Dissertation Completion Grant (The application cycle for 2025-26 is now closed.)
Established in 2012, the Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies supports teaching and research on all aspects of Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at Princeton University. We encourage a comprehensively interdisciplinary approach to advance the understanding of the region, with special attention to its role and significance in the contemporary world. Our scholars and students explore a broad range of topics that address history, politics, economy, religion, literature, art and culture with a primary focus on the modern states that border the Persian Gulf.
In line with its mission, the Center offers a Dissertation Completion Fellowship that will be given to a doctoral student whose research project addresses topics related to the history, society, arts, culture, economy, and/or politics of Modern Iran (1900-present).
This award includes the full amount of DCE costs for the academic year and a stipend equal to 10 months of the University Fellowship.
For 2024-25, the 10-month award (Fall & Spring) was $41,600 plus two terms DCE tuition and SHP fees. Rates are adjusted annually (~April).
If applicants receive external funding, the Mossavar-Rahmani Center will top off the funds to bring it to the University support level.
Recipients are NOT allowed to hold any form of employment during their fellowship.
TO APPLY:
Please submit application materials to: [email protected] with the subject heading:
Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center Dissertation Completion Enrollment Fellowship Application.
DEADLINE: For the 2025-2026 academic year: Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
For the application, you will need to submit the following:
PROJECT TITLE: Enter dissertation title or proposed research project.
START AND END DATE: Enter the first and last days of class, Sept. 2, 2025 and April 24, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Enter the names of (ONLY) two professors. Please have them email recommendations directly to me at [email protected] by no later than Tuesday, April 1, 2025 with the subject heading: DCE Fellowship Recommendation for [insert last name]. No extensions past this date can be granted.
DOCUMENTS: (Please attach the following materials:)
1) your research proposal (five double-spaced pages maximum) and of the research that has already been carried out. The description must highlight the main findings of the study and situate the thesis in the existing field of inquiry related to the applicant's discipline. Please include a short paragraph on how you will contribute to and benefit from the Center's Dissertation Completion Award.
2) writing sample (one of your dissertation chapters or other graduate paper)
3) a c.v.* of no more than 2 pages, and
4) a transcript.
* Please indicate in your c.v.: a) your current year of enrollment and b) your enrollment (or DCE) status as of Fall 2025. EXAMPLE: Current status: Enrolled, G5; Fall 2024 status: DCE1.
The deadline for the submission of the application is Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Letters of recommendation will be accepted until
Tuesday, April 1, 2025. It is YOUR responsibility to notify your professors of this deadline and allow ample time for them to complete their letters.
The Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies must be mentioned in the acknowledgements of the final draft of the dissertation.
Following the completion of the dissertation, the awardee will be invited to present a talk at the Center on the topic of their thesis.