The FIAT/IFTA Media Studies Commission has officially opened the Media Studies Grant 2026 call for proposals. This funding opportunity supports small-scale, archive-based research projects that contribute to both academic knowledge and professional archival practice. Applications are open until 15 March 2026, and researchers from across the globe—particularly those outside Europe—are strongly encouraged to apply. About the Media Studies Grant The Media Studies Grant is designed to promote innovative research grounded in audiovisual archives while ensuring the practical valorisation of scientific knowledge for archivists and media professionals. For the 2026 edition, FIAT/IFTA will commission two research projects that explore the role, challenges, and societal value of audiovisual archives in contemporary contexts. Core Research Themes Proposed projects must address one or more of the following thematic areas: audiovisual archives and public service value; memory and identity explored through audiovisual archival material; precarity in audiovisual archives, including labour, funding, and sustainability challenges; audiovisual archives in the Latin American context, including regional, cultural, or institutional perspectives. Interdisciplinary approaches are welcomed, and proposals may be theoretical, empirical, practice-based, or creatively oriented. Who Can Apply The call is open to both junior and senior researchers from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. Eligible disciplines include, but are not limited to: media and communication studies; history and cultural studies; sociology and political science; anthropology and conflict studies; environmental studies and related fields. Proposed studies may form part of a larger research project—such as a PhD dissertation or book—or may be conceived as stand-alone research initiatives. Application Requirements Applicants must submit their complete application in PDF format by 15 March 2026. Key requirements include: applications must be emailed to msc@fiatifta.org; awarded candidates will be required to sign a funding agreement with FIAT/IFTA; funded researchers must provide regular progress updates to the Media Studies Commission, as outlined in the agreement. Expected Deliverables By the end of the grant period, awarded candidates are expected to deliver the following outputs: a written research report meeting scholarly standards, but written specifically for a readership of broadcast and audiovisual archivists; a public presentation and discussion of research findings at the FIAT/IFTA World Conference, taking place in São Paulo, Brazil, from 6–9 October 2026; a short video designed for social media that highlights key discoveries, curiosities, or inspirations from the research; optional creative dissemination outputs, such as an audiovisual essay, interactive digital story, or creative demo, provided there are no copyright restrictions on reused archival materials. All outputs must clearly acknowledge the support of FIAT/IFTA and be made available to the organisation. Additional Conditions Funded researchers should be prepared to: participate in promotional interviews or online sessions sharing their research progress; allow FIAT/IFTA to make funded outputs accessible through its website and communication channels. FIAT/IFTA retains the right to disseminate the research outcomes to support knowledge exchange within the archival and media studies communities. How to Access the Full Call Applicants are encouraged to download and carefully review the full Call for Proposals document. To download the file, select the “Download PDF File” option from the three-dot menu in the PDF viewer. Key Deadline Application deadline: 15 March 2026 This grant represents a valuable opportunity for researchers interested in audiovisual archives, media history, and public memory to produce impactful research while engaging directly with an international professional community. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this grant. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.