The Orient-Institut Istanbul is pleased to invite applications for Ph.D. research grants for 2025/26. The purpose of the grant is to provide support for research in Turkey to Ph.D. candidates not living in Turkey.
During the duration of the scholarship no other scholarship may be obtained, and no paid employment positions may be taken.
Grants are preferably available to support research in one of the institute’s research areas, https://oiist.org/en/research-profile/ namely
- Musicological research on the Ottoman Empire and Turkey
- Narrative sources on Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire
- Past and contemporary forms of religious expression in the regions investigated at the OII (since the 11th century)
- Turkology (Linguistics and Literary Studies)
- Iran
- Entanglements between Turkish or Ottoman society, culture and literatures on the one, and Southeast Europe, the Mediterranean, Iran, The Caucasus and Eastern Europe on the other side. The migration of academics and artists is part of this field
- Ottoman modernities
- Science, Technology, and Society with a topic relating to Turkey
The research grant consists of a monthly stipend of € 1,200 for the duration of usually ten to twelve months. Short term grants of up to 90 days may also be made available. Travel expenses of a journey to and from Turkey will be reimbursed. Start of the scholarship should be at the earliest February 15th, 2025 and at latest September 15th, 2025.
Prospective applicants are expected to hold an M.A. degree in a related academic discipline. As a rule, a complete application is to demonstrate the necessity of conducting research in Istanbul or Turkey at large. If, in exceptional cases, the fellowship is not, or only partially, spent in Istanbul, a close connection to the institute is required. Upon consultation this may also be arranged through supervision by members of the Orient-Institut’s Scientific Advisory Board or other scholars associated with the institute.
Good command of Turkish or another source language necessary for the proposed project is obligatory. As the Orient-Institut Istanbul aims at creating an open and supportive academic environment, grant holders are expected to attend colloquia and conferences organised by the institute and to give a presentation of their own research. Research stays outside Istanbul must be cleared with the institute’s director.
Applications to Prof. Dr. Christoph K. Neumann
Director of the Orient-Institut Istanbul must be submitted via our online application form by January 2nd, 2025. For the reference letter, please share the link https://oiist.org/referenzschreiben-formular/ with the academic supervisor you have asked for a reference letter to upload the reference letter there.
Complete applications must include the following:
- Cover letter with indication of the desired period of the fellowship
- CV
- Outline of the Ph.D./ research project
- Explanatory statement and research schedule for the stay in Istanbul/Turkey
- Letter of recommendation written and uploaded by an academic supervisor
- Copy of M.A. diploma
- Documentation of proficiency in Turkish or another relevant source language
