Introduction: An Opportunity for PhD Researchers to Conduct Cross-Cultural Research
Are you a PhD student looking for an opportunity to strengthen your dissertation research, collect data across different countries and cultures, and contribute to a more globally representative understanding of human behaviour? The Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27 offers doctoral researchers an opportunity to conduct exploratory cross-cultural studies while receiving research support and participating in a structured research accelerator.
The programme is designed for early-career researchers whose work explores questions that benefit from studying different cultures, countries or populations. It responds to a longstanding challenge in behavioural science: much of the evidence used to explain human behaviour has been collected from populations that do not represent the full diversity of people around the world.
By supporting research beyond traditional Western samples, Besample aims to help researchers test existing assumptions, explore cultural differences and produce findings that better reflect the diversity of human experiences.
For the 2026–27 cycle, Besample plans to support 15 doctoral researchers, each conducting an exploratory study with up to 500 participants. Successful applicants will also participate in a research accelerator featuring four workshops focused on cross-cultural research.
The programme will conclude with a public research showcase in August 2027. At that stage, three projects will be selected for an opportunity to expand their research into larger studies involving up to 3,000 participants each, subject to the programme’s conditions and approval.
Applications opened in October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.
This guide explains the Besample Dissertation Grant, its objectives, eligible research fields, participating countries, benefits, selection criteria, programme timeline and application process.
1. What Is the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27?
The Besample Dissertation Grant is a research support programme created to help doctoral researchers conduct cross-cultural studies and expand behavioural science beyond commonly studied Western populations.
The programme recognises that understanding human behaviour requires research that considers differences in culture, social environments, institutions, languages and lived experiences.
Research findings based on a limited selection of populations may not always provide a complete picture of how people think, feel, behave or make decisions across different societies. Cross-cultural research allows researchers to investigate whether a finding holds across different contexts, whether its meaning changes between populations and what those differences can teach us about human behaviour.
The Besample Dissertation Grant aims to reduce some of the practical barriers associated with conducting this type of research.
Rather than leaving doctoral researchers to manage every aspect of international data collection independently, the programme provides a structured pathway for exploratory research, research training and the development of larger projects.
What makes the programme different?
The 2026–27 programme has several important features:
- Support for 15 doctoral researchers: The programme plans to select 15 researchers for the exploratory research stage.
- Exploratory studies involving up to 500 participants: Each selected researcher will conduct a study with a sample of up to 500 participants.
- Cross-cultural research opportunities: The programme supports research questions that benefit from comparing different countries, cultures or populations.
- Research accelerator: Grantees will participate in four workshops covering study design, language and culture, ethics and institutional review processes, and quality and measurement.
- An opportunity to scale up research: Three projects will be selected at the final showcase for larger studies involving up to 3,000 participants each.
- International participation: Doctoral researchers from around the world can apply, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
The programme is therefore particularly relevant to doctoral researchers who have a promising dissertation question but need support to test their ideas, strengthen their research design and investigate how their findings may apply across different cultural contexts.
Important funding clarification: The published announcement describes research support, participant data collection and an opportunity for selected projects to expand. It does not state a fixed cash grant amount for each of the 15 researchers. Applicants should consult the official programme information for the precise scope of support and any associated conditions.
2. What Is the Main Objective of the Besample Dissertation Grant?
The central objective of the programme is to make cross-cultural research more accessible and encourage the development of behavioural science that reflects a broader range of human experiences.
Researchers study many aspects of human behaviour, including decision-making, social relationships, emotions, political attitudes, psychological wellbeing, communication and perceptions of fairness. However, conclusions drawn from one population may not necessarily apply in the same way to people living in different cultural or social environments.
For example, a researcher might investigate how people respond to unfair treatment, how they understand social status, how cultural norms influence relationships or how individuals make decisions during periods of uncertainty.
Studying these questions across different populations can help researchers determine which patterns appear broadly consistent and which may vary according to context.
The Besample Dissertation Grant encourages this type of research by helping doctoral researchers explore questions that cannot be fully answered by relying on a single population.
Understanding the importance of research beyond Western samples
Cross-cultural research can contribute to a more complete understanding of human behaviour in several ways.
First, it can test the generalisability of existing findings.
