The Armenian Diaspora in the 21st Century: Communities, Institutions, Individuals

The Diasporan Perspectives (DP) think tank is launching a call for research proposals.

 

DP commissions, publishes and disseminates new research in the social sciences focusing on the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia. Founded in 2025 by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it also serves as a convening space for leaders, policymakers and experts. DP brings a unique diasporan perspective to Armenian national issues. Its mission is to foster cutting-edge social science research, analysis and strategic thinking that is transformative, open to the world and Armenian focused.

 

 

 

The aim of this call for research proposals is to publish an original anthology on the contemporary Armenian Diaspora. There has been a substantial body of academic research on the topic in the last three decades, in large part due to the efforts of a handful of experts and initiatives, including case studies, historical analysis and thematic approaches.

 

Below is the announcement of the Diasporan Perspectives think tank:

 

In this call, we are interested in learning where the state of research currently stands, to generate new research, and hear as many diverse voices as possible, from different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. The focus is on contemporary issues in and relating to the Armenian Diaspora. Disciplinary and theoretical approaches are wide open. The overarching question the initiative is seeking to answer is: where is the Armenian Diaspora heading in the 21st century?

 

The commissioned research papers, after passing peer review, will be published in an edited book or in a multivolume format.

 

We are interested in learning how research is dealing with Armenian diasporan communities and institutions, and the challenges they are facing in a rapidly changing and unstable world. While important historic Armenian communities in the Middle East are emptying because of wars and instability, migration is not only creating new challenges, but also leading to new opportunities.

 

Such changes can be studied in more detail by looking at the evolution of institutions in the Diaspora such as the church, political parties, schools, mass media, foundations, sports clubs, charity organisations, cultural associations, academic centres, etc., as well as newly emerged initiatives including professional associations, single issue mobilisation efforts and fundraising forums. Studies about individuals who make important contributions to, and have significant impact on, the Armenian Diaspora are also part of this research initiative.

 

The relationship of the Diaspora with the Armenian nation-state is another major aspect to be analysed. How did the emergence of independent Armenia influence the Diaspora? While there are several important studies on the political aspects of this relationship, other approaches such as sociological and anthropological perspectives are scarce. How did the emergence of independent Armenia, and Yerevan becoming a new “diasporan” hub, influence inter- and intra-diasporic contacts, communications and movements? How did the Diaspora’s focus on Armenia impact its resource mobilisation vis-à-vis national and local issues or needs? Did Armenian diasporan identity change due to the emergence of a sovereign nation-state?

 

 

The other side of the Diaspora-Armenia relationship is the policies and approaches in Yerevan pertaining to the Diaspora. How did these change, if they indeed changed? What are the views and actions of state and non-state actors in Armenia in relation to the Diaspora? How did out-migration from Armenia influence cultural production in the Diaspora, for example by the outflow of professionals, including scientists, cultural workers and athletes?

 

The topic of Armenian Diaspora and philanthropy is of particular interest to us. In the absence of a state, Armenian cultural life in the Diaspora (as well as in the homeland) has traditionally been supported by philanthropic initiatives. In the past, wealthy individuals from Persia and India pioneered such giving. Subsequently, the wealthy amiras and industrialists of Istanbul, Cairo, Baku and Tbilisi stepped up to the plate. From Mantashyan to the Melkonian brothers, from Calouste Gulbenkian to Alec Manoogian, Hrair Hovnanian, Kirk Krikorian and the Manoukian brothers funded educational, cultural and political initiatives. How are the wealthy Armenians of the Diaspora, be it in Switzerland or the Silicon Valley, engaging with Armenian (or non-Armenian) issues today? How is philanthropy changing? Are there “disrupters” in the traditional domain of community support?

 

Finally, the outmigration from the Middle East, Armenia and other former Soviet Republics is creating new diasporan communities. What is known about them? Are new types of institutions taking shape in such communities? What dynamics are at play in comparison to earlier experiences of diaspora-building? What is the relationship between the “new” and “established” communities where they coexist?

