2026 Grant Program from the Barakat Trust: Support for Studies in Islamic Art and Cultural Heritage

Program Aim

The Barakat Trust grant program aims to support academic research, conservation and restoration projects, digitization efforts, educational scholarships, and publishing activities related to Islamic art, architecture, archaeology, and material culture. The program primarily focuses on studies concerning the pre-AD 1920 period.

Who Can Apply?

• Individuals: Academics, students, and researchers. (Individual awards are not paid to personal bank accounts, but through an institution.)
• Institutions: Museums, libraries, universities, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions.
• Geographical scope: Although the program is open to global applications, preference is given to applications from the Islamic world or studies focusing on the Islamic world.

Grant Categories and Support Amounts

• A1 – International Student Scholarship: Up to £25,000 for postgraduate students.
• A2 – Postgraduate and Early Career Award: Up to £2,000 for fieldwork and travel expenses.
• A3 – Major Projects: Comprehensive projects such as conservation, excavation, and digitization (two-stage application).
• A4 – Publication Grant: Up to £6,000 for academic publications.
• B2 – Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford (two-stage application).
• B3 – Oxford Master’s Scholarship: Tuition fee support for master’s studies at the University of Oxford.

Application Process

Applications are to be submitted by downloading and completing the relevant category application form, and sending it together with the required supporting documents and two reference letters to [email protected] or through the specified online system.

For detailed information, to review application guidelines, and to access category-specific forms, you can visit the official website of the Barakat Trust.