Open Call | Research Grants 2025-2027

The Alserkal Arts Foundation Research Grants 2025-2027 supported artists, researchers, writers, filmmakers, educators and other practitioners working across South Asia, West Asia and Africa. Grants of up to US$10,000 were available for individuals, duos, collectives and independent publishers pursuing experimental and interdisciplinary research. The 2025-2027 application cycle is now closed.

Background & Grant Description

The Alserkal Arts Foundation Research Grants programme was established to support individuals and collectives pursuing research across the arts, humanities and social sciences. Since 2019, the programme has supported research projects connected to South Asia, West Asia and Africa, with an emphasis on approaches that challenge conventional disciplinary boundaries.

The third round of the programme covered the 2025–2027 cycle. Applications opened on April 29, 2024, and the deadline was September 1, 2024. The Foundation has confirmed that applications for this cycle are now closed.

The programme was designed for practitioners whose research demonstrates an imaginative and evolving practice while creating opportunities for accessible discourse and knowledge-sharing. It particularly welcomed intersectional and experimental approaches to research.

The Foundation also expressed interest in practices attentive to the violence and polarization affecting communities and societies today.

Potential applicants included multidisciplinary visual and sonic artists, architects, writers, independent publishers, documentary filmmakers, educators, geographers, historians, economists, curators and researchers.

Research Grant Focus

The Alserkal Arts Foundation Research Grants were intended to encourage research that moves beyond traditional academic or disciplinary boundaries.

Applicants were expected to demonstrate how the proposed research would expand their expertise and contribute to their development as researchers, writers, practitioners or thought-leaders.

Projects could address issues connected to South Asia, West Asia or Africa while employing interdisciplinary, experimental or innovative research methods.

The programme was therefore particularly relevant to applicants whose practices combine areas such as art, culture, history, geography, documentary filmmaking, publishing, social sciences or other research-based disciplines.

Grant Amount

The programme offered different maximum grant amounts depending on the applicant category:

Individuals: Up to US$5,000
Duos or collectives: Up to US$10,000
Independent publishers: Up to US$10,000

Research grants were awarded in phases, with the Foundation working with grant recipients to ensure that funding was distributed in line with research requirements.

The grant was intended to support research activities and project-related expenses rather than general personal costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants from all countries and disciplines were eligible to apply, subject to the programme’s specific requirements.

To qualify for the Research Grants, applicants were required to:

Be above 21 years of age
Have at least five years of experience in their respective field
Demonstrate an imaginative and evolving practice
Create space for accessible discourse and pedagogy

The Foundation assessed applicants based on their potential to become influential researchers, writers, practitioners and thought-leaders in their respective fields.

Applicants were expected to make a clear and cohesive case explaining how participation in the Research Grants programme would help expand their expertise.

Projects That Were Not Eligible

The programme excluded several categories of proposals.

Projects could be disqualified if they had a commercial interest or commercial outcome. Proposals intended for political or religious entities or groups were also excluded.

Projects prepared for registered charities, healthcare organisations or educational organisations were similarly not eligible.

In addition, proposed projects could not have a realization deadline exceeding 24 months.

Applicants therefore needed to ensure that their research plan, expected outcomes and schedule fitted within the programme’s requirements.

What Could the Grant Fund?

The Research Grants could be used for a broad range of research-related expenses.

Eligible costs included rental of equipment required for fieldwork, such as cameras, audio equipment and dictaphones. Applicants could also use funding for rental of spaces needed for video or audio recording, including film studios, sound booths and editing suites.

Other eligible expenses included:

Transcription and translation services
Video and sound editing
Website design and development
Editorial design
Project support and assistant fees
Honorariums for research collaborators and contributors
Editor, copy editor and proofreader fees
Printing and binding publications
Library and digital learning resource memberships
Acquisition of primary archival resources
Acquisition of out-of-print books and publications

These eligible expenses allowed recipients to use the funding for practical research, documentation, production and publication activities.

What Could Not Be Funded?

Several expenses were specifically excluded.

The grants could not be used to purchase electronic hardware or media, including film cameras, speakers or laptops. Personal expenses, health insurance and visa fees were also excluded.

Applicants could not use the funding to purchase books that were already in circulation or pay for monthly publication subscriptions.

The programme also excluded personal one-to-one mentorship, courses, university classes, vocational studies, professional training programmes and postgraduate education.

Participation costs for fairs, art fairs, film markets, design fairs and similar trade or professional events were not eligible. Shipping fees for personal items, including books, were also excluded.

Application Documents

For the 2025–2027 cycle, applicants were required to complete the online application and provide several supporting documents.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants needed an up-to-date CV of no more than three pages. The CV was expected to include major publications, research studies and relevant projects.

Portfolio

A portfolio was required in PDF format and could include research papers, thesis summaries, images, videos and other materials demonstrating the applicant’s interests, experience and research potential.

The portfolio was limited to 10 pages and a maximum file size of 10MB.

Research Abstract

Applicants needed to provide a summary of their proposed research of fewer than 300 words.

Research Proposal and Budget

The research proposal was required to explain the context, background and rationale for the research.

It also needed to outline the applicant’s existing research expertise, new areas to be explored, connections with South Asia, West Asia and Africa, research methodology, analytical tools, project schedule and expected outcomes.

An itemized budget showing how the grant would be used was also required.

Letters of Recommendation

Two recommendation letters were required. Referees submitted their recommendations through the online application system after being entered by the applicant.

Applicants were encouraged to contact their referees well in advance because recommendation letters had to be submitted by the application deadline.

Application Deadline and Current Status

The application deadline for the Alserkal Arts Foundation Research Grants 2025–2027 was September 1, 2024.

The source provided states that applications for the 2025–2027 cycle are now closed.

Therefore, prospective applicants should not submit materials for this expired cycle. Instead, they should monitor the Alserkal Arts Foundation for information about any future Research Grants round or other funding opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The Alserkal Arts Foundation Research Grants programme provided an important funding opportunity for experienced practitioners working across arts, humanities and social sciences, particularly those whose research connects with South Asia, West Asia and Africa.

The programme stood out for its support of interdisciplinary and experimental research, with grants reaching US$10,000 for eligible duos, collectives and independent publishers.

The 2025–2027 application cycle is now closed, but the programme provides a useful indication of the type of research, experience and supporting documentation that the Foundation has previously sought.

Anyone interested in future Alserkal Arts Foundation funding should monitor the Foundation’s official announcements for a new call, eligibility requirements, application dates and updated grant amounts before preparing a submission.

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