UNESCO 2021 Silk Roads Youth Research Grant

UNESCO launches a call for young women and men under the age of 35 to apply for the 2021 ‘Silk Roads Youth Research Grant’. 12 research grants of USD10,000 will be awarded. The Grant aims to mobilize young researchers for further study of the Silk Roads shared heritage.

As part of the Silk Roads and MOST Programmes 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, has launched the ‘Silk Roads Youth Research Grant’ within the framework of the Social and Human Sciences Sector. This new 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.

The Silk Roads Youth Research Grant is a new initiative that UNESCO has organized with the support of the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO, in the context of its Silk Roads and MOST Programmes which are part of UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Programme.

The research needs to address specific issues relating to

the Silk Roads shared heritage and plural identities,
its internal diversity,
its potential in contemporary societies for creativity, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, regional and international cooperation, and
ultimately sustainable peace and development.

Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Postgraduate researchers, 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 the research of a group or collaborative project.

What fields of Silk Roads Research 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
Traditional Knowhow and Craftsmanship
Religion and Spirituality
Language and Literature
Arts and Music
Traditional Sports and Games

The Silk Roads are an expansive region composed of a network of maritime and land routes. Originating in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia the Silk Roads cross the Central Asian sub-continent, the Russian steppe, the Iranian and Anatolian plateaus, and the Arabian Peninsula. They also stretch through North Africa and Northeast Africa, from Tanzania to Morocco. Additionally, they pass through Eastern and Southern Europe, before reaching France and Spain.

How to submit your research proposal?
Applicants are required to submit their research proposals by completing the template provided detailing their research, its methods, expected outcomes and contribution to existing scholarship. Proposals should be submitted in English and sent to: silkroadsgrant@unesco.org(link sends e-mail)

When is the deadline?
The deadline for submitting proposals is 18 April 2021.

The submitted research proposals will be evaluated by a scientific panel comprised of renowned international academics. The list of grant awardees will be announced at the end of June 2021.

Applicant Guidelines
A comprehensive guide to the grant, including details on applicant eligibility criteria, suitable research topics, and evaluation process, is available here.