In accordance with its mission to be a hub for world-class research and teaching in fields related to Armenian Studies and in interdisciplinary fields related to Armenia and Armenians, The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA offers a number of funding opportunities.  These opportunities include research and course development grants, in addition to fellowship opportunities for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars. One-year grants and Ph.D. fellowships are available to UCLA personnel at the appropriate level, while up to two-year postdoctoral fellowships are available to Ph.D. or other doctoral recipients from outside of or within UCLA. Proposals for these opportunities should lie in areas relevant to the mission of the Promise Armenian Institute. 

To apply for the following grants or fellowships, please complete the electronic application form relevant to each funding opportunity by the deadline indicated. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered. The Faculty Internal Advisory Board of the Promise Armenian Institute, with additional UCLA faculty input as necessary, will review applications.

All award recipients will be asked to submit a report of their progress and/or scholarly findings one year after the commencement of the award. Additionally, Faculty Research Grant, Postdoctoral Fellowship, and Post-Candidacy Ph.D. Fellowship recipients will be asked to provide a public lecture organized by the Promise Armenian Institute soon after the completion of funding, if not before.

 Click here to see currently and previously funded projects and fellows.

PAI Faculty Research Grants  

Competitive grants of up to $40,000 (for one year) are available to UCLA faculty members for research projects across all academic fields, including but not limited to the social sciences, health sciences, humanities, music, arts, engineering, and public policy, with a clear research emphasis on or direct relevance to Armenia or Armenians. Smaller grants for more focused research projects will also be considered. The funding period for this grant will typically commence July 1, 2025, unless otherwise requested by the applicant. Applications are received once a year. Funds must be used for direct research costs such as materials, supplies, personnel (including UCLA student salaries/fee remissions), and travel to the extent that such expenses are allowed and directly related to the proposed project. Funds may not be used for UCLA-based faculty/investigator salaries or support, including teaching buy-outs or summer ninths, or departmental overhead costs (indirect costs). Proposed activities and expenditures must comply with all applicable university policies and procedures. If proposals involve compensating non-UCLA affiliated personnel or external entities, an explanation of the reason that this expertise or service is critical for the success of the project must be included in the project narrative.

The PAI strongly encourages collaborative research projects between UCLA faculty and scholars/institutions in the Republic of Armenia.

Principal investigator must be: Currently a faculty member at UCLA (ladder or non-ladder, with eligibility to receive grants as a UCLA Principal Investigator (PI)).

Click Here to apply for a Faculty Research Grant

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2024

Applications Due: February 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: Approximately April 30, 2025

PAI Course Development Grants  

Competitive grants of up to $10,000 are available to UCLA ladder faculty for development of new undergraduate courses that enrich the field of Armenian Studies and/or interdisciplinary perspectives on Armenia or Armenians. Applications are received once a year. Funds may be used for direct costs such as collection or development of materials, or non-faculty personnel involved with course development (including UCLA graduate student Teaching Assistant salaries/fee remissions). Funds may not be used for UCLA-based faculty/instructor salaries or support, including teaching buy-outs or summer ninths, or departmental overhead costs (indirect costs).

Principal investigator must be: Currently a ladder faculty member (tenured or tenure-track) at UCLA.

Click Here to apply for a Course Development Grant 

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2024

Applications Due: February 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: Approximately April 30, 2025

PAI Faculty/Scholar Travel Grants  

Limited numbers of UCLA faculty and researcher travel grants of up to $3,000 are available to conduct research in Armenia or elsewhere abroad, where research emphasis clearly relates to Armenia or Armenians. This opportunity is available only once per academic year. Applicants must demonstrate the absence of alternate sources of travel support, including travel support from the UCLA Academic Senate. Current UCLA PAI and AGRP postdoctoral scholars are not eligible for this grant opportunity, as they have alternative travel funding sources. 

Applicants must be: Current faculty member at UCLA (ladder or non-ladder) or researcher, as long as UCLA employment is verified through at least 9/30/2026.  

Click Here to apply for a Faculty/Scholar Travel Grant 

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2024

Applications Due: April 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: Approximately April 30, 2025 

PAI Student Research or Travel Grants  

UCLA undergraduate or graduate level student research or travel grants of up to $3,000 are available to conduct research in Armenia or on Armenian-related studies during the academic year or the summer. A reference letter from a UCLA faculty member attesting to the value of the research and the student’s capabilities is required.

