IAHR Summer/Winter School Status & Grant

The International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) aims to promote the academic study of religions by fostering international collaboration among scholars within and across its Member and Affiliate associations engaged in the historical, social, and comparative study of religions. The IAHR recognizes the importance of contributing to the future of the study of religions by supporting young researchers and strengthening their academic communities. To this end, it provides spaces for their meetings in an atmosphere of interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, discussion, and cooperation. Thus, the IAHR will introduce the IAHR Summer/Winter School Status & Grant starting in 2025/26.

An IAHR Summer/Winter School consists of a series of lectures, seminars, and other academic activities organized by an IAHR Member or Affiliated association, in collaboration with a study and/or research institution. It takes place over several days to a few weeks during the summer or winter break. Students can attend the school as part of an academic program on their own, or for personal or professional development. The IAHR supports one Summer/Winter School per year with a grant of up to 5000 EUR.

Who can apply for an IAHR Summer/Winter School Status & Grant?

A member or a group of members from one or more IAHR Member or Affiliate associations in good standing is eligible to apply. The application must be submitted in the name of the Member or Affiliate association(s) and with its support.

Application criteria:

  1. The Summer/Winter School shall be co-organized by a Member or Affiliate association and an academic institution (university or research institute).
  2. The Summer/Winter School shall address themes, problems, and/or methodological approaches in the study of religions.
  3. The Summer/Winter School shall be aimed at an international audience, including international lecturers and early-career researchers (PhD students and postdocs).

Evaluation criteria:

  1. The Summer/Winter School discusses relevant themes, problems, and/or methodological approaches in the study of religions.
  2. The Summer/Winter School commits to balancing the representation of academic disciplines, genders, and countries.
  3. Priority will be given to those applications that invite IAHR member scholars as teaching faculty.
  4. The Summer/Winter School must follow “the IAHR Guidelines for Public Outreach” and comply with the IAHR Code of Conduct.
  5. The IAHR Summer/Winter School Grant is included in a financing plan that includes at least one other source of income.

Within one month of the event, the Summer/Winter School organizers must provide a report with supporting documents on how the grant was used, as well as pictures from the Summer/Winter School to be published on the IAHR website, its e-Bulletins and its social media accounts.

The IAHR Summer/Winter School Grant may cover the following expenses: travel and accommodation for guest lecturers and young scholars, coffee and lunch breaks, teaching and work material production, and field trips. No more than one-third of the grant can be used for coffee and lunch breaks, teaching and work material production, or field trips.

The IAHR Summer/Winter School Grant is intended as a partial contribution and at least one other financing source is expected. The organizers are expected to reimburse any unused portion of the grant.

IAHR Summer/Winter School Status and Grant applications can be submitted every year by October 31 for the following calendar year in a single PDF document to the IAHR Secretary General. The application must include a comprehensive description of the topic, planned activities, lecturers, and target audience, as well as a budget and a plan to advertise the Summer/Winter School. The IAHR Executive Committee is responsible for evaluating the applications and may appoint a subcommittee for this task. The result of the evaluation will be communicated in early December.