A theory developed using participants from one group may need further testing before researchers can confidently apply it to other populations. Studies involving different cultural settings can help establish whether findings are consistent across contexts.
Second, it can identify meaningful cultural differences.
People may interpret social situations, express emotions, make decisions or understand relationships differently depending on their experiences and cultural environments. Cross-cultural research can help investigate these differences systematically.
Third, it can improve the development of research tools.
Questionnaires, behavioural measures and other research instruments may not have exactly the same meaning across languages or cultural settings. Researchers need to consider translation, interpretation and measurement quality when collecting international data.
Fourth, it can contribute to more inclusive evidence.
Including a broader range of populations can help researchers avoid drawing conclusions about humanity from a narrow selection of participants.
Finally, it can create opportunities for international research collaboration.
Cross-cultural research can connect researchers working in different countries and disciplines, allowing them to examine complex questions from multiple perspectives.
These objectives are central to the Besample Dissertation Grant’s emphasis on expanding research beyond traditional Western samples.
3. What Does the Besample Dissertation Grant Offer Successful Applicants?
The 2026–27 programme combines exploratory research support, research training and an opportunity for selected projects to develop into larger studies.
Benefit 1: Support for an exploratory study with up to 500 participants
The 15 selected doctoral researchers will conduct exploratory cross-sectional studies involving up to 500 participants each.
An exploratory study can help a researcher investigate a question, examine patterns in the data and assess whether a proposed approach is suitable for further research.
For a PhD candidate, this can be particularly valuable when preparing a dissertation prospectus, refining a study before a larger investigation or testing a theoretical question that has not received sufficient cross-cultural attention.
The sample size is described as a maximum of 500 participants per study. Applicants should not interpret this as a guarantee that every project will automatically receive a sample of exactly 500 people.
The final research arrangements will depend on the programme’s conditions, the proposed study and the feasibility of collecting data in the relevant countries.
Benefit 2: Access to a research accelerator
Successful applicants will join a research accelerator consisting of four workshops.
The accelerator is designed to support researchers as they develop and implement their projects. Conducting cross-cultural research involves methodological decisions that can influence the quality and interpretation of the resulting data.
The programme’s workshops address four areas:
- Study design.
- Language and culture.
- Ethics and institutional review processes.
- Quality and measurement.
These areas are particularly relevant to research involving participants from different countries, languages and social contexts.
Benefit 3: Training in cross-cultural study design
Study design is an important part of any research project. Researchers must determine how to measure the concepts they want to investigate, how to collect relevant information and how to interpret their results.
In cross-cultural research, these decisions become more complex because the study must account for differences between populations and research environments.
The programme’s study-design workshop is intended to form part of the broader research accelerator. Applicants can use the official programme information to establish the precise format, expectations and learning activities.
Benefit 4: Consideration of language and cultural differences
Language and culture can affect how participants understand research questions and respond to surveys or other instruments.
A question that appears straightforward in one language may have a different meaning when translated. Likewise, a concept that is familiar in one cultural context may be understood differently in another.
The programme includes a workshop on language and culture to address this important dimension of cross-cultural research.
Researchers proposing international studies should explain how they intend to account for relevant language and cultural considerations.
Benefit 5: Research ethics and institutional review
Research involving human participants must be designed and conducted with appropriate attention to ethical responsibilities.
Researchers may need to consider informed consent, participant privacy, confidentiality, potential risks and the requirements of relevant research institutions or ethics review bodies.
The Besample research accelerator includes a workshop on ethics and institutional review processes.
Applicants should still consult their own universities and relevant ethics committees to determine the approvals required for their projects. Participation in the accelerator should not be interpreted as automatically granting ethical approval for a proposed study.
Benefit 6: Attention to data quality and measurement
Researchers need reliable methods for measuring the concepts they investigate.
Cross-cultural projects may require additional attention to whether a measure has comparable meaning across different populations, languages or settings.
The programme’s quality and measurement workshop is intended to address this aspect of research development.
This is particularly relevant to studies examining psychological concepts, social attitudes, decision-making, communication, political behaviour and other phenomena that may be influenced by cultural context.
Benefit 7: An opportunity for three projects to scale up
The programme’s final stage will take place at a public research showcase in August 2027.
At the showcase, three projects will be selected for full-scale research involving up to 3,000 participants each.
The larger studies may involve more complex research designs, subject to explicit approval from Besample.
