2026 APSA MENA Methods Workshop - Fully Funded to Qatar

If you are an early-career scholar from the MENA region, applications are now open for the APSA MENA Methods Workshop Fellowship 2026—a fully funded, immersive four-day workshop to be held from January 5–8, 2026 at the Doha Institute (DI) in Doha, Qatar. This workshop, organized by the American Political Science Association (APSA) in partnership with DI, explores participatory and engaged research methods in the MENA region, aiming to build methodological skills and strengthen scholarly networks. Read on for details.

📚 Workshop Summary

• Location: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (Doha, Qatar)

• Organizer: American Political Science Association (in partnership with Doha Institute)

• Type: Four-day in-person workshop

• Target Group: Advanced doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, early-career scholars (PhDs earned within past 5 years), and early-career PhD-holding practitioners from MENA countries (e.g., Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, etc.)

• Fields of Focus: Political Science and related social science disciplines—peace & conflict studies, international studies, development studies, etc.—especially those using participatory, engaged, and field-based research methods

• Value & Coverage:

  • Full coverage for travel, lodging, and workshop materials for up to 20 selected fellows

• Duration: Four days (January 5–8, 2026)

• Application Deadline: September 14, 2025

• Start Date: January 5, 2026

• Eligible To: Applicants who are citizens of MENA countries, with professional fluency in English; preference for those based at regional institutions

🧭 Workshop Overview

This intensive workshop is part of a multi-year APSA initiative to promote political science research across the Arab MENA region and foster academic linkages with international counterparts.

Curriculum & Activities:

• Lectures and sessions on participatory research approaches, their strengths, limitations, and theoretical grounding

• Case studies of successful participatory and engaged research projects

• Discussions around the promises and pitfalls of survey research in MENA

• Integrating diverse data sources—interviews, focus groups, survey data, participant observation

• Deep dive into research collaborations, including philosophical, ethical, and pragmatic dimensions

• Reflection on positionality in research—both in-field and in scholarly writing

• Peer presentations, feedback sessions, and professional development opportunities—typical of APSA’s MENA Workshops series

🎁 Benefits

Fees Covered:

• International travel to and from Doha

• Local lodging during the workshop

• Workshop materials and any associated in-program resources

Professional Perks:

• One-year complimentary membership to APSA upon full participation

• Network building with peers, regional faculty, and international scholars

• Access to APSA’s scholarly resources, journals, and membership benefits post-workshop

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be from MENA countries (e.g., Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen)

• Advanced doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and scholars who received their PhD within the last five years; early-career practitioners with PhD are also eligible

• Preference for candidates currently based at regional institutions

• Professional fluency in English required

📝 Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted in English and include:

1. Completed online application form 

2. Current CV / resume detailing academic and professional experience

3. For advanced graduate students & early-career scholars:

   • A research statement (maximum 2,000 words)—describing work-in-progress: research questions, brief literature overview, methodology/fieldwork plans, project contributions, and relevance to workshop themes

   • The project must be independent (not co-authored or already published/accepted) and may derive from a dissertation if aligned with the workshop’s focus

4. For PhD-holding practitioners:

   • A cover letter (maximum 1,500 words)—explaining motivation, current research interests & methods, how the workshop supports professional development, and description of an applied research project aligning with workshop themes

5. One letter of reference on official letterhead:

   • From a dissertation supervisor for graduate students

   • From a former supervisor, colleague, institutional official, or employer for postdocs, faculty, or practitioners

6. Supporting documents can be uploaded directly or sent to [menaworkshops@apsanet.org.]

🚀 Why This Opportunity Matters

This workshop is a unique opportunity to:

• Deepen expertise in participatory and engaged research methodologies tailored to the MENA context

• Sharpen analytical, ethical, and practical research skills in a collaborative, peer-supported environment

• Gain visibility and networking within an international academic community

• Receive financial support and APSA membership—lowering barriers and expanding scholarly reach

📂 Resources

2026 MENA Methods Workshop Call PDF