As part of the Silk Roads Programme’s ongoing work to better understand the rich history and shared legacy and spirit of the Silk Roads, UNESCO, with the support of the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, launched the ‘Silk Roads Youth Research Grant’ in 2021 within the framework of the Social and Human Sciences Sector. The second edition has been launched on 1 March 2022.
This initiative, which aims to mobilize young researchers for further study of the Silk Roads shared heritage, will award 12 research grants to young women and men under 35 years of age.
Grant applicants are invited to address areas of academic study which relate to the shared heritage and plural identities of the Silk Roads, as well as its internal diversity, and potential in contemporary societies for creativity, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, regional and international cooperation, and ultimately sustainable peace and development.
Call for Proposals
The call for proposals for the second edition of the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant is now open, we invite you to read the sections below for more information before submitting your application.
What fields of research on the Silk Roads are eligible?
A broad array of research fields, including multidisciplinary and multidimensional proposals not limited to one specific region or chronology, are eligible. Proposed research may cover one or several themes associated with the Silk Roads shared heritage including, but not limited to:
- Science and Technology and Traditional Knowhow
- Religion and Spirituality
- Language and Literature
- Arts and Music
- Traditional Sports and Games
- Economy and Trade
- The Legacy of the Silk Roads and Contemporary Issues
However, proposed research must focus on the results of cultural interactions and exchanges, and within a given field must showcase the concrete resulting elements, be they tangible or intangible, as identifiable in two or more cultures along the Silk Roads and beyond. Research may be interdisciplinary in approach, and where possible, provide dynamic and novel ideas on the processes of exchange and transformation along the Silk Roads and its meaning and value in contemporary societies.
How To Apply?
Postgraduate researchers from all countries aged 35 and younger at the time of application are eligible to apply for the grant. The proposed research may be carried out by an individual researcher or may be part of a group or collaborative project, however only one grant will be awarded per research project.
The deadline for proposals is 31 May 2022, after which the grant awardees will be announced at the end of September 2022 following the evaluation process by the scientific panel composed of renowned international academics.
Please ensure you have read the Applicant Guidelines carefully before downloading and completing the Submission Template detailing your research, its methods, expected outcomes and contribution to existing scholarship. Applicants will receive an email confirmation of their proposal submission.
Proposals should be submitted in English and sent by e-mail to: silkroadsgrant@unesco.org
For more information on this opportunity, visit the official website
Diplomacy Opp 