The David and Catherine Cuthell Summer Research Fellowships in Turkish Studies

The David and Catherine Cuthell Summer Research Fellowships in Turkish Studies

The deadline for submission is April 5, 2026 (Applications are now closed)

 

The Sakıp Sabancı Center for Turkish Studies at Columbia University is pleased to announce its annual David and Catherine Cuthell Summer Research Fellowships for students conducting research in any area of Turkish Studies. This includes the study of Turkish-speaking peoples from ancient times to the modern era, as well as the cultures and civilizations of the former territories of the Ottoman Empire and the modern Republic of Turkey.

This fellowship is designed to defray the costs of travel and living expenses associated with conducting research in Turkey. Each fellowship carries a stipend of up to $3,000 and is intended to support library, archival, or collection research in Turkey for a minimum of one month during the summer of 2025.

Language training in Modern Turkish or Ottoman Turkish may also be supported, provided that the applicant demonstrates clear research needs for this training.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to:

  • Undergraduates, MA students, and first- through sixth-year PhD students in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division of Columbia University’s School of Arts and Sciences.
  • Applicants must be in good academic standing.

Students who have previously received a David and Catherine Cuthell Summer Fellowship may reapply, but no individual may receive this fellowship more than twice. Priority will be given to first-time applicants in cases where qualifications are equal.

Conditions
  • Fellowship funds may not be used to hire third parties to conduct on-site archival or field research on behalf of the recipient.
  • This fellowship cannot be held simultaneously with another grant awarded for the same project.

If you have been awarded another summer grant for the same project, please notify the Sakıp Sabancı Center immediately.

Application Instructions

Students interested in applying for the David and Catherine Cuthell Summer Research Fellowships must submit the following materials to [email protected]:

  1. CV
  2. Statement: A statement (up to 500 words) explaining the research project, accompanied by a one-page appendix outlining:
    • The research schedule
    • A timetable for the project’s completion
    • Planned field research activities (e.g., library, archival, or collection resources to be accessed or individuals to be interviewed)
  3. Amount Requested and Budget: A detailed budget, including the amount requested and any other funding sources, if applicable.
  4. Letter of Recommendation: Undergraduate and MA students must also submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Submission Guidelines:

  • All documents (except the letter of recommendation) should be consolidated into a single .pdf file.
  • The letter of recommendation should be sent directly by the faculty member to the email address above.