2012-2013 Postdoctoral Fellowship Programsfor Advanced Historical Research in Islamic Art and Architecture

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University (AKPIA) is pleased to announce its Postdoctoral Fellowship and Associateship Programs for the 2012-2013 academic year.
The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture is pleased to invite applications for Fellowships with stipends and self-supported Associateships to conduct advanced historical research in Islamic art and architecture at Harvard University. AKPIA Fellowship grants are intended principally for overseas scholars-preferable, but not exclusively, from Muslim countries-to support research in art and architectural history and archaeology. Our grants are not intended to sponsor travel or design, conservation, or urban development projects.

We welcome applications both from established scholars and from recent graduates. Research projects that are publishable in Muqarnas: An Annual on the Visual Cultures of the Islamic World, an annual publication of the Aga Khan Program, are preferred.

AKPIA Fellows and Associates have an affiliation with Harvard University’s Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA). Our AKPIA scholars are free to pursue their own research, audit Harvard seminars, and are given access to Harvard’s extensive library system as well as the University’s museums.

FELLOWSHIPS:

Postdoctoral Fellowships enable scholar to continue their studies under the general supervision of one or more Harvard faculty members. Each Fellow is free to pursue her/his own research without any obligations other than presenting a public lecture on her/his research project–as part of the AKPIA lecture series, A Forum for Islamic Art and Architecture–and submitting an article based on the research at Harvard for consideration in Muqarnas. AKPIA Fellows have access to all Harvard University libraries, museums, and facilities. Fellows are welcome to audit Harvard seminars, if they so choose.

RESIDENCY:

Each Fellow is responsible for finding her/his own housing in the Harvard area. The Program does not provide housing for its scholars.

Fellowship grants are not intended to fund travel research. While Fellows’ stipends may be used for research and travel expenses, AKPIA Fellows are expected to remain in residence full-time in the Harvard area. Incoming Fellows should plan to make only rare and brief research visits to other places, as may be required by their research projects.

DURATION & DATES:

The duration of Fellowship ranges from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 9 months, ordinarily between September and May. (To view the the Harvard academic calendar, click here.)

FELLOWSHIP FUNDING:

The stipend awarded to each Fellow is based on need and length of stay. Stipends may not exceed a total of $27,000 (gross income, before taxes).

Funds for Fellowships are limited; when funds are not available for a strong Fellowship candidate, an Associateship may be offered in lieu of a Fellowship.

HEALTH INSURANCE:

Fellows may be eligible to enroll in University health insurance during the open enrollment periods. Proof of insurance is required of Fellows who opt to use other health insurance plans.

FELLOWSHIP TOPICS:

To view recent Fellows’ research topics, click here.

ASSOCIATESHIPS:

An AKPIA Associate is an unpaid scholar given Harvard library and museum access in furtherance of a well-defined, specific research project. Associateships enable scholars greater flexibility in carrying out independent research. Associates are given access to Harvard’s extensive library system as well as the University’s museums. Some Associates are given the opportunity to participate in the AKPIA lecture series, A Forum for Islamic Art and Architecture, and departmental symposia.

RESIDENCY:

Residency is not required; Associates are not required to remain in the Harvard area for the duration of their appointment.

Associates are responsible for finding their own housing; the Program does not provide housing for its scholars.

DURATION:

The maximum duration of an Associateship is 12 months.

FUNDING:

Associateships are unpaid positions. Applicants with outside sources of funding are encouraged to apply.

ASSOCIATESHIP RESEARCH:

To view recent Associates’ research topics, click here.

BASIC APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have a doctoral degree (PhD, DPhil, or equivalent).
A solid command of written and spoken English is expected.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Application materials must be submitted in hard copy only; the Committee will not review application materials sent by email, nor will the Committee consider incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline. The following materials are required of applicants:

completed, signed application coversheet (2 copies)
curriculum vitae (2 copies)
research proposal, including proposed budget^ (2 copies)
two different writing samples of previous research publications (2 copies each)
letters of recommendation* from two professors/professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s research (1 per recommender)
original transcript* from each institution where graduate work was conducted (1 per institution); photocopies will not be accepted, and transcripts must be in their original, sealed envelopes.

* These materials may either be mailed directly to the Program from the institutions or recommenders (preferred), may be sent by a professional dossier and credentials service (such as Interfolio), or may be included with the other application materials in their original, sealed envelopes. All other materials should be submitted together in a single envelope or package.

^ See the Fellowship Funding and Associateship Funding sections above.

Application materials should be mailed to:
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
Harvard University
Attn: AKPIA Fellowship Program
485 Broadway, Sackler Museum
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA

APPLICATION COVERSHEET:

The required application coversheet may be downloaded and printed; it is available as a writable PDF.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Direct inquires about the AKPIA Fellowships and Associateships at Harvard University to agakhan@fas.harvard.edu.

Application materials should be mailed to:
Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
Harvard University
Attn: AKPIA Fellowship Program
485 Broadway, Sackler Museum
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA