Christine Mona Khademi Research Fund

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new student research fund made possible by Monib Khademi in memory of his daughter, Christine Mona Khademi. The gift provides funds for undergraduate and graduate students conducting research on topics related to Iran with a major focus on one or more of the areas listed below:

Research focused on women and their impact in scientific, social, or political arenas looking both to the future as well as the past.
Research that promotes finding common ground and that encourages tolerance in Iranian society. By way of example only and not by way of limitation, such areas include religion, politics, sexual identification or other areas that tend to divide society in significant ways.
Programs designed to empower and integrate those individuals with neurodivergent thinking or communication challenges in a society that is organized around neurotypical thinking or communication. Such programs may be centered around work, social activities, and lifestyle options.

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

Christine Mona Khademi

Christine Mona Khademi (1989-2013) graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in biology with honors in 2012. She was a brilliant young scholar, was inclusive and loving, and appreciated and valued people—particularly those who brought different perspectives to the conversation. In her life, art, views, discussions, writings, and humor, she would often see and discover what was new, original, and wasn’t often seen by the rest of us. From an early age, Christine dared to dream of a world that embraced equal rights and peace, and hoped to work for a world that honored the diversity of all people. She sought to heal people—physically and psychologically—and aspired to be a doctor.

Learn more about Christine

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

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.

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.