2025-2026 PARC Tanya Baker-Asad Scholarship for Palestinian Women Pursuing PhDs

The Palestinian American Research Center announces the 3rd PARC Tanya Baker-Asad Scholarship for Palestinian women pursuing PhDs in the humanities and social sciences. The Scholarship was established in honor of the late Tanya Baker-Asad, an anthropologist, a feminist, and a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. A woman of great integrity and compassion, and with a strong sense of justice, Tanya Baker-Asad was a researcher and a teacher who remained steadfast in her commitment to improving the lives of women, particularly those living under conditions of hardship and political repression. The Tanya Baker-Asad Scholarship was established by Baker-Asad’s husband, Talal Asad.

Tanya Baker-Asad

The range of Scholarship awards for the academic year 2025-2026 is from $5,000 up to a maximum of $25,000


On October 9, PARC held an informational webinar for interested applicants. To view the recording, click here.

Qualified applicants should either be enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a doctoral program in the humanities or social sciences at an accredited university anywhere in the world. The maximum Scholarship award for the academic year 2025-2026 is $25,000. The Scholarship may be used for any expenses related to the pursuit of the degree (e.g. tuition, research expenses, dissertation write-up support, living expenses).

Interested applicants should submit a pre-proposal due October 25, 2024. Pre-proposal applicants will be notified by November 15, 2024 if their pre-proposal has been approved. Approved applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed final application. The deadline for final applications is January 10, 2024.


Information about the scholarship competition:

  • Applicants must be women of Palestinian heritage.
  • Applicants must be scholars enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a PhD at an accredited university anywhere in the world. 
  • Fields of study include but are not limited to, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, philosophy, religious studies, political science, psychology, geography, literature, languages and linguistics, archaeology, art history, law, media studies, and film studies.
  • The Scholarship can be used for any expenses related to the pursuit of the degree (e.g. tuition, research expenses, dissertation write-up support, living expenses).
  • Previous applicants are encouraged to apply. Previous awardees are not eligible.
  • All applications must be in English.

Pre-proposal applications include the following:

  • Application form
  • Personal statement (500 words max)
  • Research statement (500 words max)
  • Curriculum vitae (3 pages max)
  • Budget (maximum of $25,000)
  • Information page from passport, laissez-passer, or travel document

Final applications include the following: (only approved pre-proposal applicants who are invited to apply may submit final applications)

  • Application form
  • Personal statement (1,000 words max)
  • Research statement (1,000 words max)
  • Academic transcripts (BA, MA, and PhD if currently enrolled)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Budget (maximum of $25,000)
  • Other funding support
  • Information page from passport, laissez-passer, or travel document
  • Three letters of recommendation

Evaluation criteria:

  • Primary criterion is the overall excellence of the application
  • Clear and compelling personal and research statements
  • Qualifications demonstrate the potential to undertake, continue, or complete a PhD
  • Strong support from recommenders

*Applicants who are at the research stage of their PhD program and who are conducting research on Gaza are eligible to apply to the PARC Palestinian Research Fellowship competition. Please contact the Palestine Office at [email protected] with any questions.

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

For more information, contact the U.S. Office at [email protected]

The Tanya Baker-Asad Scholarship is supported by the Tanya Baker-Asad Fund