Pau Casals UNESCO Chair Research Grants

The Pau Casals UNESCO Chair Research Grants for 2026 mark the fourth cycle of an international funding initiative celebrating the legacy of cellist, conductor, and human rights advocate Pablo Casals. This round of grants is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Casals’ birth and is designed to support academic research aligned with his enduring contributions to music, peace, democracy, and human dignity. The program is administered by the Pau Casals Foundation in collaboration with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) through its UNESCO Chair, and is supported by the Entidad de Gestión de los Artistas Intérpretes o Ejecutantes de la música (AIE). Eligible proposals may focus on a broad range of subjects, including Casals’ musical legacy, his humanistic values, and the evolving role of culture in fostering peace and social justice. Researchers are encouraged to explore not only the life and work of Pablo Casals but also broader themes related to human rights, conflict prevention, and the intersection of culture and international justice. The grant supports proposals at all academic levels—including bachelor’s final projects, master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, and independent academic research—that have not yet begun development at the time of application. Each awarded project receives a grant of €2,000, along with institutional support in the form of project mentorship by the selection committee and staff of the Pau Casals Foundation and UOC. Researchers will also gain access to unique archival resources, including the Pablo Casals Collection housed at the National Archive of Catalonia. Completed projects will be published digitally in the Chair Papers collection and may be disseminated through university and cultural channels in Catalonia. The program further provides guidance for participants in sharing their research through academic repositories and potential job-related platforms. The 2026 application period opens on February 2 at 10:00 AM and closes on April 12 at 11:59 PM. The selection committee—comprised of distinguished cultural, academic, and legal experts—will evaluate proposals according to criteria established in the program rules. Applicants will be notified of decisions by May 11, 2026. Successful applicants must submit their final research by May 2, 2027. The selection committee includes leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of musicology, human rights law, cultural policy, and contemporary history, reflecting the interdisciplinary reach of the grant’s objectives. No restrictions are placed on nationality or geography, making this a truly global opportunity. The program emphasizes rigorous academic quality and alignment with the values upheld by Pablo Casals. Full eligibility and submission guidelines are provided through the official application portal, and prospective applicants are encouraged to review them carefully. With its strong emphasis on cultural diplomacy and scholarly engagement, the Pau Casals UNESCO Chair Research Grants continue to advance the global conversation on peace, justice, and the transformative power of music and culture.