Hossein Amanat Research Fund

We are pleased to announce the launch of a fund for the study of Persian arts and architecture. Made possible by Dr. Hossein Amanat, the gift provides funds for Stanford undergraduate and graduate students conducting research on topics related to Persian arts and architecture.

Projects can be undertaken during any quarter of the year; students may apply for a quarter or year-long research project.

Hossein Amanat

Hossein Amanat established his international reputation in 1966 when, as a recent graduate, he won a nationwide competition to design the Shahyad (now Azadi) Monument in Tehran—an architectural icon that has since become a symbol of modern Iran. This early success led to a series of prestigious commissions, including some of the most acclaimed modern buildings in Iran: the Persian Heritage Centre; the School of Management at the University of Tehran; the Aryamehr (now Sharif) University of Technology; the Iranian Embassy in Beijing—regarded as one of the architectural highlights of the city's diplomatic quarter—and the planning of Darya Kenar, a new town on the Caspian Sea.

Born in Iran in 1942, it was remarkable that such a young architect was entrusted with projects of this…

How to Apply for Research Funding

Grant applications are reviewed by the Iranian Studies Program and decisions will be made within four weeks of complete application submission. For questions, please contact the Iranian Studies rparhad [at] stanford.edu (Associate Director), Roma Parhad.

Application Form

Applications for funding are currently accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit applications at least four weeks before funding is needed. All funding will be contingent upon university policies, including those regarding COVID and travel.

1. Project Proposal (1-2 pages)

Describe the project to be undertaken, relevance to the study of Iran, and significance for the student’s research and academic development. Include a budget outline (estimated) for proposed activity.

2. C.V. or Resume

3. Unofficial Transcript

A copy of unofficial transcript from Axess, saved as a PDF.

4. A Single Letter of Recommendation

A single letter of recommendation from the applicant’s thesis advisor or the primary faculty member with whom they are working. The letter should speak to the specific project being proposed and sent directly by email to rparhad [at] stanford.edu (Roma Parhad). Please note: letters of recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline! You are encouraged to reach out to faculty in advance so they have enough time to try to accommodate your request.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled Stanford students.
Preference will be given to students minoring in Global Studies with a specialization in Iranian Studies and to applicants who have not previously received Iranian Studies funding.
Funding is available to undergraduates, coterms, and graduate students whose research interest focuses on Iran. Coterm students must still have undergraduate status.
Stanford policy may restrict undergraduate student travel to countries with State Department advisories. Read Stanford University’s International Travel Policy. Please contact the Iranian Studies associate director if you have questions about how this policy would affect your project or grant application.
PLEASE NOTE: If a stipend is awarded, it is considered a resource, and it can/will impact the student’s need-based aid. View more information about the stipend policy.

Expenses

The grant may be used for travel, lodging, and living costs associated with off-campus research or training; the purchase of research materials; research-related services (e.g. duplication costs, production of questionnaires/surveys, human subject costs, data entry, transcribing interviews, running focus groups); and costs associated with training (e.g. tuition, registration fees, tutoring costs).

Requests must be for expenses that are not covered through other sources of funding. Applicants may simultaneously apply for other sources of funding, but they may not accept multiple sources of funding for the same expenses. The itemized budget should clearly list sources of confirmed and/or pending funding.

Requirements

Recipients are expected to submit a 1-2 page report upon the completion of their project, describing how the project has developed, what was learned, and next steps regarding their research project and career. Recipients who use the grant toward language training are expected to submit a transcript or training completion certificate.