The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has opened applications for its 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme. This grant supports young scholars studying the Olympic Movement, Olympism, Olympic Games, athletes, sports history, and their effects on society. It offers funding and access to special resources for researchers around the world.
Purpose of the Programme
The IOC Olympic Studies Centre runs this grant to boost high-quality research on Olympic topics. It focuses on work from humanities and social sciences fields. The goal is to help new scholars explore how the Olympics shape culture, politics, education, and more.
Since 1999, the programme has aided over 148 researchers from many countries. It lets them use the IOC’s archives in Lausanne, Switzerland. This support helps create fresh ideas and shares Olympic knowledge globally.
Research Topics Welcome
The grant covers a wide range of Olympic-related subjects. Here are some examples:
- Olympic history and heritage
- Athlete growth and roles
- Sports rules and policies
- Olympic education and values
- Gender and diversity in sports
- Media coverage of the Olympics
- Social, political, and economic effects of the Games
- Olympic legacy and green practices
- Sports in world diplomacy
- Cultural sides of the Olympic Games
Projects that mix different fields, like history and sociology, stand out.
Special Access to Resources
One big perk is entry to the IOC Olympic Studies Centre’s collections. Winners can visit Lausanne to study original documents and old records. They also get full use of the Olympic World Library, which holds over 42,000 books and papers on Olympics.
These tools help researchers find rare facts and build stronger work. The IOC wants this to keep Olympic history alive for everyone.
Who Can Apply
This grant targets early-stage scholars in Olympic studies.
PhD Students must be enrolled in a humanities or social sciences PhD program. Their work needs to center on Olympism, the Olympic Movement, or the Games.
Early Career Academics include postdocs, academic staff, or those who finished their doctorate (or equal degree) in 2024 or later. In some fields, a master’s might count as the top degree.
People from any country can apply.
Application Steps and Deadline
Download the form from the IOC Olympic Studies Centre website. Fill it out with your research plan and send it to the centre.
The deadline is Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Check the rules and guidelines first. Two online info sessions will explain how to apply, what they look for, and the process.
Email [email protected] for questions.
How Applications Are Reviewed
A committee of Olympic studies experts and IOC staff picks winners. They score based on:
- Quality of the research
- New ideas in the topic
- Fit with Olympic studies
- Strong methods
- Value to the field
This ensures the best projects get support.
Other IOC Research Grants
The IOC also has an Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme for senior scholars like professors and senior fellows. It opens in October 2026 for 2027-2029.
Both programmes build a strong network of Olympic researchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the IOC 2027 Research Grant Programme?
PhD students in humanities or social sciences programs focused on Olympic topics can apply, along with early career academics who finished their doctorate in 2024 or later.
What is the deadline to submit applications?
The deadline is Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Download the form from the IOC Olympic Studies Centre website and follow the guidelines.
What resources do grant winners receive?
Winners get funding and special access to the IOC archives in Lausanne, plus the full Olympic World Library with over 42,000 items.
What research topics does the grant cover?
It supports topics like Olympic history, athlete roles, gender diversity, media coverage, social impacts, and cultural aspects of the Games.
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