TRAVEL GRANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT is now accepting applications for Student Travel Grant Awards for the Summer 2012 and IAP 2013 periods. Awards are open to all students in the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, especially graduate students preparing theses, or undergraduate students preparing an Optional Senior Thesis.

The proposed research must be primarily focused on some part of the Islamic world or an Islamic community. Comparative research that includes an Islamic topic is acceptable. Theses requiring research in an archive or collection with holdings related to the Islamic world, past or present, are also eligible. At least one award will go to an undergraduate or graduate student who has an internship in an architectural firm or a design-oriented NGO dealing with design or planning projects in some part of the Islamic world.

The maximum for each grant is $2,800. The AKPIA award may be combined with other sources of funding if necessary. AKPIA reserves the right to prorate its award when combined with another grant or fellowship.

Award recipients must complete their travel or internship either in Summer 2012 or IAP (January) 2013. Depending on their project completion, they must present their research at an AKPIA sponsored event in the Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 semester. A final report on the research and its findings of no less than 2000 words is also required.

Please complete the application form in http://web.mit.edu/akpia/www/travelgrantapp.htm. and follow the documentation submission instructions. Below are descriptions of the additional documents required.

1. A preliminary thesis proposal or description of the proposed design project(s).

2.Plan of travel and research (dates, places to be visited, specific research to be undertaken, duration, and budget).

3.Portfolio in the case of a design award or if relevant to research proposal.

4.Letter of support from adviser stating research topic, feasibility of the research, and verification of the need for travel. For design awards, a letter from the hiring person in charge stating project scope, specific duties of student, and conditions of internship (duration, payment, travel) is required.

5. Statement of language proficiency where relevant.

Proposal, travel plan, and letter of support, together with the other requirements, should be submitted electronically and if possible as a single PDF to akpiatravelapp@MIT.EDU. Detailed instructions can be found at http://web.mit.edu/akpia/www/travelgrantapp.htm.

Submission deadline is March 1, 2012. Awards will be announced by April 16, 2012.