2025–2026 PARC Research Fellowships for Palestinian Scholars Focusing on Gaza

Fellowship awards up to a maximum of $8,000
Awardees will have until December 31, 2026 to complete their research 

On October 23, PARC held an informational webinar for interested applicants. To watch the recording, click here.

The Palestinian American Research Center (PARC) announces the 26th annual PARC Palestinian research fellowship competition for Palestinian scholars focusing on Gaza. Applicants must be Palestinian doctoral students or Palestinian scholars who have earned their PhD. All Palestinians may apply regardless of their country of residence or ID. 

Information about the fellowship competition:

  • Research must contribute to Palestinian Studies and focus on Gaza. Any field of research will be considered, including the arts, humanities, social sciences, economics, law, public health, and environmental studies. Purely scientific research is not eligible for this competition.
  • Research must take place in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, or Egypt.
  • Field research must be for a minimum of two months up to a maximum of one year.
  • Research partnerships among Gazan scholars in Gaza, other Palestinian scholars, and PARC alumni fellows are highly encouraged especially in situations where research resources and facilities are lacking. Research can be done by a group of researchers.
  • Applicants must be scholars who have earned their PhD or doctoral students enrolled in a recognized degree program.
  • By the time research commences, doctoral students must have fulfilled all preliminary requirements for their degree except the dissertation. First and second-year PhD students are not eligible. Only PhD students who have defended their dissertation proposal and are ready to commence their research are eligible. The fellowship will not cover tuition.
  • Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.
  • Female PhD students who meet the application criteria are eligible to apply for both this fellowship and the Tanya Baker-Asad Scholarship. Applicants, however, may only receive one award.
  • Scholars who received a PARC fellowship in the last three years as well as scholars who received two PARC fellowships are not eligible to apply.
  • Palestinians who are also U.S. citizens may apply either to the Palestinian Research Fellowship competition or the U.S. Research Fellowship competition. They may not apply to both competitions in the same year.
  • Proposals that do not meet minimum standards will not be considered.

Applications may be in English or Arabic and include the following:  

  • Application form
  • Abstract (350 words max)
  • Research proposal (2,000 words max)
  • Budget
  • CV
  • Transcripts for doctoral students only
  • ID and passport information
  • Two letters of recommendation for doctoral students only

Evaluation criteria:

  • Research topic significant, under-researched, original, or new perspective (especially in relation to war studies and Gaza)
  • Contribution to your field of studies and Palestinian Studies
  • Appropriateness of methodology
  • Feasibility of research design
  • Your qualifications, including the requisite knowledge, experience, and skills to complete the project
  • Reasonable and appropriate budget
  • Quality of application and writing

*Palestinians who are U.S. citizens should also visit the U.S. Fellowships page and the NEH Fellowships page and contact the U.S. office at [email protected] with any questions.

For more information, contact the PARC Palestine Office at [email protected]

Funding to support Palestinian fellowships is provided by generous individual U.S. donors.