For researchers whose exploratory findings demonstrate strong potential, this creates an opportunity to develop their work beyond the initial study.
However, the opportunity is competitive. The programme supports 15 researchers in the exploratory stage, but only three projects are expected to be selected for the larger research stage.
Applicants should therefore plan their initial studies carefully rather than assuming that the larger-scale opportunity is guaranteed.
4. Who Can Apply for the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27?
The Besample Dissertation Grant is open to PhD researchers worldwide whose proposed dissertation research is suitable for the programme.
Applicants should have a doctoral research project that would benefit from examining different countries, cultures or populations.
The published programme information identifies three central eligibility considerations.
Requirement 1: Applicants must be doctoral researchers
The programme is intended for PhD researchers in relevant academic disciplines.
The listed fields include:
- Psychology.
- Sociology.
- Anthropology.
- Human geography.
- Political science.
- Behavioural science.
- Communication.
- Public health.
- Development studies.
- Related academic fields.
The programme’s wording allows for related disciplines, meaning that applicants should assess the relevance of their academic background and proposed project rather than assuming the list is necessarily exhaustive.
Researchers should verify the full eligibility conditions on the official application page before applying.
Requirement 2: Applicants must have an interest in cross-cultural research
The proposed dissertation should explore a question that benefits from studying different cultures, countries or populations.
A project may be relevant if it seeks to investigate whether a finding is consistent across different contexts, examine how a social or psychological process varies between populations, or test whether an existing theory applies beyond the settings in which it was originally developed.
Applicants should explain why a cross-cultural approach is important to their research question.
A proposal that simply mentions several countries without explaining the value of comparing them may not communicate the project’s research contribution effectively.
Instead, the application should establish the relationship between the research question, the selected populations and the insights the study could generate.
Requirement 3: The proposed project must form part of the applicant’s dissertation research
The proposed study should be connected to the applicant’s doctoral research and feasible within the scope of the grant.
Applicants should demonstrate that the research is appropriately developed for the programme’s exploratory stage.
This means considering the research question, proposed methodology, relevant populations, expected data requirements and the practical arrangements needed to conduct the study.
The proposal should also explain how the exploratory research contributes to the broader dissertation project.
Are applicants from outside the United States eligible?
Yes. The published programme describes the grant as open to PhD researchers worldwide.
The opportunity is not described as restricted to applicants studying in one particular country.
However, international eligibility does not mean that every proposed research location or project design will automatically be accepted. Applicants must still satisfy the programme’s requirements and ensure that their proposed data collection is feasible within the available country coverage.
Can doctoral researchers based in Kenya apply?
The programme lists Kenya among the countries available for data collection.
This is relevant to researchers who want to include Kenyan participants in cross-cultural research or investigate questions involving Kenya alongside other countries.
However, the availability of Kenya as a research location should not be confused with a separate guarantee of funding or selection for Kenya-based applicants. All applicants remain subject to the programme’s eligibility and selection process.
5. Which Countries Are Available for Data Collection?
The Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27 lists 20 countries available for data collection.
These countries are:
- Argentina.
- Australia.
- Brazil.
- Canada.
- Egypt.
- Ghana.
- India.
- Indonesia.
- Japan.
- Kazakhstan.
- Kenya.
- Mexico.
- Nigeria.
- Pakistan.
- The Philippines.
- South Africa.
- Turkey.
- Ukraine.
- The United Kingdom.
- The United States.
This country coverage creates opportunities for researchers to investigate questions across different cultural, linguistic, geographical and social contexts.
For example, a researcher studying perceptions of social status might compare how people understand status indicators in different societies. A researcher examining healthcare access could investigate how experiences or attitudes vary between populations. A project on communication might explore how language and cultural norms influence the interpretation of particular expressions.
These examples illustrate possible research directions rather than guaranteed areas of funding. The suitability of any proposed project depends on the research question, the programme’s objectives and the feasibility of the design.
Why does country availability matter?
International data collection can be difficult to organise. Researchers may need to consider participant recruitment, language, translation, local context, sample characteristics and data quality.
Having a defined list of countries available through the programme can help prospective applicants assess whether their proposed research is feasible.
Applicants should review the official country information and confirm that their intended study can be conducted using the locations and participant characteristics required by their research design.
