Academic Support Program for Researchers from CIS and Central-Eastern Europe

“The Legacy of Islamic Thought and Contemporary Education”

1. Program Objective

The Program of the Institute of Knowledge Integration is aimed at supporting Master’s and PhD students from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Ukraine, the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), as well as Central European countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania) who conduct research dedicated to the intellectual and spiritual legacy of prominent thinkers associated with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

There is growing interest in Islamic thought, philosophy, and ethics in the academic landscape of the CIS, Ukraine, the Baltic region, and Central Eastern Europe. However, this interest is often limited to individual humanities disciplines and is not accompanied by systematic methodological support. Many outstanding thinkers associated with IIIT have made significant contributions to the development of modern Islamic humanism, epistemology, and the ethics of science, yet their works remain insufficiently studied in the post-Soviet and Eastern European academic context.

Supporting young researchers will not only enable a deeper understanding of this intellectual heritage but also facilitate its adaptation to contemporary educational, social, and cultural challenges. Despite a significant Muslim population and a rich Islamic cultural history, universities in the CIS and Eastern Europe still have a limited number of research centers in the field of Islamic thought. The Program lays the foundation for a new generation of scholars proficient in both Islamic and modern academic methodologies.

Additionally, young scholars in the region often face limited access to primary sources, contemporary academic networks, and international discussions. Participation in the IIIT Program will allow them to join the global community of Islamic thought researchers, exchange expertise, publish internationally, and represent regional scholarly contributions to the global field.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates: Citizens of the CIS countries, Ukraine, and the Baltic States who are enrolled in Master’s or PhD/doctoral programs at higher education institutions, both within the region and abroad.

• Research focus: The work (MA or PhD) must be directly related to the academic study of the legacy of IIIT founders — Ismail al-Faruqi, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman, and Taha Jabir al-Alwani. The research may be broad or centered on specific works, their influence, reception, significance, and role within modern Islamic thought.

• Language: English or any other academic language accepted by the student’s institution, provided that an English summary is included.

3. Format of Support

• Duration: Up to 2 years (with possible extension upon confirmation of academic progress).

• Support package:

  – Monthly stipend covering living, food, and academic expenses;
  – Access to IIIT archives and primary sources;
  – Participation in summer schools, forums, seminars, and conferences organized by IIIT and its partners, fully funded by the Program;
  – Consultative and methodological supervision by IIIT academic mentors.

4. Financial Conditions

• The stipend amount is determined individually, taking into account academic compensation standards in the country of study.

• Payments are issued monthly throughout the academic year.

• Additional support may be provided for field research, archival work, and publications.

5. Application Process

• Applications are accepted year-round.

• A response will be provided within one month of submission.

• Required documents:

  – Motivation letter (250–300 words);
  – Full CV;
  – Rsearch proposal (minimum 1,200 words) in English or Russian;
  – Proof of admission to a Master’s or doctoral program (in the language of the institution). If not available at submission time, it may be submitted later but is required before funding can begin;
  – Academic transcript: bachelor’s transcript for Master’s applicants, master’s transcript for PhD applicants;
  – One publication (optional but encouraged).

• Candidate selection is conducted by the IIIT Academic Support Committee, which includes scholars, IIIT representatives, and experts in Islamic thought. The Committee is chaired by Dr. Mykhaylo Yakubovych, University of Freiburg, Germany.

• Evaluation criteria:
  – quality of the research proposal;
  – relevance of the topic to the legacy of IIIT scholars;
  – academic and societal significance of the research for the region.