Hey future game-changers! Ready to make a real impact with your research? If you’re an early-career scholar passionate about political science or social sciences in the MENA region, then listen up! We’re diving into the details of the APSA MENA Workshop Fellowship Bursary 2026 – a fantastic opportunity to get fully funded for a workshop in beautiful Doha, Qatar!
The APSA MENA Workshop Fellowship Bursary isn’t your typical study bursary; it’s an incredible, fully-funded workshop designed for early-career scholars from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Organized by the American Political Science Association (APSA) in partnership with the Doha Institute, this four-day in-person workshop (January 5-8, 2026) will explore the exciting theme of participatory and engaged research. It’s all about strengthening research networks and supporting cutting-edge political science research in the MENA region. Think of it as a chance to connect with peers, refine your research, and make a significant contribution to your field!
Who Can Apply?
So, who’s this amazing opportunity for?
This fellowship is specifically looking for talented individuals who are:
- Advanced doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, or early-career scholars (meaning you received your PhD within the last 5 years).
- PhD-holding practitioners who are also early in their careers.
- Citizens of countries within the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
- Scholars focused on political science or other social science disciplines like peace and conflict studies, international studies, and development studies.
- Undertaking research that uses participatory and engaged methods, especially projects with in-country fieldwork, original data collection, and exploring methodological, ethical, and practical challenges.
- Professionally fluent in English.
A little bonus: Priority will be given to scholars currently based at universities or research institutes in the MENA region. Please note, this opportunity is geared towards scholars from the MENA region, so if you’re a South African student, this particular fellowship might not be the right fit, but keep exploring other amazing opportunities on Bursaries Room!
What Does It Cover?
This is the best part! If you’re one of the lucky 20 qualified applicants, the organizers have got you covered!
- Full Funding: All your participation costs, including travel to Doha, Qatar, comfortable lodging, and workshop materials, will be fully covered.
- APSA Membership: After you successfully complete the program, you’ll receive a one-year membership to the American Political Science Association (APSA), opening up even more networking and research opportunities!
The workshop also focuses on fascinating sub-themes like approaches to participatory research, real-world project examples, the promises and pitfalls of survey research in the MENA, integrating diverse data, ethical considerations in research collaborations, and reflections on researcher positionality.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in? Here’s how to get your application ready for this fantastic workshop:
Make sure all your application materials are in English and include:
- The completed online Application Form (you’ll find the link on the official webpage!).
- A detailed and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
- For Advanced Graduate Students and Early-Career Scholars: A research statement (maximum 2,000 words). This should clearly outline your research questions, a brief literature review, your methods or plans for data collection/fieldwork, the anticipated contribution of your project, and how it connects to the workshop themes. Your project should be individual (not co-authored) and a work-in-progress, not something already completed or published.
- For PhD-Holding Practitioners: A cover letter (maximum 1,500 words) explaining your motivation for attending, your current research interests and methodologies, and how this training will boost your professional development or future research plans. If you have an applied research project, describe its questions, methods, and how it aligns with the workshop themes.
- One letter of reference, on official letterhead and scanned as an electronic file. If you’re a graduate student, this should be from your dissertation/academic supervisor. If you’re a post-doctoral fellow, faculty member, or practitioner, it can be from a former supervisor, colleague, university official, or employer.
You can upload your supporting documents with your online application or send them directly via email to: menaworkshop@apsanet.org
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Find the official application form and more details here: Visit the Official APSA MENA Workshop Fellowship Webpage
If this sounds like the perfect next step for your research journey in the MENA region, make sure to apply before the deadline! Even if this specific fellowship isn’t for you, keep exploring more amazing opportunities right here on Bursaries Room – your go-to place for funding your future!