The programme’s listed country coverage should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every demographic group, sample size or specialised recruitment requirement will be available in every country.
6. What Research Topics Could Be Suitable for the Grant?
The Besample Dissertation Grant is not limited to one narrow research topic. Its focus is on dissertation research that benefits from cross-cultural investigation and contributes to understanding human behaviour across different populations.
The suitability of a project depends on its research question, methodology, theoretical contribution and alignment with the programme’s objectives.
The following examples illustrate how different disciplines might approach cross-cultural research.
Psychology and behavioural science
Psychology and behavioural science examine how people think, feel, make decisions and behave.
Potential cross-cultural questions could investigate:
- How people interpret fairness in different societies.
- Whether emotional responses to particular experiences vary across cultures.
- How cultural norms influence social relationships.
- Whether psychological measures have comparable meanings across populations.
- How people respond to uncertainty or make decisions in different environments.
Researchers should develop specific questions grounded in relevant academic literature rather than relying on broad comparisons without a clear theoretical purpose.
Sociology and anthropology
Sociology and anthropology examine social relationships, institutions, communities, cultural practices and the ways people understand their social worlds.
Potential projects could explore differences in social participation, trust, family relationships, social norms or perceptions of community responsibilities.
A cross-cultural design may help researchers examine how similar social processes operate in different settings.
Political science and human geography
Political science and human geography can contribute to research on institutions, governance, identity, public attitudes, communities and the relationship between people and their environments.
Potential research questions might examine how people understand public institutions, respond to political information or make decisions within different social and geographical contexts.
Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed comparisons contribute to a meaningful research question.
Communication and language
Communication research can investigate how people interpret messages, use language, understand social signals or respond to information.
Cross-cultural research may help examine whether expressions, communication practices or interpretations differ between populations.
The programme’s workshop on language and culture is particularly relevant to researchers who expect translation or cultural interpretation to influence their study.
Public health
Public health researchers may investigate how social and cultural contexts relate to health attitudes, behaviours, access to services or the interpretation of health-related information.
Potential questions might examine differences in how communities understand health communication or how cultural context influences attitudes towards particular interventions.
Researchers should ensure that their proposals fit the programme’s eligibility criteria and meet the applicable ethical requirements.
Development studies
Development studies examines social, economic, institutional and community-level processes affecting people’s lives.
Cross-cultural research may help investigate how people understand opportunity, participation, inequality, wellbeing or community development in different contexts.
Researchers in this field should clearly identify the theoretical contribution of their proposed study and explain why international or cross-cultural comparison is needed.
These are illustrative examples, not an official list of approved research topics. Applicants should assess their proposed projects against the programme’s formal criteria and current application instructions.
7. How Are Applications Assessed?
The Besample Dissertation Grant identifies three central selection criteria.
Understanding these criteria can help applicants prepare a stronger research proposal.
Criterion 1: Contribution to the field
The selection process considers the potential of the proposed research to advance knowledge and contribute meaningful insights to its field.
Applicants should explain what their research seeks to discover and why the question matters.
A strong proposal should establish the research problem, identify the relevant knowledge gap and explain how the study could contribute to academic understanding.
It should also demonstrate why the proposed cross-cultural approach is important.
Applicants should avoid presenting the project as a simple data-collection exercise. Instead, they should explain the knowledge the study could generate and how the results may contribute to the broader research field.
Criterion 2: Research background and methodological rigour
The programme considers the strength of the theoretical rationale, research design and proposed methodology.
Applicants should show that their research question is grounded in relevant academic thinking and that the planned methods are appropriate for investigating it.
Important elements to consider include:
- The clarity of the research question.
- The theoretical basis for the study.
- The proposed research design.
- The suitability of the intended participant populations.
- The rationale for selecting the countries or cultures to be studied.
- The proposed approach to measurement and data collection.
- The feasibility of completing the project within the programme’s scope.
- Relevant ethical and practical considerations.
The proposal should demonstrate a clear relationship between the research question, methodology and intended contribution.
Criterion 3: Cross-cultural relevance
The programme considers how effectively a proposed study uses cross-cultural sampling to address its research question and generate insights beyond commonly studied populations.
This is a central feature of the opportunity.
Applicants should explain why their research benefits from studying multiple cultural or national contexts. They should also clarify what the comparison is intended to reveal.
