In accordance with its mission to be a hub for world-class research and teaching on Armenian Studies and for coordinating Interdisciplinary Research and Public Impact Programs across UCLA and with the Republic of Armenia, The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA offers a number of research and course development grants, in addition to fellowship opportunities for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars. These 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 will not be considered. The Faculty Internal Advisory Board of the Promise Armenian Institute, with additional UCLA faculty 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 Dissertation Year 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 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, 2024, 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 research staff and 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, as long as UCLA employment through at least 9/30/2025 is verifiable)

Click Here to apply for a Faculty Research Grant

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2023

Applications Due: February 1, 2024, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2024

PAI Course Development Grants  

Competitive grants of up to $10,000 are available to UCLA Faculty (ladder or non-ladder, as long as UCLA employment through at least 9/30/2025 is verifiable) 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 research staff or 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 faculty member at UCLA (ladder or non-ladder, as long as UCLA employment through at least 9/30/2025 is verifiable)

Click Here to apply for a Course Development Grant 

Applications Accepted Beginning: December 1, 2023

Applications Due: February 1, 2024, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants Notified By: April 30, 2024

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 relates to Armenia or Armenians. Applicants must demonstrate the absence of alternate sources of travel support. Applications are received three times a year. Current UCLA PAI and AGRP postdoctoral scholars are not eligible for this grant opportunity. 

Applicants must be: Current faculty member at UCLA (ladder or non-ladder, as long as UCLA employment through at least 9/30/2025 is verifiable), researcher, or postdoctoral scholar.  

Click Here to apply for a Faculty/Scholar Travel Grant 

Applications Accepted Beginning: First Friday of Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. 

Applications Due: Tenth Friday of Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters.  

Applicants Notified By: Fifth Friday of the subsequent quarter. 

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. Applications are received three times a year. A reference letter from a UCLA faculty member is required. 

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: First Friday of Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. 

Applications Due: Tenth Friday of Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters.  

Applicants Notified By: Fifth Friday of the subsequent quarter. 

PAI Dissertation Year Fellowships

One or more competitive dissertation year fellowships are available each year 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 research emphasis on or direct relevance to Armenia or Armenians. A reference letter from the student’s UCLA doctoral advisor is required, in addition to another professional or faculty reference. Those who have received PAI graduate fellowships in the past are not eligible for this opportunity.

Applicants must be: Currently advanced to candidacy as a doctoral student at UCLA and projected to start the final year of study in the Fall of 2024

Applicants should be: Within one year of completing and filing their doctoral dissertation

Award recipients: Should complete all doctoral degree requirements within 12 months of beginning their dissertation fellowship

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 Dissertation Year 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 research emphasis on or direct relevance to Armenia or Armenians. These postdoctoral fellowships are available for up to two years, commencing no later than January 15, 2025. PAI postdoctoral scholars will be eligible for up to $1000 in travel support.

Scholars from outside of UCLA are welcome to apply, as are current UCLA-based scholars. Scholars with doctoral degrees from institutions in Armenia or other non-U.S. institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. This application requires three references, one from the UCLA faculty member or researcher who would potentially supervise or be associated with the proposed postdoctoral research, one from the applicant’s graduate advisor, and one additional professional reference. Those who have received PAI graduate fellowships in the past are not eligible for this opportunity.

Qualifications: Applicants currently completing their studies must receive their doctoral degree by June 2024. Applicants who are current degree holders must have received the degree within the past ten years. Applicants must have no more than five years of cumulative postdoctoral service, including postdoctoral service at other institutions.

Applicants must: Identify a UCLA-based faculty member willing to mentor their research and/or identify research resources at UCLA associated with their proposed 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