The Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant Programme 2027 is accepting applications from PhD students and early career academics conducting Olympic-related research in the humanities or social sciences. Applications close September 22, 2026.
Researchers working on Olympic-related topics in the humanities and social sciences can apply for research funding through the Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant Programmes.
For the 2027 edition, the currently relevant opportunity is the PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme, an annual programme specifically intended to support researchers at earlier stages of their academic careers.
The application deadline for the 2027 edition is:
September 22, 2026.
The Olympic Studies Centre also operates an Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme for established researchers. However, that programme’s current edition is closed, with the next edition scheduled to launch in October 2026.
This distinction is important for researchers looking for an opportunity they can apply for now: the September 22 deadline applies specifically to the 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme, not the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme.
Olympic Studies Centre Research Grants 2027 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Olympic Studies Centre |
| Programme | PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme |
| Edition | 2027 |
| Research Focus | Olympic-related research |
| Academic Perspective | Humanities or Social Sciences |
| Target Applicants | PhD students and early career academics |
| Programme Frequency | Annual |
| Application Status | Current 2027 edition available |
| Deadline | September 22, 2026 |
| Application Form | Available |
| Programme Rules | Available |
| Research Agreement | Separate agreements for PhD students and early career academics |
| Advanced Research Programme | Current edition closed |
| Next Advanced Programme | Launching October 2026 |
| Advanced Programme Target | Established researchers |
What Are the Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant Programmes?
The Olympic Studies Centre offers research grant opportunities to scholars conducting research connected to the Olympic movement.
The opportunities highlighted by the Centre are intended for Olympic-related research approached from a humanities or social sciences perspective.
Rather than using one programme for every academic career level, the Centre divides its research funding into two principal programmes:
- Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme
- PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme
The programmes therefore provide potential routes for researchers at different stages of their academic careers.
Two Olympic Research Grant Programmes
The distinction between the two programmes is important.
Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme
This programme is intended for:
Established researchers.
It is organised:
Every two years.
The current edition is closed.
However, the Olympic Studies Centre states that the:
Next edition will be launched in October 2026.
PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme
This programme is designed for:
- PhD students
- Early career academics
Unlike the advanced programme, it is organised:
Annually.
For the 2027 edition, applications have a deadline of:
September 22, 2026.
PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme 2027
The 2027 programme is the most immediately relevant opportunity for early-career researchers.
Researchers should consider this programme if they are conducting eligible Olympic-related research and fall within one of the two target categories:
- PhD student
- Early career academic
The Olympic Studies Centre provides dedicated rules and an application form for this programme.
The 2027 rules were published on April 30, 2026, and specify the September 22, 2026 application deadline.
Research Areas
The broad research requirement is important.
The Centre describes its grants as opportunities for researchers conducting:
Olympic-related research under a humanities or social sciences perspective.
That means applicants should be able to demonstrate a substantive relationship between their research project and Olympic studies.
The supplied programme overview does not provide a closed list of eligible academic disciplines.
Researchers should therefore use the detailed 2027 programme rules when determining whether a particular project falls within the programme’s scope.
Potential Research Contexts
Because the official overview specifies humanities and social sciences, the programme may be relevant to research involving the Olympic movement from academic perspectives such as social, historical, cultural, political or related humanities and social-science approaches.
However, applicants should not assume that every sports-related research project automatically qualifies.
The defining issue is whether the proposed research satisfies the Olympic-related research requirements contained in the official programme rules.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The 2027 programme is specifically relevant to:
PhD Students
Doctoral researchers working on an eligible Olympic-related research project can consider the programme.
Early Career Academics
Researchers who fall within the programme’s definition of an early career academic can also apply.
Applicants should use the detailed 2027 rules to confirm how the Olympic Studies Centre defines these categories and whether they satisfy all additional conditions.
The general programme page supplied here does not provide every detailed eligibility condition.
What the Source Does Not Establish
It is important not to add eligibility requirements that are not stated in the supplied programme overview.
The page does not, by itself, establish a universal:
- Nationality requirement
- Country restriction
- Age limit
- Degree field
- Minimum GPA
- Required university ranking
- Language-test requirement
- Fixed funding amount
- Stipend amount
- Travel allowance
- Accommodation allowance
These details should only be stated where they are supported by the official 2027 rules.
Therefore, the opportunity should not be promoted with an invented funding figure or described as “fully funded” solely on the basis of this overview.
Is There a Specific Grant Amount?
The supplied research grant programme page does not state the monetary value of the 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant.
For that reason, it would be inaccurate to advertise a specific award amount based only on this source.
Applicants should consult the official 2027 programme rules for the complete financial conditions.
Is the Olympic Studies Centre Grant Fully Funded?
The supplied overview calls these opportunities research grants, but it does not describe the 2027 PhD and Early Career programme as a universally “fully funded” fellowship.
Researchers should therefore distinguish between:
Receiving a research grant
and:
Receiving full funding for all research, tuition and living expenses.
