Call for Funding Applications
Al‑Mujadilah is pleased to invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and community leaders to apply for funding across multiple programme tracks supporting collaborative research, capacity-building initiatives, and fellowship opportunities. The call is designed to advance innovative research grounded in the Islamic tradition and responsive to our contemporary challenges within our annual strategic theme.
We accept applications for a) group research projects; b) developmental workshops, and training programmes; c) as well as resident and non-resident fellowships. Details of requirements for each track are available below.
Applications open - 20 June
Applications close - 15 August
Notifications - 1 September
Start of grant work - 1 October
The 2026-28 Al-Mujadilah research theme is set to revive the Islamic social vision and its relevance today by examining fundamental questions about human nature, our purpose, and destiny with the explicit aim of offering a coherent social vision for individuals, communities, and institutions. Our aim is to define and explore the possibilities of bringing this vision into our current realities, while addressing current challenges like new technologies, climate change, conflicts and wars, and the experience of the self.
As such, the theme is organized around three interconnected pillars: the human self (its origin and telos); nested communities (familial, institutional and communal relations); and the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Each pillar is approached through two main thematic lenses— the Historical and Theological— examining how relevant concepts are developed across the Islamic traditions; and Contemporary Applications— bringing these concepts into dialogue with the modern world.
Read the full annual theme (here)
Each year, Al-Mujadilah Research awards research grants totaling up to $200,000 USD to researchers, practioners, and community leaders working in topics that serve our annual theme.
Al-Mujadilah Research Grants are designed to cultivate a living intellectual community rooted in rigorous inquiry, dialouge, and a deep commitment to the renewal of Islamic thought in conversation with the contemporary world. The grants pursue this aim through three distinct yet interrelated programme tracks.
Group Research Projects bringing together three or more researchers in a shared intellectual undertaking, advancing a collective thesis through collaborative and interdisciplany work and coordinated outputs.
Developmental Workshops and Training Programmes extending this vision into applied learning, supporting structured pedagogical activities designed to bring the annual research theme into dialogue with the needs of specific audiences and communities.
Resident and Non-Resident Fellowships providing individual scholars with the dedicated time, intellectual environment, and material support necessary to pursue original research into one of our theme’s core questions nd contribute to the Centre's broader intellectual life.
Together these tarcks brings to full actualisationthe integrative and cross-civilisational character of the Islamic scholarly tradition itself.
Research awards are open to all applicants regardless of gender, religion, and country of residency.
Group Research Projects support collaborative inquiries undertaken by three or more researchers working towards shared thesis and collective outputs.
Application Requirements
Applicants under this track must submit a joint project proposal of no more than 1000 words describing the research question, methodology, and define the intended contribution to the annual research theme, its three pillars, and thematic approaches.
Applications must also include a list of all team members with their biographical notes, institutional affiliations, and roles within the project, as well as a clear timeline and plan for completion within the one-year programme duration.
Applicants are also required to offer a clear set of research outputs and explain how the requested funds help bring them to completion. Upon acceptance, all team members must confirm their availability to participate for the full duration of the grant.
Award Details
- Duration: 1 year (from the 1st of October 2026 to the 30th of September 2027)
- Number of participants: at least three in each group.
- Funding Available:Up to USD 25,000
Terms and Conditions:
- Each group is led by a principal investigator and supported by 1-3 additional affiliate researchers. The PI must have completed their PhD and has an academic institutional affiliation, though the second can be a senior practitioner or community leader.
- Award recipients must submit bi-annual progress reports outlining completed work, key achievements, challenges, forthcoming milestones, and evidence of research engagement or impact for archival and promotional purposes.
- Funds will be disbursed according to an agreed schedule linked to project milestones and deliverables. Principal Investigators are responsible for all expenditure, financial reporting, and submission of supporting invoices. All funds must be used within the grant period.
- Academic publications produced under the grant remain the intellectual property of the researchers. Al-Mujadilah must be acknowledged as the Grantor in all supported research outputs, academic activities, and public events.
- Research Groups are required to propose and complete a research paper for the publication on Al-Mujadilah's website for public dissemination. Public engagement materials submitted to or prepared for Al-Mujadilah remain the intellectual property of Al-Mujadilah.
- Research Groups must meet quarterly with the Research Manager or a representative from Al-Mujadilah Research and at least 70% of the team.
