The IOC Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline:  22 September 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 OSC PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme. rch Grant Programme. The IOC Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) has launched a new edition of the grant programme for PhD Students and Early Career Academics engaged in scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, its history and ideals, the athletes, the Olympic Games and their impact on the various aspects of contemporary society and culture.

Objectives
The objectives of the programme are as follows:

1. Support PhD Students and Early Career Academics and foster excellence in Olympicrelated research with a humanities and/or social sciences perspective.
2. Facilitate a research and study visit at the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne,
   Switzerland (the Olympic Capital), and the consultation of the OSC’s collections
   (including primary sources and the IOC historical archives).
3. Support the next generation of scholars in the field of Olympic studies.

Requirements

• All current postgraduate students enrolled in a PhD degree programme within the human and/or social sciences encompassing Olympism, the Olympic Movement or the Olympic Games as, at least, one of their research foci.
• All academic staff members and postdoctoral fellows who have completed their doctorate or equivalent highest degree (including masters, depending on the field) in or after 2024, are also eligible.

Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a research grant of a maximum of USD 6,000. The total amount to be awarded will be decided by the Grant Programme Selection Committee after full consideration of all elements of the application.
EXPENSES COVERED
Research expenses directly related and essential to the project as follows:

• Travel (economy class) and living expenses, where directly linked to the project and/or required for consultation of the IOC Historical Archives and / or OSC’s collections in Lausanne;
• Translation of essential research materials;
• Web hosting and content development;
• Software not provided by the applicant’s university;
• Data collection costs (e.g. workshops and/or focus groups);
• Other relevant and justified research expenditure.

• Research assistance and transcription costs will normally not be covered unless sound justification is provided.
• Expenses contributing to knowledge mobilisation of the applicants’ research results (e.g. publication fees, participation at conferences, podcasts, blogs, etc.) are accepted, with an
  upper limit of USD 1,500 for all activities combined.

Application Procedure:

Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted in either French or
English, the two official languages of the Olympic Movement.
Completed application files must include the following documents:

1. Official application form duly completed (see “Instructions and tips for completing the Research Grant Programmes application forms”).
2. Proof of registration covering the period of the grant (from submission of the application to delivery of the final report), issued by the university administration on institutional letterhead (Appendix 1):
   o for PhD students: current proof of doctoral enrolment;
   o for ECA: current proof of a university appointment, including academic/research status.
3. Letter of recommendation written on institutional letterhead, signed and sent by the
   applicant’s supervisor (for PhD students) or mentor (for ECA).

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the OSC PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme