Call for Applications
Deadline January 15, 2024
CERF grants support original research leading to the publication of a book or monograph concerning Persianate culture by individual scholars from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Grants do not exceed US $1500 and provide funding for the following: publication costs for a book or monograph, technical equipment necessary for specific research projects, such as computers, printers, scanners, voice recorders, or digital cameras; travel expenses for archival research that will directly result in an original book or monograph. The deadline for receipt of electronic submissions is January 15th of each year. Awards are announced on March 1st. The award period is for one year.
CERF does not support the publication of periodical articles. The publication of previously published works, including translations from English, will be considered only in exceptional circumstances when the applicant can demonstrate a critical need for such a work. Applications for projects based on original archival or field research and those leading to the publication of previously unpublished manuscripts, lithographs, documentary sources or material culture are strongly encouraged.
Instructions for applying may be found below.
2023 CERF Recipients:
The CERF Committee is pleased to announce three 2023 awards:
Dr. Davlatkhoja Davutov, Chief Researcher, National Museum of Tajikistan, Department of Archaeology and Numismatics ($1500) for technical equipment and the publication of The Shol Treasure of Copper Vessels from the 11th-12th Century (to be published posthumously).
Ms. Sabohat Donayorova, Khorog State University, Department of Literature and Journalism, Khorog, Tajikistan ($1500) for the publication of The Print Media of Gorno-Badakhshan from the Soviet Era to the Independent Republic of Tajikistan: A Study of the Newspaper“Badakhshan”.
Mr. Abdurahmon Sharifzoda, National Museum of Tajikistan, Department of Archaeology and Numismatics ($1500) for the purchase of a digital camera and laptop leading to the publication of a catalog of Kushan coins contained in the National Museum of Tajikistan,Dushanbe.
2023 CERF Committee:
Daniel Beben (Nazarbaev University)
Louise Marlow (Wellesley College)
Karolina Rakowiecka-Asgari (Jagiellonian University)
2022 CERF Recipients:
The CERF Committee is pleased to announce one 2022 award:
Dr. M.S. Musoev, Director, Department of Manuscript Heritage of the National Museum of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan ($1500) for the publication of a Catalog of the Collection of Manuscripts, Lithographic Books and Historical Documents housed in the Department of Manuscript Heritage of the National Museum of Tajikistan.
2022 CERF Committee:
Jo-Ann Gross (The College of New Jersey)
Beatrice Manz (Tufts University)
Gabrielle van den Berg (Leiden University)
2021 CERF Recipients:
The CERF Committee is pleased to announce two 2021 awards:
Bibisulton Navbahorova, Center for Written Heritage of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan ($1500) for the publication of the Diwan-i Mirzaibad-i Shidzi. This 19th century manuscript by the Badakhshani poet Mirzaibad-i Shidzi is contained in the Berthels collection of the Center for Written Heritage of the National Academy of Sciences in Dushanbe.
Dr. Nabijon Rahimov, Khujand State University, Khujand, Tajikistan ($1500) for the publication of a monograph with map and field data on the archaeological sites in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan. Dr. Rahimov has been involved in the study of archaeological sites in Sughd since 1980.
2021 CERF Committee:
Jo-Ann Gross (The College of New Jersey)
Beatrice Manz (Tufts University)
Gabrielle van den Berg (Leiden University)
Eligibility
A minimum degree equivalent to a B.A. Grantees may only reapply for a CERF Grant after five years from the receipt of a previous CERF award.
Selection
Awards are made once a year. An ASPS evaluation committee reviews applications. Every effort is made to provide regional balance in the distribution of grants based on:
- Importance of the topic
- Academic merit of the proposed project
- Demonstrated career commitment to the field
- Feasibility of the project
- Potential impact of the research
- Adequate academic and professional experience of the candidate
Application
CERF candidates must submit an electronic application in MS Word format by January 15th to the Director of the CERF program, Dr. Jo-Ann Gross, at gross@tcnj.edu with the following required information:
A. Background Information
- Name and address, email address, fax number
- Place and date of birth
- Citizenship
- Institutional name and address
- Research field or discipline
- Highest degree obtained
B. Research Proposal
- Title of research project
- Description of project (1-2 typewritten pages). The description should include: Theme, Purpose, Methodology, Potential impact and importance of the publication, and Language of publication
C. Budget (including detailed account of specific expenses)
Please keep a copy of the application requirements for your records and check off each category prior to application submission. Incomplete applications will be invalidated.
Award and Final Report
Grant recipients must submit a written report and two copies of any publication resulting from the award within two months of the award completion period. The report must include the following: name of project and objectives; extent to which the objectives were met; impact of project; receipts of all expenses.
Final reports, including receipts of all expenses, must be remitted at the end of the project period in order for the CERF to meet its own internal accounting requirements that ensure the CERF’s continued operation.
