Olympic Studies Grant supports PhD students and early career academics to conduct scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, Olympism, the Olympic Games and their societal and cultural impacts. The Olympic Studies Grant funds research visits, provides access to the IOC Historical Archives, and offers up to USD 6,000 for eligible research costs.
The programme is organised by the Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) of the IOC and is open globally to PhD students and early career academics. Research visits are scheduled at the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, with projects scheduled between February and December 2027 and a final report due by 31 December 2027.
Olympic Studies Grant Benefits
- Up to USD 6,000 research funding.
- Covers: Travel (economy class) & living expenses.
- Covers: Translation of essential materials.
- Covers: Web hosting/content development.
- Covers: Specialized software.
- Covers: Data collection costs (workshops, focus groups).
- Covers: Knowledge mobilization (publication fees, conferences, podcasts, blogs) – up to USD 1,500.
- Does not cover salaries, tuition, institutional overheads, or hardware purchases.
Olympic Studies Grant Eligibility Criteria
- PhD students enrolled for the entire duration of the grant, with Olympism/Olympic focus contributing to their thesis.
- Early Career Academics (ECA) who completed their doctorate (or equivalent) in or after 2024, holding a university appointment during the grant period.
- Applicants must submit individually (no collective applications).
- Applicants may apply twice with the same subject, but must show improvement in the second proposal.
- Research must focus on Olympism, Olympic Movement, Olympic Games impact, humanities and social sciences perspectives (history, sociology, law, cultural studies, etc.).
- Natural sciences such as biomechanics, physiology, medicine, and neuroscience are excluded.
Required Documents
- Completed application form.
- Proof of PhD enrolment or university appointment.
- Letter of recommendation (supervisor/mentor).
- Ethics approval (if human subjects/data involved).
- Disclosure of AI tool usage (if applicable).
Eligible Fields
Research must focus on:
- Olympism
- Olympic Movement
- Olympic Games impact
- Humanities and social sciences perspectives (history, sociology, law, cultural studies, etc.)
How to Apply for Olympic Studies Grant
- Prepare application in French or English.
- Submit completed application form + required documents by 22 September 2026.
- Attend optional online info sessions (23 June & 1 September 2026).
- Await eligibility confirmation (by 6 October 2026).
- Results announced by December 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Olympic Studies Grant Scholarship 2027. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, selection and how to apply for the research grant.
What is the IOC Olympic Studies Grant Programme?
The programme is the PhD Students & Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme organised by the Olympic Studies Centre (OSC). It supports scholarly research on the Olympic Movement, Olympism and the Olympic Games from humanities and social sciences perspectives, offering funding, archive access and research visits to Lausanne, Switzerland.
Who can apply for the grant?
Eligible applicants are current PhD students enrolled for the entire grant duration (with Olympic focus contributing to their thesis) and Early Career Academics who completed their doctorate in or after 2024 and hold a university appointment during the grant period. Applications must be individual submissions.
Which research fields are eligible?
Research must focus on Olympism, the Olympic Movement or the impact of the Olympic Games, approached from humanities and social sciences disciplines such as history, sociology, law and cultural studies. Natural sciences like biomechanics, physiology, medicine and neuroscience are explicitly excluded.
How much funding is provided?
The grant provides up to USD 6,000 in research funding. Eligible costs include travel (economy class), living expenses, translation, web hosting, specialised software, data collection costs and knowledge mobilisation up to USD 1,500. It does not cover salaries, tuition, institutional overheads or hardware purchases.
When is the application deadline and when are results announced?
Applications must be submitted by 22 September 2026 (23:59 CEST). Eligibility confirmations are expected by 6 October 2026, and the Selection Committee will notify successful applicants by December 2026.
Where will research visits take place?
Research visits are scheduled at the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, where awardees can consult the IOC Historical Archives and relevant collections. Visits are planned between February and December 2027, and a final report is due by 31 December 2027.
How are scholars selected?
A Selection Committee evaluates applications based on originality, significance, methodology, feasibility and the potential impact on the Olympic Movement. Applications must be complete and submitted in French or English for consideration.
How many grants are awarded?
The programme is highly competitive and typically awards around six grants annually. The exact number of recipients is not guaranteed but the announcement notes that approximately six grants are awarded each year.
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include the completed application form, proof of PhD enrolment or university appointment, a letter of recommendation (supervisor/mentor), ethics approval if human subjects or data are involved, and disclosure of AI tool usage where applicable.
In what languages can I submit my application?
Applications must be submitted in either French or English. The Selection Committee assesses applications submitted in these two languages, and applicants should prepare all required documents accordingly.
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