Qatar National Library has announced the opening of applications for the third cycle of its Research Fellowship Programme, following the strong success of its previous two editions and the growing academic interest the programme has attracted since its launch. The fellowship offers researchers and scholars a unique opportunity to engage with the Library’s specialised and rare collections, while contributing to the development of distinguished studies and research on Qatar and the wider region.
The announcement event for the third cycle featured a keynote address by Professor Mustafa Aqeel Mahmoud, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, former Head of the Department of History, and Director of the Documentation and Humanities Research Center at Qatar University. His lecture, titled “Writing History: A Critical Perspective”, explored key questions in historical research and interpretation. Professor Mustafa Aqeel is one of the leading specialists in the history of the Arabian Gulf and has received several prestigious State awards in recognition of his outstanding scholarly and research contributions to history, literature and the humanities.
Reflecting the programme’s growing impact, the current second cohort has introduced three new areas of focus within the fellowship’s research scope. Hessa Al Mohannadi, Director of Legal Affairs at Qatar Tourism Authority and holder of a PhD in Gulf Studies from Qatar University, is examining the impact of Q-Tel in Qatar during the 1980s. Jarmila Kodrik, Conservation Specialist at Qatar Museums and a PhD researcher in archival studies, is conducting heritage research into the transition from manuscripts to printed works in Qatar. Media researcher Kawthar Al Shtewi is exploring the impact of monetary transformations on trade and everyday life in Qatar between 1959 and 1973.
Commenting on the occasion, Abeer Al Kuwari, Director of National Collections and Special Initiatives at Qatar National Library, said: “We are proud to see this programme continue to grow and flourish as a leading destination for academic research in the region. The previous two cycles have strengthened our firm commitment to providing researchers with the support and comprehensive knowledge access they need to explore Qatar’s rich history through a rigorous academic lens.”
The momentum of the current cycle builds on the success of the programme’s first edition, which attracted more than 60 applications and resulted in three outstanding research projects. Abdulrahman Kamel presented a historical case study on the development and evolution of Qatar’s aviation diplomacy. Dr Aliou Mangang’s research focused on mechanisms for organising and presenting Qatar’s social history, while Ghaliya Al Mohannadi examined ways to revive a sense of place by activating the architectural dimensions and experiences of Qatari heritage.
Speaking about these achievements, Dr Eman Saleh Al Shammari, Director of National Collections at Qatar National Library, said: “The research projects completed by the first and second cohorts, from tracing the dimensions of Qatar’s aviation diplomacy to examining the impact of monetary transfers, clearly demonstrate what researchers can achieve when they are given direct and guided access to our specialised collections. We are confident that the third edition will open the door to new and rich research pathways in Qatar’s social and economic heritage.”
Qatar National Library invites researchers to submit their research proposals for the third cycle of the fellowship, which will run from 1 October 2026 to 30 March 2027. Project proposals, which should not exceed 2,000 words, must align with one of three themes: social history, economic history or natural resource management. Selected fellows will receive a dedicated research space, access to the Library’s special collections and a monthly stipend of QAR 6,000.
Applicants must be Qatari citizens or residents of Qatar for the full duration of the programme, and must commit to attending the Library in person for at least 20 hours per week. Participants will also be required to deliver a public presentation and submit a research paper of no fewer than 6,000 words within one month of completing the programme.
The deadline to apply for the third cycle of the Research Fellowship Programme is 30 July 2026.
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