For example, a proposal might investigate whether a particular psychological measure functions similarly across different populations or whether social attitudes differ in ways that challenge existing assumptions.
The proposal should make the value of the cross-cultural design explicit.
Final selection decisions
According to the programme information, final selection decisions remain at Besample’s discretion.
Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Applicants should aim to present a research proposal that is theoretically meaningful, methodologically sound, feasible and clearly aligned with the programme’s cross-cultural objectives.
8. What Happens After an Application Is Submitted?
The Besample Dissertation Grant follows a programme timeline that takes successful applicants from application and selection through research training, data collection, analysis and a public research showcase.
The published timeline for the 2026–27 cycle is outlined below.
October–November 2026: Applications
Applications take place during October and November 2026.
Prospective applicants should use this period to review the eligibility requirements, refine their research proposals and submit the required application materials.
Application deadline: 30 November 2026.
Applicants should confirm the official submission instructions and any applicable time-zone information on the application page.
December 2026: Candidate interviews
Candidate interviews are scheduled for December 2026.
Applicants should monitor communications from Besample and follow any instructions provided if they are invited to an interview.
The published summary does not specify the interview format or the questions candidates will be asked. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming a particular interview structure unless it is confirmed by the programme.
14 January 2027: Announcement of 15 grantees
The programme timeline lists 14 January 2027 as the date when the 15 grantees will be announced.
Selected researchers will then proceed towards the onboarding and research phases.
Late January 2027: Cohort introductions and onboarding
Cohort introductions and onboarding are scheduled for late January 2027.
This stage is intended to prepare selected researchers for participation in the programme.
Applicants should consult official communications for details about onboarding activities, required participation and any administrative steps.
February–March 2027: Research accelerator
The research accelerator is scheduled for February and March 2027.
It includes four workshops:
- Study design.
- Language and culture.
- Ethics and institutional review processes.
- Quality and measurement.
The workshops cover issues relevant to the development of rigorous cross-cultural research.
April 2027: Pilot studies
Pilot studies are scheduled for April 2027.
This stage gives researchers an opportunity to conduct their exploratory studies according to the approved research arrangements.
Researchers should ensure that their projects follow the programme’s requirements and any applicable institutional or ethical approvals.
May–June 2027: Data collection and analysis
Data collection and analysis are scheduled for May and June 2027.
During this period, researchers will work with the data generated by their studies and examine the results in relation to their research questions.
The quality of this work depends on sound research practices, appropriate analysis and careful interpretation of findings.
July 2027: Research pitches
Research pitches are scheduled for July 2027.
This stage gives researchers an opportunity to present their projects and findings as part of the programme’s final selection process.
Applicants should check the official programme information for the format, assessment process and any presentation requirements.
August 2027: Public Research Showcase
The programme concludes with a public research showcase in August 2027.
Three projects will be selected for full-scale research involving up to 3,000 participants each.
The programme notes that more complex research designs may be supported at this stage, subject to explicit approval by Besample.
The larger-scale opportunity is selective and should not be treated as an automatic benefit for every researcher who completes the exploratory stage.
9. How to Apply for the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27
Researchers interested in applying should begin by reviewing the official programme information and confirming that their dissertation project meets the eligibility requirements.
The following steps provide a practical starting point.
Step 1: Review the official grant information
Visit the Besample Dissertation Grant application page and read the current programme details carefully.
Confirm the eligibility requirements, application deadline, research scope, available countries and conditions attached to the exploratory study.
Pay particular attention to whether the proposed research can be conducted within the programme’s data-collection arrangements.
Step 2: Confirm that your doctoral research is suitable
Review your dissertation topic and determine whether it would benefit from a cross-cultural research design.
Ask yourself:
- Does my research question address an important issue in my academic field?
- Would studying different countries, cultures or populations help answer the question?
- Can I explain why cross-cultural comparison is necessary?
- Is the proposed study feasible within the programme’s scope?
- Can the project contribute to my doctoral research?
If the answer to these questions is yes, the next step is to develop a clear proposal that explains the project’s significance and feasibility.
Step 3: Refine your research question
A well-defined research question provides the foundation for the application.
The question should be sufficiently specific to guide the proposed methodology while remaining meaningful within the broader academic field.