Those are not automatically the same thing.
What Makes This Opportunity Different From a Scholarship?
This programme is primarily a research grant, rather than a conventional degree scholarship.
That distinction matters.
A scholarship commonly contributes toward the cost of completing a degree, such as tuition or living expenses.
The Olympic Studies Centre programme is structured around supporting eligible research projects related to Olympic studies.
Applicants should therefore focus their application on the proposed research and its academic relevance rather than approaching it as a general postgraduate scholarship application.
2027 Application Deadline
The deadline for the PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme is:
September 22, 2026
The Olympic Studies Centre explicitly identifies this as the deadline for the 2027 edition.
Researchers considering the programme should therefore begin preparing their applications before the closing date.
Application Documents
The Olympic Studies Centre provides several resources specifically for the PhD Students and Early Career Academics programme.
These include:
- 2027 programme rules
- Application form
- Research project agreement for Early Career Academics
- Research project agreement for PhD Students
- Final Research Report Front Page Cover
- Financial Report Template
These resources indicate that successful participation involves not only submitting an initial proposal but also complying with research and financial reporting requirements.
2027 Programme Rules
The first document prospective applicants should review is the:
PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme Rules
The current document is specifically identified as relating to the 2027 edition.
Applicants should use those rules as the authoritative source for detailed requirements that are not included on the programme overview page.
Application Form
A dedicated application form is available for prospective applicants.
Researchers should review the entire form early rather than waiting until the deadline.
Doing so can help identify what information, institutional details, research descriptions or supporting documentation may be needed.
Separate Research Agreements
The Centre provides separate research project agreements for:
Early Career Academics
and:
PhD Students.
Applicants should therefore make sure they consult the agreement corresponding to their applicant category.
Financial Reporting
The programme also provides a:
Financial Report Template.
This indicates that grant holders may need to account for the financial use of their research grant.
Researchers should therefore keep clear and accurate records of eligible research expenditures in accordance with the official grant conditions.
Research Reporting Requirements
The Olympic Studies Centre provides general Reporting Guidelines for Grant Holders.
These guidelines are intended to help successful researchers prepare:
- Progress reports
- Final research reports
Applicants should therefore understand that receiving a grant can create continuing reporting responsibilities.
A successful application is not the end of the grant process.
How to Prepare for the Application
Researchers interested in the September 22 deadline should approach the application systematically.
1. Confirm Your Career Category
Determine whether you qualify as:
- A PhD student, or
- An early career academic
using the definitions contained in the official rules.
2. Confirm the Olympic Relevance of Your Research
The research needs to have a meaningful Olympic dimension.
A general sports project should not simply add the word “Olympic” to its title.
The proposal should clearly establish why the research contributes to Olympic-related knowledge.
3. Confirm the Academic Perspective
The programme is presented for Olympic-related research under:
- Humanities perspectives
- Social sciences perspectives
Applicants should make their disciplinary approach clear.
4. Read the 2027 Rules
The rules should be reviewed before completing the application form.
This can prevent researchers from developing a proposal that later proves ineligible.
5. Review Previously Awarded Projects
The Olympic Studies Centre provides a list of Research Projects Awarded.
The list covers awarded research projects since 1999, organised by theme, with links to full-text versions where available.
Reviewing previous projects can help applicants understand the types of questions and research approaches that have previously received support.
It should not, however, lead applicants to copy previous projects.
The objective should be to identify how a new project contributes original value.
How to Strengthen an Olympic Research Proposal
A competitive research proposal should clearly explain several things.
Research Problem
What specific issue does the project investigate?
The problem should be sufficiently focused to be researched effectively.
Olympic Relevance
Why does this question matter specifically to Olympic studies?
Applicants should make the connection explicit rather than expecting reviewers to infer it.
Research Gap
What is missing from existing scholarship?
A strong project normally explains why additional research is necessary.
Research Questions
Research questions should be:
- Clear
- Focused
- Researchable
- Connected to the broader project objective
Methodology
Applicants should explain how they intend to answer their research questions.
The methodology should correspond with the project’s humanities or social-science perspective.
Expected Contribution
Explain how the research could contribute to:
- Academic knowledge
- Olympic studies
- Historical understanding
- Policy discussions
- Institutional knowledge
- Future scholarship
depending on the project’s subject.
Use Previous Awarded Projects Strategically
The Olympic Studies Centre makes its record of awarded projects available to prospective researchers.
This is particularly useful because applicants can examine the programme’s history rather than applying without any understanding of previous funding.
The list is organised by theme and includes links to full-text versions when available.
Researchers can use this resource to:
- Identify well-covered subjects
- Understand the scope of Olympic research
- Find related scholarship
- Refine research questions
- Identify gaps
- Avoid unnecessary duplication
Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme
Researchers who are already established in their fields should pay attention to the second programme.
The Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme is intended for established researchers and operates every two years.
Its current edition is closed.
However, the next edition is scheduled to launch in:
October 2026.
