The IOC Olympic Studies Centre has launched the 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme. This grant supports scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, its history and ideals, athletes, the Olympic Games, and their societal and cultural impacts.
The programme is designed for current PhD students and early career academics. In addition, relevant projects may include a visit to the IOC Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne to consult collections and historical archives.
Application Deadline
- 22 September 2026 (23:59 CEST)
Tell Me About The Grant
The PhD Students & Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme, organized by the Olympic Studies Centre (OSC), supports scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, Olympism, and the Olympic Games from a humanities or social sciences perspective. It provides funding, access to the IOC Historical Archives, and research visits to Lausanne, Switzerland.
Which Fields are Eligible
Research must focus on:
- Olympism
- Olympic Movement
- Olympic Games impact
- Humanities and social sciences perspectives (history, sociology, law, cultural studies, etc.)
(Natural sciences such as biomechanics, physiology, medicine, and neuroscience are excluded.)
Type
- Research Grant | PhD & Early Career Academics | Olympic Studies
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be:
- PhD students enrolled for the entire duration of the grant, with Olympism/Olympic focus contributing to their thesis.
- Early Career Academics (ECA) who completed their doctorate (or equivalent) in or after 2024, holding a university appointment during the grant period.
- Applicants must submit individually (no collective applications).
- Applicants may apply twice with the same subject, but must show improvement in the second proposal.
How Are Scholars Selected
- Selection Committee evaluates originality, significance, methodology, feasibility, and impact on the Olympic Movement.
- Applications must be complete and submitted in French or English.
- Notification of results: December 2026.
Which Countries are Eligible
- Global – open to PhD students and academics worldwide.
Where Will the Grant Be Taken
- Research visit at the Olympic Studies Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland.
How Many Scholars
- Highly competitive; typically 6 grants awarded annually.
What is the Benefit of the Grant
- Up to USD 6,000 research funding.
- Covers:
- Travel (economy class) & living expenses.
- Translation of essential materials.
- Web hosting/content development.
- Specialized software.
- Data collection costs (workshops, focus groups).
- Knowledge mobilization (publication fees, conferences, podcasts, blogs) – up to USD 1,500.
- Does not cover salaries, tuition, institutional overheads, or hardware purchases.
How Long Will the Grant Last
- Research visits scheduled between February–December 2027.
- Final report due by 31 December 2027.
Required Documents
- Completed application form.
- Proof of PhD enrolment or university appointment.
- Letter of recommendation (supervisor/mentor).
- Ethics approval (if human subjects/data involved).
- Disclosure of AI tool usage (if applicable).
How to Apply
- Prepare application in French or English.
- Submit completed application form + required documents by 22 September 2026.
- Attend optional online info sessions (23 June & 1 September 2026).
- Await eligibility confirmation (by 6 October 2026).
- Results announced by December 2026.
👉 Visit the official grant page for details
