IOC Olympic Studies Research Grant 2027: Up to USD 6,000
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Apply for the IOC Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant 2027, an annual funding opportunity supporting humanities and social sciences research on the Olympic Movement, Olympism, and the societal impact of the Olympic Games. Research grants of up to USD 6,000 are available, including support for research visits to the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Access the IOC Historical Archives and one of the world's leading collections on Olympic history and culture while contributing to the next generation of Olympic scholarship.
Quick Highlights
| Opportunity Name | IOC Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant 2027 |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Olympic Committee (IOC) |
| Programme | PhD Students & Early Career Academics Research Grant |
| Funding | Up to USD 6,000 |
| Eligibility | PhD Students & Early Career Academics |
| Research Focus | Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Location | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Application Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
Opportunity Overview
| Host Organisation | International Olympic Committee (IOC) |
|---|---|
| Centre | Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) |
| Programme Name | PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme 2027 |
| Grant Type | Research Grant |
| Funding | Up to USD 6,000 |
| Eligibility | PhD Students & Early Career Academics |
| Research Focus | Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Location | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Application Mode | Official Application Form |
| Application Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
About the Research Grant Programme
The Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) created this programme to support the next generation of scholars conducting innovative research on the Olympic Movement from humanities and social sciences perspectives. The grant enables researchers to develop original academic work while benefiting from the Centre's extensive collections.
Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Research Focus | Humanities and social sciences |
| Olympic Focus | Olympism, Olympic Movement, or Olympic Games |
| Archive Access | IOC Historical Archives and collections |
| Research Visits | Opportunity to conduct research in Lausanne |
| International Committee | Evaluated by Olympic studies experts |
| Competitive | Limited number of grants awarded annually |
Who Can Apply?
PhD Students
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Enrolment | Enrolled in PhD programme throughout grant period |
| Discipline | Humanities and/or social sciences |
| Research Focus | Olympism, Olympic Movement, or Olympic Games as major focus |
| Thesis Contribution | Project contributes directly to doctoral thesis |
Early Career Academics
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Doctorate | Completed in or after 2024 |
| University Appointment | Hold appointment covering grant duration |
| Discipline | Humanities and/or social sciences |
Not Eligible
| Category | Reason |
|---|---|
| Previous Recipients | OSC PhD and Early Career Research Grant recipients |
| Collective Applications | Group applications not accepted |
| Natural Sciences | Biomechanics, physiology, medicine, neuroscience |
| Athlete-Focused Projects | Topics under other organizations' responsibility |
Research Themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Olympism | Olympism and Olympic values |
| Olympic Movement | The Olympic Movement |
| Olympic History | Historical dimensions of the Games |
| Sport and Society | Societal impact of sport |
| Culture | Culture and the Olympic Games |
| Politics | Politics and global governance of sport |
| Media | Media and communication |
| Gender & Inclusion | Gender, inclusion, and identity |
| Education | Education and Olympic heritage |
| Social Dimensions | Social, historical, or cultural dimensions |
Funding and Eligible Expenses
| Expense | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Travel | Economy-class travel |
| Living Expenses | During research visits |
| Archives | Consultation of IOC Historical Archives |
| Research Visits | Visits to Lausanne |
| Translation | Translation of essential research materials |
| Digital Dissemination | Web hosting and digital dissemination |
| Research Software | Software not provided by university |
| Workshops | Workshops, focus groups, data collection |
| Knowledge Dissemination | Up to USD 1,500 for publication fees, conferences, podcasts, blogs |
Not Covered:
Salaries
Tuition fees
Institutional overheads
Insurance
Hardware purchases
Expenses incurred before grant begins
Required Application Materials
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Official application form |
| Proof of Status | PhD enrolment or university appointment |
| Recommendation Letter | Signed by supervisor or mentor |
| Ethics Approval | Where required |
| AI Disclosure | Disclosure of AI tools used |
Important Note:
All supporting documents, including recommendation letter, must be submitted before deadline
Applications accepted in English or French
Selection Criteria
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| Academic Quality | Quality of the proposal |
| Originality | Originality and significance of research |
| Literature Review | Well-developed literature review |
| Methodology | Robust methodology |
| Feasibility | Feasibility of the project |
| Ability | Applicant's ability to complete research |
| Contribution | Contribution to Olympic studies |
Research Visit to Lausanne
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Olympic Studies Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Period | February–December 2027 |
| Scheduling | In consultation with successful applicants |
| Access | Rare historical collections and primary sources |
Important AI Policy
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| AI Use | Responsible use permitted with full disclosure |
| Assistance | Proofreading, summarization |
| Original Contribution | AI must not replace applicant's original intellectual contribution |
| Responsibility | Researcher responsible for originality, academic integrity, ethics, plagiarism prevention |
Important Dates / Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Information Session 1 | 23 June 2026 |
| Information Session 2 | 1 September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
| Eligibility Confirmation | 6 October 2026 |
| Award Notifications | End of December 2026 |
| Research Visits | February–December 2027 |
| Final Report Due | 31 December 2027 |
Important Links
| Description | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Grant Programme Rules | |
| Olympic Studies Centre |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the grant amount? | Up to USD 6,000 |
| Who can apply? | PhD students and early career academics |
| What disciplines are eligible? | Humanities and social sciences |
| What is the research focus? | Olympism, Olympic Movement, Olympic Games |
| What is the application deadline? | 22 September 2026 |
| Where is the research conducted? | Olympic Studies Centre, Lausanne |
| What expenses are covered? | Travel, living, archives, research visits |
| How do I apply? | Official application form |
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The IOC Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant offers a unique opportunity for PhD students and early career academics to conduct innovative research on the Olympic Movement. The grant's focus on humanities and social sciences, combined with access to the IOC Historical Archives, provides scholars with resources unavailable elsewhere.
The programme's support for research visits to Lausanne and knowledge dissemination activities makes it valuable for scholars seeking to advance Olympic studies. The competitive selection process ensures that only the most promising research projects receive funding.
For researchers interested in sport, society, culture, and the Olympic Movement, this grant offers both financial support and access to one of the world's leading collections on Olympic history.
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| PhD Students | ✓ |
| Early Career Academics | ✓ |
| Humanities Researchers | ✓ |
| Social Sciences Researchers | ✓ |
| Sport Studies Scholars | ✓ |
| Olympic Studies Scholars | ✓ |
| Cultural Studies Researchers | ✓ |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | High |
| Selection Difficulty | High |
| Application Complexity | High |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Recommendation Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Funding Value | Good |
| Career Impact | High |
| Networking | High |
| Application Difficulty | High |
| Archive Access | Excellent |
This opportunity is highly recommended for PhD students and early career academics conducting research on the Olympic Movement. The grant provides valuable funding, archive access, and networking opportunities for scholars in Olympic studies.
Final Call-to-Action
Visit the official grant programme page to review the complete rules and submit your application. Prepare all required documents, including proof of enrolment/appointment, recommendation letter, and AI disclosure. Submit before the 22 September 2026 deadline.
🔗 Apply Now: https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Olympic-Studies-Centre/Academic-Activities-and-Network/Academic-research/PhD-Students-Grant-Programme-Rules.pdf
🏛️ Organisation Website: https://www.olympics.com/ioc/olympic-studies-centre
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