Applicants should explain what they want to investigate, why the issue matters and what the study could contribute.
Where relevant, they should also clarify which cultural or national contexts will be compared and what the comparison is intended to reveal.
Step 4: Develop the theoretical rationale
The programme considers the strength of the theoretical rationale and the potential contribution to the field.
Applicants should therefore explain how their project relates to existing academic literature.
A strong rationale identifies the relevant problem or knowledge gap and shows how the proposed study could address it.
Applicants should also explain why their research may generate insights beyond those available from commonly studied Western populations.
Step 5: Prepare a rigorous and feasible methodology
The proposed methodology should be appropriate for the research question.
Applicants should consider the study design, target participants, intended sample, measurement approach, data collection requirements and analysis strategy.
For cross-cultural research, it is also important to think carefully about language, translation, cultural context and the comparability of research measures.
The proposal should demonstrate that the project is achievable within the programme’s scope and timeline.
Step 6: Consider ethics and participant protection
Researchers should identify the ethical considerations relevant to their projects.
Depending on the study, these may include informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, participant wellbeing and institutional review requirements.
Applicants should consult their universities or relevant research ethics bodies to determine what approvals are needed.
The programme’s ethics workshop can provide relevant training, but it should not be assumed to replace any required institutional approval.
Step 7: Submit the application before the deadline
Complete the application according to the instructions on the official Besample website.
Deadline: 30 November 2026.
The published announcement does not provide a complete list of application documents or specify a submission time. Applicants should verify these details directly on the application page and avoid waiting until the final day to submit.
Step 8: Prepare for possible follow-up
The programme timeline includes candidate interviews in December 2026.
After applying, monitor the contact details provided in your application and check for communications from Besample.
If invited to an interview, be prepared to explain the research question, theoretical contribution, methodology, cross-cultural relevance and feasibility of the proposed study.
10. Application Deadline for the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27
The application deadline for the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27 is:
30 November 2026.
The published programme page lists the deadline as 30 November but does not specify a submission time in the information reviewed for this article.
Applicants should check the official application portal for the precise closing time, any applicable time zone and the final submission requirements.
Because the selection process includes interviews in December 2026, prospective applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and monitor communications after applying.
11. Is the Besample Dissertation Grant a Cash Scholarship?
Applicants should understand the difference between a traditional cash scholarship and a research support programme.
The Besample Dissertation Grant describes support for exploratory studies involving up to 500 participants, a research accelerator and an opportunity for three selected projects to scale up to studies involving up to 3,000 participants.
The programme information reviewed for this article does not specify a fixed cash award paid directly to each researcher.
It would therefore be inaccurate to describe the opportunity as offering a confirmed cash scholarship of a particular amount.
Researchers should review the official application information to establish precisely which research services, data-collection arrangements and other forms of support are included.
This distinction is important when planning dissertation budgets or deciding whether the programme can cover a project’s wider research expenses.
Applicants should not assume that the grant automatically pays tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, university charges or other costs unless the official terms explicitly confirm such support.
12. Why PhD Researchers Should Consider Applying
The Besample Dissertation Grant may be particularly valuable to doctoral researchers who want to develop research that addresses questions across different cultural contexts.
Opportunity to strengthen a dissertation project
An exploratory study can help a doctoral researcher investigate a question, test a research approach and develop evidence that informs the broader dissertation.
The programme’s structure may be relevant to students who need to examine the feasibility of a cross-cultural project before pursuing larger-scale research.
Opportunity to broaden the evidence base
Researchers can investigate whether existing assumptions hold across different populations and explore the role of cultural context in human behaviour.
This can contribute to a broader and more representative body of academic evidence.
Opportunity to improve research skills
The four research accelerator workshops address important aspects of study design, language and culture, ethics, quality and measurement.
These areas are relevant to researchers who want to strengthen their methodological approach to international or cross-cultural studies.
Opportunity to develop research with wider potential
Three projects will be selected for larger studies involving up to 3,000 participants each.
Although selection is not guaranteed, the possibility of scaling up offers an additional reason for researchers to develop rigorous and meaningful exploratory studies.
Opportunity to participate in an international research programme
The programme is open to doctoral researchers worldwide and lists 20 countries for data collection.
This international orientation is particularly relevant to researchers whose questions require evidence from more than one cultural or national context.