Additional travel grants of up to $1,500 are available to students for presenting research related to Armenia or Armenians at an academic conference. A letter from conference organizers verifying that an abstract/paper has been accepted for presentation is required.

These research or travel grant opportunities are available only once per academic year.

Applicants must be: Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral level student at UCLA

Click Here to apply for a Student Research or a Travel Grant 

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2024

Applications Due: April 1, 2025, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: Approximately April 30, 2025 

PAI Post-Candidacy Ph.D. Fellowships

One or more competitive graduate fellowships are available each year to doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy in fields represented within Armenian studies, such as Armenian language, literature, and history, or in any other academic field—including but not limited to the social sciences, health sciences, humanities, music, arts, engineering, and public policy—but with a clear research emphasis on or direct relevance to Armenia or Armenians. A PAI Post-Candidacy Ph.D. Fellowship is for a 12-month period, commencing in the Fall of 2025, with a stipend of $30,000 and coverage of UCLA tuition, fees, and benefits. A reference letter from the student’s UCLA doctoral advisor is required, in addition to another professional or faculty reference. Individuals who have received PAI graduate fellowships in the past are not eligible for this opportunity.

Applicants must be: Currently (at the time of application) advanced to candidacy as a doctoral student at UCLA.

Applicants Must: Inform the PAI as soon as possible if they receive funding from another source for the proposal period.

Click Here to apply for a post-candidacy Ph.D. Fellowship 

One or more competitive postdoctoral fellowships are available each year to recent doctoral degree recipients in fields represented within Armenian studies, such as Armenian language, literature, and history, as well as all other academic fields—including but not limited to the social sciences, health sciences, humanities, music, arts, engineering, and public policy—with a clear research emphasis on or direct relevance to Armenia or Armenians. These postdoctoral fellowships are available for up to two years, with a salary commensurate with established experience level, commencing no later than January 15, 2026. PAI postdoctoral scholars will be eligible for up to $1000 in research travel support for each year of the fellowship. Scholars from outside of UCLA are strongly encouraged to apply, especially scholars with doctoral degrees from institutions in Armenia or other non-U.S. institutions.

This application requires two references: one from the applicant’s graduate advisor and one additional professional reference. A brief statement from the UCLA faculty member or researcher who would potentially mentor the proposed postdoctoral scholar, verifying their willingness to do so as well as their department’s readiness to accept a postdoctoral scholar, is also required.

Individuals who have received PAI graduate or postdoctoral fellowships in the past are not eligible for this opportunity.

Qualifications: Applicants currently completing their studies must receive their doctoral degree by June 30, 2025. Applicants who are current degree holders must have received the degree within the past ten years. Applicants must have no more than three years of cumulative postdoctoral service, including postdoctoral service at other institutions.

Applicants must: Identify a UCLA-based faculty member willing to mentor their research.

Applicants must: Inform the PAI as soon as possible if they receive funding from another source for the proposal period, particularly if they accept a position at another institution for the proposal period. 

Click Here to apply for a PAI Postdoctoral Fellowship 

NON-PAI Funding Opportunities

Manoogian Postdoctoral Fellowships in Armenian Studies & History

The Center for Armenian Studies (CAS) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, invites applications for the 2025-26 Manoogian Postdoctoral Fellowships in Armenian Studies & History. These full-time 12-month positions, with an option for a one-year extension contingent on curricular needs and progress, are open to junior scholars who have completed a PhD within the last three years. For questions, please email cas.fellowships@umich.edu. For details, visit ii.umich.edu/armenian/manoogian-fellowships.

Click here to learn more and access online application form.

Applications Due: January 15, 2025

Applicants Notified: March 2025

Aurora Prize Humanitarian Research Grants Program

Join the Aurora Prize Humanitarian Research Grants Program and help identify unsung heroes making a difference and support their lifesaving work. Together, we can amplify their impact and advance meaningful humanitarian and human rights efforts.

To apply, please fill out this form. Successful candidates will be contacted by the Aurora Prize Secretariat for detailed briefing. For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at AuroraSecretariat@auroraprize.com.

• Identify 5 humanitarian and human rights changemakers, potential candidates for the 2025 Aurora Prize who have not been previously nominated.
• Those who successfully complete the assignment will be awarded individual grants of $500. Additionally, participants whose candidates advance to become 2025 Aurora Humanitarians (finalists) will be invited to attend the 2025 Aurora Prize Ceremony. 
• The work is expected to be done in October-November on a rolling basis, with the deadline of November 30 for the submission of the final version of the work.