It aims to support innovative research in translating Arab cultures by facilitating collaborations between scholars in translation studies, cultural studies, intangible heritage, and the humanities at the local, regional, and international levels.
The Chair awards one grant annually for the publication of research developed in an outstanding master’s thesis in an area of research that aligns with the Chair’s mission and annual themes. Information on eligibility for the 2024 master’s grant can be found below:
- Have completed a master’s degree in a relevant field, such as Arabic language and culture, translation studies, comparative literature, anthropology, Middle Eastern studies, or cultural sociology.
- Have written a thesis in English related to the Chair’s themes for 2024: Rethinking Translating Cultures or Sino-Arab Cultural Relations.
- Hold an MA/MPhil degree from a research institution worldwide awarded between 2020-2023.
The Chair likewise awards one grant annually for the publication of an outstanding PhD dissertation (either in full or as a chapter-turned-article). The field of research should also align with the Chair’s mission and annual themes. Information on eligibility for the 2024 doctoral grant can be found below:
- Have completed a PhD in a relevant field, such as Arabic language and culture, translation studies, comparative literature, anthropology, Middle Eastern studies, or cultural sociology.
- Have written a dissertation in English related to the Chair’s themes for 2024: Rethinking Translating Cultures or Sino-Arab Cultural Relations.
- Hold a PhD from a research institution worldwide awarded between 2018-2023.
Applications for both the master’s and doctoral grants are due Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Riyadh time (GMT+3). All application materials should be submitted to KFCRIS via its online submission system. Information on how to set up an account can be found below. Applications must be in English and should include the following materials:
- Abstract and a complete chapter that includes the main argument of the thesis under consideration.
- Applicant’s CV.
- Statement of purpose describing your research and the reasons why your thesis/dissertation is appropriate for publication, as well as how your thesis/dissertation topic aligns with the themes and goals of the UNESCO Chair (2-3 double-spaced pages)
- Two letters of recommendation.
Applications will be reviewed using a 'double-blind' process and assessed based on eligibility requirements, publication standards, and academic merit.
- Go to the Application Link
- Create an account and log in.
- Select Author from the top bar.
- Select Start New Submission, then Begin Submission.
- Drop your Abstract.
- Select Research Proposal.
- For Categories, select MA Publication Grant or PhD Publication Grant.
- For Programs, select the UNESCO Chair.
- Continue the steps and make sure to upload all required files (Applicant’s CV, Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation) at (Step 2: File Upload).