13. Important Considerations Before Applying
Although the opportunity may be attractive to doctoral researchers, applicants should assess whether the programme is suitable for their circumstances.
Before submitting an application, consider the following.
Confirm your academic eligibility. Ensure that your doctoral status, discipline and proposed project meet the programme’s requirements.
Check the scope of research support. The published announcement does not specify a fixed cash grant amount. Confirm what the programme will provide and whether additional research expenses will need to be covered separately.
Review country availability. Ensure that the countries and participant populations needed for your project can be accommodated.
Assess methodological feasibility. Your proposed study should be achievable within the programme’s scope and timeline.
Plan for research ethics. Confirm what approvals are required by your institution and any other relevant authorities.
Understand the selection process. The programme plans to support 15 researchers in the exploratory stage, while three projects will be selected for the larger research stage. Neither selection nor progression to the larger study should be assumed to be automatic.
Check the final application deadline and requirements. Verify the closing time, time zone and required application materials on the official website.
Taking these steps can help researchers determine whether the programme is a suitable opportunity for their dissertation work.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27
1. What is the Besample Dissertation Grant?
The Besample Dissertation Grant is a research support programme for PhD researchers whose dissertation projects would benefit from cross-cultural research beyond traditionally Western samples.
2. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 30 November 2026.
Applicants should consult the official application page to confirm the closing time and any time-zone requirements.
3. Who is eligible to apply?
The programme is open to PhD researchers worldwide in psychology, sociology, anthropology, human geography, political science, behavioural science, communication, public health, development studies and related fields.
Applicants must have a dissertation project that would benefit from cross-cultural research and be feasible within the programme’s scope.
4. How many researchers will be selected?
The programme plans to support 15 doctoral researchers in the exploratory research stage.
5. How many participants can each exploratory study include?
Each exploratory study can involve up to 500 participants.
The stated figure is a maximum, not a guarantee that every study will automatically receive exactly 500 participants.
6. Can a project receive support for a larger study?
Yes. At the public research showcase in August 2027, three projects will be selected for full-scale research involving up to 3,000 participants each.
More complex study designs may be supported at that stage, subject to explicit approval by Besample.
7. Which countries are available for data collection?
The programme lists Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Applicants should confirm the availability and suitability of their intended locations through the official programme information.
8. Does the grant provide a cash award?
The programme describes exploratory research support, data collection involving up to 500 participants and a research accelerator. The information reviewed does not specify a fixed cash award paid directly to each researcher.
Applicants should consult the official terms to understand exactly what support is provided.
9. What training does the programme offer?
The research accelerator includes four workshops covering study design, language and culture, ethics and institutional review processes, and quality and measurement.
10. When will successful applicants be announced?
The published programme timeline lists 14 January 2027 as the date when the 15 grantees will be announced.
11. When does the programme conclude?
The programme is scheduled to conclude with a public research showcase in August 2027.
12. Where can I apply?
Visit the official Besample Dissertation Grant application page: Here
Review the programme details, eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting your application.
Conclusion: Apply for the Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27
The Besample Dissertation Grant 2026–27 offers an opportunity for doctoral researchers to develop cross-cultural research that contributes to a more representative understanding of human behaviour.
By supporting 15 exploratory studies involving up to 500 participants each, the programme provides a pathway for PhD researchers to investigate important questions across countries and populations. The accompanying research accelerator addresses study design, language and culture, ethics, quality and measurement, while the final public showcase will provide an opportunity for three selected projects to expand to larger studies involving up to 3,000 participants each.
The programme is open to PhD researchers worldwide in relevant disciplines, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, behavioural science, communication, public health, development studies and related fields. Applicants must demonstrate that their dissertation projects would benefit from cross-cultural research and that their proposed studies are methodologically sound and feasible.
Researchers interested in this opportunity should begin by reviewing the official programme requirements, confirming the availability of their proposed research locations and preparing a clear explanation of their project’s theoretical contribution and cross-cultural relevance.
The application deadline is 30 November 2026.
Visit the official Besample Dissertation Grant website to review the latest requirements and submit your application:
For doctoral researchers committed to expanding the reach of behavioural science beyond traditional Western samples, this programme could provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen dissertation research, develop cross-cultural research skills and contribute to a more globally representative body of academic knowledge.
