State, Society, and Economy in Change – Multilateral-Cooperative Research Projects on the Arab World (completed)

Objectives

In front of a backdrop of ongoing upheaval in the Arab world, this call concentrates on supporting research on the social, political and economic transformation processes taking place in the region. A further aim is to reinforce networking between researchers in Germany and in the Arab region, as well as among the Arab project partners, and in particular to promote young academics.  

Scope of Funding

The Foundation invites proposals from candidates in the humanities – especially in the fields of the social sciences, political science, and geography – who wish to do research on the current transformation processes unfolding in the Arab region. Proposals are also invited for projects focusing on comparative studies of the present upheavals and (former) transformation processes in other regions of the world.

The call is aimed especially at researchers from North Africa and the "Middle East". Researchers from other Islamic countries or geographic regions may also be eligible for funding, provided their project design fits in with the thematic scope of the call. The project must include the participation of a German research institution. In the interest of networking, beside the German partner, projects should also involve the participation of researchers from at least two Arab countries

Details of requirements and the application procedure can be found under Information for Applicants (pdf). Applications must be filed electronically via the electronic application system.

Background

Since 2012, the Volkswagen Foundation has already granted funding to a total of five cooperation projects with Arab partners. In response to the ongoing upheavals in the Arab world, the Foundation subsequently decided to expand its commitment in the region by initiating the present call.