APARRI Research Grants
Overview
The Asia Pacific American Religions Research Initiative (APARRI) Research Grant supports scholarship that advances scholarly and public knowledge of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) religions.
We invite applications from scholars pursuing research on AAPI religions across all disciplines, including the social sciences, humanities, theology, and interdisciplinary work. For the 2026–27 grant cycle, we are especially interested in supporting projects that highlight research on AAPI religions and democracy, and/or on AAPI faith and life.
The applicant’s final product of the project should be a scholarly work. This can take the form of a monograph, article, dissertation, digital research project, critical edition, or other scholarly resource. The grant supports projects at any stage of development. Funds can be used to:
- Complete a project
- Provide seed money to start a larger project
- Accomplish smaller tasks within a larger project
(See the FAQ section below for a full list of activities and items eligible for funding.)
Faculty may request funds for a sabbatical, or for replacement costs for one course release, contingent on approval of the department chair and/or dean at the faculty member’s institution. (See “Research Leave and Course Release” below for details.)
See previously awarded Research Grants
Award Amounts (maximum)
- $25,000: Full-time Faculty and Lecturers
- $10,000: Graduate students, independent scholars, postdoctoral scholars, and part-time faculty and lecturers
Because the selection process is competitive, the final award amount may vary and might be less than the amount requested.
Key Dates
- Applications open: Now accepting applications
- Application deadline: December 15, 2026
- Decision notifications sent: By February 15, 2027
- Attend APARRI 2028: June 2028
- All grant funds must be spent by: September 15, 2028
- Final report due: October 15, 2028
APARRI is committed to building a robust intellectual community. All grant awardees are required to attend and encouraged to present at an APARRI 2028.
Eligibility
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a graduate degree or be a graduate student
- Propose a project with a focus on AAPI religions
APARRI is committed to building a robust intellectual community. All grant awardees are required to attend, and encouraged to present at, an APARRI conference.
Application Guidelines
All applications must be submitted online and must include the following materials:
- Online Application Form
- Proposal (no more than 10 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 11-point font, inclusive of any footnotes or endnotes). Please use the following subheadings:
- Title
- Abstract (max of 350 words)
- Goals
- Significance of project
- Description of project
- Methodology
- Product/Deliverable
- Timeline
- Bibliography (no annotation, maximum two pages)
- Budget, including other potential sources of funding (if relevant), with budget justification (maximum two pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (Maximum five pages)
- Academic Writing Sample
A polished piece of academic writing, no more than 25 pages total. This may be drawn from previously published work. - Letter of Support (if applicable)
Required only for faculty requesting research leave or course release: a letter of support from the applicant’s department chair or dean. - Letter from Financial Administrator (if applicable)
Required only for faculty requesting more than $10,000: a letter from the institution’s financial administrator confirming the indirect cost rate (no more than 10%) and the institution’s support for administering the subaward.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- The project’s potential to advance and make an original contribution to scholarly and public knowledge of AAPI religions and democracy, and/or AAPI faith and life.
- The quality of the proposal, including its methodology, scope, theoretical framework, and grounding in relevant scholarly literature.
- The feasibility of the project and the likelihood that the applicant will complete the work within the proposed timeframe and budget.
- A budget that reflects responsible and reasonable use of funds.
- The applicant’s scholarly record and career trajectory.
What the Grant Covers
Eligible Expenses
- Travel, meals, and lodging for research trips
- Research leave
- Course release (no more than one course release)
- Research assistance
- Transcription and translation services
- Research-related expenses such as indexing, editorial assistance, manuscript workshops, or books
- Equipment directly related to research (excluding computer equipment, tablets, and office furniture)
- Childcare and elder care, up to 10% of the total project budget
Expenses Not Covered
- Food delivered to homes, or food consumed during online meetings
- Stipends for writing the grant proposal
- WiFi or other home utility fees
- Travel, meals, or lodging for family and friends
- Computer equipment, tablets, and office furniture
- Summer salary
- Living expenses
- Tuition and school fees
- APARRI Conference registration and attendance
Research Leave and Course Release
Faculty applying for sabbatical pay should note: the total support a grantee receives from their home institution and other sources — including the APARRI grant (up to $25,000) — may not exceed the candidate’s 2026–27 academic year salary. Summer salary is not covered.
Receiving Your Grant Funds
Disbursement Method
- Awards under $10,000 are disbursed directly to the awardee as a single check. These awards are subject to taxes, and grantees are responsible for all related tax reporting.
- Awards of $10,000 or more, including course replacement funds, are processed as a subaward to the awardee’s institution. Institutions may request up to 10% in indirect costs.
Disbursement Timeline
- Funds are disbursed once financial information has been submitted.
- Awards under $10,000 are typically disbursed soon after APARRI receives the required financial information.
- Awards of $10,000 or more are processed as subawards to the grantee’s institution, which takes 6–8 weeks after financial paperwork is completed. This process requires coordination with grant administrators at the awardee’s institution and can be time-consuming.
Important: Subawards not processed by April 15, 2027 will be cancelled.
Responsibilities After Receiving the Grant
- Attend the 2028 APARRI Conference. Conference attendance cannot be budgeted as part of the grant. Awardees are responsible for registration costs, though financial assistance may be available through a separate conference scholarship application.
- Complete the project and use all grant funds by September 15, 2028.
- Submit a final report by October 15, 2028.
FAQs
Yes. An APARRI grant may be used concurrently with other fellowships, grants and sabbatical pay.
APARRI will begin accepting applications August 1, 2026. Completed applications must be submitted through the APARRI online grant administration system no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on December 15, 2026.
No. Alterations are not permitted once an application has been submitted.
Notifications will be sent via email by February 15, 2027.
Grant activities and use of funds must be completed no later than September 15, 2028.