AGAPS Awards

Calls for the 2026 AGAPS awards are now open (Dissertation, Graduate Paper & Travel).
Visit our 2025 awards page to see this year's winners and read their commendations.

Call for Submissions: AGAPS Gwenn Okruhlik Dissertation Award 2026

The Association for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies (AGAPS) invites recent PhD graduates to submit their dissertations for consideration for its 2026 Gwenn Okruhlik Dissertation Award. AGAPS wishes to recognize exceptional achievement in research and writing. We welcome dissertations from across the disciplines and a variety of perspectives. They must primarily focus on the Arabian Peninsula but can be inclusive of the transnational flows of people, material and ideas across the Gulf, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. Entries will be read by a multi-disciplinary three-member committee.

PhD dissertations/theses (in English) accepted for the degree of PhD between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 are eligible. The PhD must have been confirmed/awarded within this timeframe. Dissertations that have not been defended will not be considered. All applicants must be members of AGAPS at the time of submission. The deadline for submission is 15 July 2026. Early submissions are appreciated!

The author of the winning dissertation will be presented with a certificate at the AGAPS Business Meeting held during the next annual Middle East Studies Association (MESA) conference, held from 21–24 November 2026 in Boston, USA. The winning dissertation will be announced in the Journal of Arabian Studies (JAS).

Submission requirements:

  • A Brief Application Form (available here) 
  • A Verification of Degree Completion
  • A Letter of Nomination (by author’s adviser or sponsor)
  • An Abstract (250 words)
  • The Manuscript (digital copy)
  • AGAPS membership. You can join online at www.agaps.org.

Call for Submissions: AGAPS Graduate Paper Prize 2026

The Association for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies (AGAPS) invites the submission of unpublished graduate student research papers for AGAPS’ 2026 Graduate Paper Prize competition. We welcome graduate papers from across disciplines and a with variety of perspectives. They must primarily focus on the Arabian Peninsula but can be inclusive of the transnational flow of people, goods and ideas across the Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Papers should include an engagement with literature, a clear methodology, and make an original contribution to scholarship in the field. Papers will be evaluated according to originality of research, innovation, contribution to the field, cogency of argument, sources, method and clarity of writing.

The deadline for submission is 15 July 2026.The author of the winning paper will be presented with a certificate at the AGAPS Business Meeting held during the next annual Middle East Studies Association (MESA) conference held from 21–24 November 2026 in Boston, USA. The winning paper will be announced in the Journal of Arabian Studies (JAS) and winners have the option for their paper to be submitted to JAS to be considered for publication. 

Eligibility requirements:

  • The research paper must be unpublished, and must have been written between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. 
  • Submissions may include papers prepared for classes, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc. but the same paper may not be submitted more than once.
  • All applicants must AGAPS members at the time of submission. Student membership is $15 per year - visit www.agaps.org to sign up.

All materials must be summitted according to the instructions on our application page found here.

AGAPS Student Travel Award 2026

As part of our commitment to support graduate students, AGAPS is pleased to open applications for this year’s graduate travel fund award. If you are an MA or PhD student working on the region and your paper is accepted to the 2026 MESA conference, we encourage you to apply.

The fund amount is 200.00 USD, which the winner will collect at the AGAPS Business meeting at MESA.

Simply fill out this form. The deadline for applying is September 1, 2026. Our committee will then review all the applicants and inform the winning student by the beginning of October.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in an MA or PhD programme.
  • Applicants must have a paper accepted at the MESA 2026 conference.
  • Applicants must be AGAPS members at the time of application. Student membership is $15 per year - visit www.agaps.org to sign up.

Preference will be given to students who have not received this award previously.