Call for proposals
The special programme "Islam, the modern nation state and transnational movements" is aimed at researchers who, with an eye to current developments, are examining the emergence of political movements in the Islamic world at the national and/or transnational level. Historical studies are encouraged and supported, together with projects in the areas of religious, cultural or political science: What emancipatory, what modern elements does political Islam promise and integrate? What developments, what connections, what similarities in the key categories, interpretations and claims are to be drawn between pan-Arabism and pan-Islamism at the close of the 19th century and the movements of today? What historical self-descriptions are recognizable in the concepts? Via what specific ideas of communalisation can social radicalisation and mobilisation for violence be legitimised?

The special programme takes a look at the dynamics between Islamic teachings, Islamism, nationalism and transnational orientations and environments. Scientific discussion of the countries and regions of the Islamic world should bring together expertise possessing regional and thematic focus in order to allow the problems associated with areas of conflict to be expounded upon, particularly with regard to global influences and processes of cultural exchange.

Proposals will be supported that address the particularities and contexts of cultural and historical environments and relationships. The projects’ deliverables should be able to make a contribution to diverse and expert discussions in public and political circles.

Applications are invited for funding to undertake research projects, scientific conferences and events. PhD scholarships are only granted within the framework of the special programme in connection with a research project.

Academic coordination is provided by the Institut für Diaspora- und Genozidforschung in Bochum, led by Prof. Dr. Mihran Dabag (tel. +49 234 32 29702, email: The Foundation’s Board of Trustees decides on the applications on the basis of recommendation by expert referees and members of the Academic Advisory Committee.

Call for proposals
In 2004, the Gerda Henkel Foundation launched a programme to support outstanding scholars whose research is focused on Central Asia, mainly on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Northern Afghanistan, Southern Siberia, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Xinjiang. The programme aims to stimulate academic research projects in the areas of Archaeology and Art History as well as projects in the fields of History, Historic Islamic Studies, Architecture and the Fine Arts. Scientists from Central Asian countries are invited to apply for this programme. Moreover, it supports projects that ideally should be based on cooperation between scholars from the above-mentioned countries and European experts specialised in Central Asia. The Foundation sets great store by supporting the up-and-coming generation of scientific minds.

Information on the application procedure can be found here.

In 2010, the Special Programme to support the next generation of historians in Russia, the Ukraine, Moldova and Belarussia will be integrated in the Foundation's Basic Programme. The last application deadline for the Special Programme "Eastern Europe" was 01 April, 2010. After this last call for papers, applications from Russia, the Ukraine, Moldova and Belarussia will be considered within the Foundation's Basic Programme.