This means established academics who cannot apply through the PhD and Early Career programme may have another opportunity shortly after the September 2026 early-career deadline.
Advanced Programme Documents
The Centre already provides resources associated with the Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme, including:
- Programme rules
- Application form
- Collective research project agreement
- Individual research project agreement
- Assessment and evaluation process
- Peer-reviewer list
- Final research report cover
- Financial report template
However, because the next edition has not yet launched according to the supplied page, applicants should wait for the October 2026 edition before assuming that previous rules, deadlines or financial conditions will remain unchanged.
Individual and Collective Research
One notable feature of the Advanced programme is the availability of separate research project agreements for:
- Collective applications
- Individual applications
This suggests that the Advanced programme accommodates different research structures.
However, researchers interested in the next edition should verify the new October 2026 rules before relying on conditions from the closed edition.
Assessment and Evaluation
The Olympic Studies Centre also publishes information concerning the Advanced programme’s:
Assessment and evaluation process
and its:
List of Peer-Reviewers.
This provides useful transparency for established researchers interested in understanding how proposals have historically been assessed.
Again, the next edition’s official rules should be treated as authoritative once published.
General Resources for Applicants
The Olympic Studies Centre provides additional resources covering both research grant programmes.
These include:
Research Projects Awarded
A historical list of projects supported since 1999.
How to Complete the Grant Programmes Application Forms
This resource provides instructions and tips for completing the application forms.
Reporting Guidelines for Olympic Studies Centre Grant Holders
This document assists successful researchers in preparing progress and final reports.
Applicants should use these materials as part of their preparation rather than relying only on the application form.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
Missing the September 22 Deadline
The 2027 PhD Students and Early Career Academics programme closes on September 22, 2026.
Applying to the Wrong Programme
PhD students and early career academics have a dedicated annual programme.
Established researchers should instead watch for the Advanced programme launching in October 2026.
Assuming Every Sports Research Project Qualifies
The programme specifically concerns Olympic-related research.
Inventing a Funding Amount
The supplied overview does not state a specific 2027 grant value.
Calling the Programme Fully Funded Without Evidence
The programme is a research grant. The supplied source does not establish that every cost associated with the researcher’s degree, living expenses or research is fully covered.
Ignoring the Programme Rules
The overview is not a substitute for the detailed 2027 rules.
Failing to Demonstrate Olympic Relevance
The relationship between the proposed project and Olympic studies should be central to the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Olympic Studies Centre Research Grants available for 2027?
Yes. The PhD Students and Early Career Academics Research Grant Programme has a 2027 edition.
What is the 2027 deadline?
The application deadline is:
September 22, 2026.
Who can apply?
The current programme is intended for:
- PhD students
- Early career academics
Applicants should consult the official rules for the detailed definitions and additional eligibility requirements.
What type of research is supported?
The programme is intended for Olympic-related research under a humanities or social sciences perspective.
Is this a scholarship?
It is described as a research grant programme, not a general degree scholarship.
How much funding is available?
The supplied programme overview does not specify the 2027 grant amount. Applicants should consult the official programme rules.
Is the grant fully funded?
The supplied overview does not establish universal full funding. It should therefore be described as a research grant rather than automatically marketed as a fully funded scholarship.
Is there an opportunity for established researchers?
Yes. The Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme is intended for established researchers.
Is the Advanced Olympic Research Grant currently open?
No. The current edition is closed.
When will the next Advanced Olympic Research Grant open?
The next edition is scheduled to launch in:
October 2026.
Is the Advanced programme annual?
No. It is organised every two years.
Is the PhD and Early Career programme annual?
Yes.
Are application forms available?
Yes. The Olympic Studies Centre provides a dedicated application form alongside the programme rules.
Are there reporting requirements?
The Centre provides financial reporting templates and general reporting guidelines for grant holders, including guidance for progress and final research reports.
Can I see previously funded research?
Yes. The Olympic Studies Centre provides a list of awarded research projects dating back to 1999, organised by theme, with links to full-text versions where available.
Final Thoughts
The Olympic Studies Centre Research Grant Programme 2027 provides a targeted funding opportunity for PhD students and early career academics conducting Olympic-related research from humanities or social-science perspectives.
Unlike general postgraduate scholarships, this opportunity focuses specifically on supporting research connected to Olympic studies.
For researchers who fit the early-career programme, the most important date is:
September 22, 2026 — Application Deadline
Applicants should begin by reviewing the official 2027 rules and application form, confirming their applicant category and ensuring that their proposed research has a clear and substantive Olympic dimension.
The Centre’s archive of previously awarded projects is also a valuable resource for understanding the programme’s research landscape and identifying opportunities for original contributions.
Established researchers have a separate opportunity to watch. The current Advanced Olympic Research Grant Programme is closed, but its next edition is scheduled to launch in October 2026.
Researchers should avoid assuming that the two programmes have identical eligibility rules, funding levels or application requirements. Each programme serves a different career stage, and the detailed rules for the relevant edition should guide the application.
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