French Institute for Studies in Central Asia (IFEAC) - IFEAC Mobility Grants

What the IFEAC Mobility Grant covers

You will receive your travel costs covered for a research trip from at least one month to Central Asia, to be undertaken as part of your Master’s or PhD thesis. The grant covers the costs of travel to and from your fieldwork location. There is no fixed monthly amount. The funding is provided by the French Institute for Central Asian Studies (IFEAC), based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which supports research in the region.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a Master’s student or a PhD student.
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a university in France or another European country.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects in the humanities and social sciences.
• Where you go: Your fieldwork must take place in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan or Tajikistan). Mongolia will only be considered if your topic is related to Central Asia.
• Timing: The trip takes place in 2026. It may begin no earlier than 15 March 2026 and must end no later than 1 November 2026.
• After the trip: You agree to write a working paper (a short research report) in accordance with the IFEAC’s author guidelines. If you have already received this scholarship, you may apply again.

How to apply

Download the French-language application form from the IFEAC website and submit your complete application documents: a CV, a certificate of enrolment, a letter of recommendation from your supervisor and a research summary of no more than 1,500 words. The application deadline is midnight Paris time on 19 January 2026. The IFEAC Scientific Advisory Board will assess each application in terms of its academic quality and feasibility and will inform you of the outcome in February or March 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very specific. You must be undertaking a Master’s or PhD project in the humanities or social sciences that involves fieldwork in specific Central Asian countries. As a result, the pool of applicants remains small compared to open scholarships. If your research project has a clear link to Central Asia, your supervisor supports you and you submit a well-justified, feasible project proposal, your chances are good.