 

The current research project is provisionally planned to be built around the following structure and themes:

 

Part I: Armenian Diasporan Communities Today

 

•    Changes due to out-migration, for example in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Palestine/Israel, Greece, Egypt, etc.

•    Current developments in recently formed communities, including Russia, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavian countries, Spain, Portugal, etc.

•    Proposals may focus on specific regions or cities such as California, Rhone Valley, Tabriz, Aleppo, Beirut, Moscow, Nor Nakhichevan/Rostov-on-Don, Tbilisi, Istanbul, etc.

 

Part II: Armenian Diasporan Institutions and Organisations

 

•    Specific institutions, such as the churches, the three political parties and their satellite organisations, major foundations, organisations or initiatives – be they established or relatively new. Studies on youth and social movements, with particular emphasis on current dynamics.

•    Philanthropy and the Diaspora, especially after 1988.

•    Diasporan political activism.

•    Diasporan sub-groups: issue-based mobilisation, professional associations, specific community initiatives.

 

 

Part III: Armenian Diasporan Individuals and their Biographies/Activities

 

•    In addition to institutions, there are people of different backgrounds who invest their time, energy and funds in Armenian issues, be it at the local or pan-national levels: philanthropists, community leaders, connectors, activists, intellectuals, artists, etc. What can be learned from their experiences – be they individuals, families or small informal groups?

•    Individuals as agents of change and innovation. What impact have their activities or approaches had in the Diaspora or in Armenia?

 

Part IV: Armenian Diaspora and its Relations with External Actors

 

•    Diaspora’s relations with host-country institutions and activities (political, social, cultural, economic), including with non-Armenian diasporan communities.

•    Diaspora’s relations with countries of origin (where born, the land of ancestors, the Republic of Armenia, or an abstract notion of homeland).

•    Expectations from Armenia and its government.

•    Migration from the Diaspora to Armenia.

•    Diaspora’s relations with regional bodies, for example with inter-state institutions such as the UN, the EU and others, as well as how such institutions relate to Armenian diasporic communities.

 

 

Part V: Cross-Cutting Themes and Issues in the Armenian Diaspora

 

•    Women and power relations in diasporan settings.

•    In addition to specific studies on gender-related issues, we strongly encourage to incorporate gender analysis throughout the various research areas mentioned above.

•    Educational institutions and language preservation/revitalisation.

•    The political economy of the Diaspora: how is its infrastructure funded? The nature and causes of inequalities. Regional differences in economic priorities.

•    Digital spaces, social media, other communication tools and their impact on mobilisation and identity.

•    Cultural production and the arts.

•    Social issues and changing habits.

 

 

 

We encourage researchers to consult the Armenian Diaspora Survey (ADS) in their research: https://www.armeniandiasporasurvey.com/. Concurrent to this call for proposals, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, through its Diasporan Perspectives initiative, will make the data of ADS available to the public by the end of 2026.

 

Application Process

 

The deadline for abstracts is 1 September 2026. Abstracts must be sent to info@diasporanperspectives.org. The subject line should say: “DP diaspora research project proposal.” The application package must include:

 

•    An abstract of the proposed research, maximum 400 words,

•    A brief cover note,

•    CV,

•    List of publications and/or previous research projects (if not in CV).

 

Additional Submission Requirements

 

•    Applications must be submitted in English or French.

•    Both individual and joint applications are accepted.

•    Applicants may submit one application only.

•    All application materials must be submitted in PDF format.

 

Questions and further information: info@diasporanperspectives.org.

 

The selection committee will be composed of Diasporan Perspectives staff, a Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation representative, and two external experts.

 

Authors whose academic papers are accepted will receive an honorarium of 2.000 EUR. The amount for policy papers is to be determined.

 

 

Key dates

 

•    Deadline for abstracts: 1 September 2026.

•    Decisions will be communicated to applicants by 15 November 2026.

•    First draft of papers to be submitted by 31 March 2027.

•    Workshop (in person and/or online) to discuss draft papers in May 2027.

•    Papers to be peer reviewed during the summer of 2027.

•    Final papers to be submitted by 31 July 2027.

•    Accepted papers will be submitted to a publisher in 2028