- Members of our research groups will be invited to present their research at our Jadal Summit.
Apply for Group Research Projects
This track supports structured learning and capacity-building activities designed to engage participants with our annual theme in practical and applied ways.
Workshops are focused, single-session activities of up to five hours, designed to introduce, explore, or apply a specific concept or topic. Training programmes are multi-session, curriculum-based experiences spanning up to three full days, aimed at building sustained competency or deeper engagement with a subject.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than 1,000 words outlining the objectives, format, intended audience, and expected outcomes of their workshop or training programme. The proposal should also include a proposed session outline or, in the case of training programmes, a basic curriculum overview, along with a statement explaining how the activity contributes to the broader pillars and themes of our annual theme.
The workshop or training programme designer and facilitator(s) must also submit a separate cover letter explaining their motivation for choosing the topic, their relevant experience in the field, and their expertise in workshop design and delivery. Applicants are additionally required to include a brief statement proposing a duration of their grant (6 to 9 months), define their timeline, and explain how the requested funds will be utilised.
This track is open to individuals and groups.
Award Details
- Duration: 6–9 months
- Funding Available:
- Workshops: USD 3,000–5,000
- Training Programmes: USD 7,000–10,000
Terms and Conditions:
- Award recipients must submit progress reports in the middle of their grant outlining completed work, key achievements, challenges, forthcoming milestones, and evidence of engagement or impact for archival and promotional purposes.
- Funds will be disbursed according to an agreed schedule linked to workshop and training programmes milestones and deliverables. Award recipients are responsible for all expenditure, financial reporting, and submission of supporting invoices. All funds must be used within the grant period.
- Al-Mujadilah must be acknowledged as the Grantor in all supported research outputs, academic activities, and public events related to the workshops and training designed under the grant.
- Award recipients are required to deliver their workshops or training programmes within their chosen context or home institution before the end of the grant period, and to submit a written evaluation of the outcomes.
- Selected award recipients will be invited to deliver a version of their workshop or training programme at our Jadal Summit.
Apply for Workshops and Training Programmes
Fellowships are awarded to individual researchers seeking dedicated time and support to develop research, writing, and lecturing work on topics aligned with our annual theme.
Applicants must submit a fellowship proposal of no more than 2000 words describing their research question, methodology, and define the intended contribution to the annual research theme, its three pillars, and thematic approaches. Applications must also include a full curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from academics or professionals familiar with the applicant’s work. Applicants are required to submit a statement detailing all research outputs they propose to undertake during their fellowship and a clear timeline and plan for completion within the one-year programme duration.
Resident Fellows are expected to be based at Al-Mujadilah for six months during the fellowship year and to contribute to the centre’s intellectual life and teaching. Resident fellowship applicants must therefore confirm their availability to be in residence for the designated period. Non-resident Fellows may carry out their work remotely with periodic online engagement. Applications should clearly state the applicant’s preference.
Award Details
Duration: 1 year (from the 1st of October 2026 to the 30th of September 2027)
Funding Available: USD 24,000 (USD 2000 monthly stipend)
Additionally, suitable accommodation will be provided for resident fellows
Terms and Conditions:
- All fellows must hold a Ph.D. in relevant fields. Exceptional All But Dissertation (ABD) doctoral students will also be considered if they have a proven record of academic research experience.
- Award recipients must submit bi-annual progress reports outlining completed work, key achievements, challenges, forthcoming milestones, and evidence of research engagement or impact for archival and promotional purposes.
- Funds will be disbursed according to an agreed schedule linked to project milestones and deliverables. Fellows are responsible for all expenditure, financial reporting, and submission of supporting invoices. All funds must be used within the grant period.
- Academic publications produced under the grant remain the intellectual property of the research fellows. Al-Mujadilah must be acknowledged as the Grantor in all supported research outputs, academic activities, and public events.
- Research fellows are required to propose and complete a research paper for the publication on Al-Mujadilah's website for public dissemination. Public engagement materials submitted to or prepared for Al-Mujadilah remain the intellectual property of Al-Mujadilah.
- Research fellows will meet quarterly with the Research Manager or a representative from Al-Mujadilah Research to discuss progress.
- Fellows will be invited to present their research at our Jadal Summit.