The SAARC Cultural Centre has announced the circulation of the SAARC Research Grants 2026 call for proposals, encouraging eligible researchers across the region to apply.

The grant focuses on the theme “Interpreting Shared Heritage: Cross-Cultural Narratives in Museums in the SAARC Region.” The initiative aims to promote deeper academic engagement with the region’s shared cultural history and the evolving role of museums in representing interconnected narratives.

According to the official call, selected researchers will receive USD 3,000 (or equivalent in local currency), disbursed in two installments, to support research projects. The grant period is expected to run for 10 months (May 2026 – March 2027).

Research Focus Areas

Applicants are invited to submit proposals aligned with key sub-themes, including:

• Colonial legacies and decolonization in museums
• Museum practices in collecting and curating
• Museums as knowledge repositories
• Museums as spaces shaping cross-cultural dialogue in South Asia

The program also emphasizes inclusive approaches, encouraging research that integrates marginalized perspectives and explores shared heritage across national boundaries.

Key Deadline

• Submission deadline: 10 May 2026

Academics, scholars, and researchers of the SAARC Member States who have previously received the SAARC research grants, within the last 5 years, are not eligible to apply.

Interested applicants can access detailed guidelines and application forms through the official SAARC Cultural Centre website. https://saarcculture.org/call-for-proposals-saarc-research-grants-2026/