AILC-ICLA Matching Grants for the organisation of early career events by Member Associations - 2026 edition

The AILC-ICLA Executive Council has agreed to provide funds to its member Associations in good standing, in order to support the organisation of events involving early career researchers (for example: graduate student conferences, training events for students and ECRs, and other research-oriented events aimed at and organised by, or with the collaboration of, early career researchers**). Eligible expenses must be directly related to the academic content and organisation of the event. The grant does not cover hospitality: however, accommodation is considered an eligible expense. This support will take the form of a grant to match the funding secured by

1A. National Associations/member associations which are affiliated to the AILC-ICLA 

OR

1B. Departments or programmes of comparative literature where faculty and/or enrolled students are members in good standing of the AILC-ICLA.

Eligible member associations or eligible departments or programmes of comparative literature (1A and 1B as stated above) will be able to apply for a grant of up to $250, to be supplemented by at least the same amount secured by them from other sources. The matching grants will be given in 2 yearly rounds. Funded events must be held within 12 months of the grant application date. 

A total of up to $2,500 US dollars every year will be reserved for up to 10 such grants. The Participation Grants Committee will evaluate the applications. A grant may be awarded to the same individual only once within a three-year period. 

The grantees must acknowledge the AILC-ICLA’s support on the event website and any printed material, along with the AILC-ICLA logo. They must also submit a short report of up to 250 words (including any links to relevant webpages or published recordings), after the event, for publication in the AILC-ICLA Newsletter. 

The costs will be reimbursed by the AILC-ICLA to the Member Association or department/program, provided that the applicant submits the receipts, event program or other supporting documentation within two weeks after the event. Each party will be responsible for its bank charges. 

The second round of applications will open according to the following calendar: 

Application deadline: 15 May 2026 

Announcement of results: 15 June 2026

The application form can be found at: https://form.jotform.com/250764840343053

In case of questions, please contact to the following email: [email protected]

**Note: Given the volatile academic job market and the growing scarcity of entry-level, full-time, tenure-track or permanent-track academic positions in many parts of the world today, the AILC-ICLA considers ECRs to be graduate students and/or academics in possession of a doctoral degree, or equivalent, who either hold or are in search of post-doctoral positions or fellowships, and/or are within 36 months of their date of employment in an academic position.