The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS), through its UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures, and with support from the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, offers Early Scholars Publication Grants. These grants support the publication of outstanding PhD dissertations that critically examine contemporary debates related to the UNESCO Chair's two themes and adopt a global perspective that moves beyond Eurocentrism. Early Scholars Publication Grants will be awarded for this year's two themes:
The UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures invites dissertations that reconceptualize translating cultures in the digital age, acknowledging the transformation of translation and culture into dynamic, decentralized, and algorithmically mediated phenomena. While the ongoing debate encompasses various aspects of AI's impact on culture, a key focus centers on its capacity to interpret and mediate the complex and dynamic formation of culture. The integration of AI as both translator and cultural mediator offers a transformative potential for reshaping power dynamics in the global dissemination of knowledge and the construction of culture. However, realizing this potential requires further research, including interdisciplinary collaboration between AI researchers and scholars in the humanities and social sciences, to address the complex ethical, epistemological, and methodological implications posed by AI's growing influence.
We seek dissertations that explore the evolving relationship between humans and advanced AI systems, including the new interpretive strategies required to navigate AI’s fluid, data-driven formulations, and focus on themes such as agency, authorship, translation, and the human-machine interface. Submissions are welcome from interdisciplinary perspectives—including translation studies, linguistics, philosophy, the humanities, and social sciences—that examine how the shift from passive machines to actively engaging AI systems reshapes our understanding of these core concepts.
The transition from "folklore" to "intangible cultural heritage" (ICH) reflects a profound shift in how cultural expressions are conceptualized and valued. While "folklore" has been critiqued for its historical limitations and connotations, the broader framework of ICH has emerged to encompass a more inclusive and diverse range of cultural practices, sparking vital discussions about cultural preservation, representation, and inclusivity. This evolution calls for innovative scholarship exploring the dynamic interplay between intangible heritage, folklore studies, and the safeguarding of oral traditions, particularly addressing theories of traditionality and modernity within technological advancements and global interconnectedness. We welcome PhD theses that investigate the vital role of oral narratives, legends, and diverse forms of folklore in actively sustaining and transmitting cultural values across generations, thereby preserving invaluable cultural histories and enriching cultural heritage. We are particularly interested in research from literary and cultural studies, anthropology, and cultural history that engages with the Arabian Peninsula and other Arab countries, as well as comparative approaches highlighting the interconnectedness and diversity of cultural expressions within the Global South. Additionally, the grants seek to support research that examines how digital technologies can be harnessed to preserve oral traditions without compromising their integrity, fostering innovative methodologies for the study and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. By addressing these topics, the grants aim to advance understanding of the complex relationships between tradition, transmission, technology, and cultural continuity in a globalized world.
The Chair annually awards two $1,000 grants, each accompanied by support for editorial work to publish 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 2025 doctoral grants can be found below:
- Have completed a PhD in a relevant field, such as Arabic language and culture, translation studies, comparative literature, anthropology, folklore, Middle Eastern studies, or cultural sociology.
- Have written a dissertation in English related to the Chair’s themes for 2025: Translating Cultures in the Age of AI or Translating Cultures and Intangible Heritage
- Hold a PhD from a research institution worldwide awarded between 2019 and 2024.
Applications for doctoral grants are due Monday, May 26, 2025, 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 dissertation is appropriate for publication, as well as how your 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 the theme for 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.