João Havelange Research Scholarship on Football
The João Havelange Research Scholarship was set up by FIFA in honour of their former President, Dr. João Havelange, who stepped down from his role in 1998. Aimed at promoting football-related academic research, the João Havelange Scholarship is awarded to researchers holding a university degree or equivalent in one of the following areas of study: Law, Economics, Sociology, Ethics, Geography, History and Medicine.
General Rules
FIFA shall grant scholarships to encourage academic research connected with football, in compliance with these regulations, in any of the following fields: law, economics, sociology, ethics, geography, history and medicine.
The researchers are free to choose the exact subjects area themselves. Notwithstanding this freedom, FIFA and CIES may, taking into account academic priorities or topical themes, promote some specific subjects. These research areas will be announced on the CIES website.
The number of scholarships granted each year is not fixed and will be decided by the Selection Committee.
The maximum possible amount for one scholarship award is USD 30’000.-.
The beneficiary must, in principle, submit his/her research project within the 12 months limit.
Objective
The scholarships are intended to encourage and facilitate the work of researchers who have completed their studies and have been awarded a university diploma, bachelor’s degree, state examination, doctorate or an equivalent degree. The research shall be conducted in an academic environment (i.e. supervised by a professor, lecturer or academic). Upon request by the candidate, the research may be conducted under the supervision of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) at Neuchâtel University.
Registration Requirements and Deadlines
Applications may be made as a group; in such cases, the group of researchers shall designate one person to act as the project leader before the Selection Committee. This person shall assume the responsibility for all the obligations stipulated in these regulations.
Only one application per person per year may be submitted to the committee. Multiple applications per applicant will not be accepted. Applicants may apply for the João Havelange Research Scholarship repeatedly; however, applications with identical research topics (which have been refused in the previous year) will not be accepted.
The deadline for submitting applications is the 1st September of each year. Any applications received after this deadline will be considered as part of the following year’s application process.
Examination of Applications
The Selection Committee shall examine all applications to the João Havelange Research Scholarship.
The Selection Committee is responsible for making all decisions concerning the evaluation and awarding of the scholarship. It shall be composed of between six and eight individuals from the academic world and representatives of the different areas of research covered by the scholarship. If necessary, the committee may call upon outside experts.
In awarding the scholarship, the Selection Committee shall consider the quality and originality of the proposals as well as the importance such a project may have for academic (or scientific) research within the study of football. Applications with the highest chance of success will be those which have further potential in the form of publications or presentations at academic conferences or seminars.
The Selection Committee shall decide on the total number of scholarships and the amount offered to each beneficiary.
FIFA and CIES will notify applicants in writing of the decision of the Selection Committee by 15th January each year.
