Fall Research RfP – Arabic Language Education

Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has launched its Fall 2025 Research Request for Proposals (RfP) to advance the study and practice of Arabic language education in primary and secondary schools. QFI is a U.S.-based organization committed to supporting Arabic as a global language through educational programming, research initiatives, and international collaboration. This grant opportunity is rooted in QFI’s strategic research agenda, which identifies five priority areas critical to the development of Arabic instruction for school-aged learners: Arabic as a Global Language, Teacher Pipeline, Teaching About Arab Culture, Motivation to Include Arabic in School Offers, and Students. This call invites research and action-research proposals that address one of the organization's key research questions, particularly in underexplored areas of Arabic language education. These include effective teacher development models, culturally competent instruction, appropriate assessment tools, differentiated instruction methods, motivational strategies, and classroom resource evaluation. The focus is on generating actionable, evidence-based insights that can inform both classroom teaching and broader educational policy, particularly for non-native and heritage learners of Arabic. Applicants must propose research that takes place within classrooms in QFI’s focus regions: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Ideal candidates will be established researchers with relevant experience, a history of publishing in the field of language education, and a strong school-based collaboration. QFI encourages leveraging of additional resources through cost-sharing, and proposals that include Arabic educators on the research team are especially welcomed. While meeting all these criteria is not mandatory, they enhance the competitiveness of an application. Applicants must complete a detailed application addressing research relevance, significance, methodology, data types, legal compliance (e.g., GDPR), collaboration structure, permissions, timeline, and anticipated limitations. A full budget is required, including documentation of indirect cost rates and cost-share contributions. QFI allows up to 15% indirect costs and may negotiate terms based on the institution’s policies. Recipients will receive 75% of their grant upon project initiation, with the final 25% released after the final report and financial reconciliation. Successful applicants will be expected to co-own data with QFI, submit interim and final reports, and present findings at conferences and through other dissemination methods, including a public-facing final report written in APA style. All research tools and materials must be shared with QFI, and proper acknowledgment of QFI’s support is required in all resulting publications and presentations. The application portal opens on September 10, 2024, with proposals due by December 10, 2024. Award notifications will be issued by February 1, 2025. Proposals must be submitted via QFI’s Grants Management Portal (qfi.smapply.org). For assistance, applicants may contact research@qfi.org. More information on QFI’s research initiatives and mission is available at www.qfi.org.

Clearly align your proposal with one of QFI’s five research areas and questions. Provide evidence of collaboration with schools and address dissemination beyond publications. Comply fully with data privacy laws and budget documentation requirements.