KF Announcement
September 2022

Honoring Excellence in Buddhist Studies: Nomination Window for KF Dissertation Award Opens October 1, 2022

The Khyentse Foundation Award for Outstanding PhD Dissertation in Buddhist Studies is given annually to the author of a doctoral dissertation in the field of Buddhist Studies, defended during the previous two academic years. The dissertation must be based on original research in the relevant primary language or languages, and it should significantly advance the understanding of the subject or Buddhist scriptures studied.

The award, which carries a US$8,000 prize, is granted in alternate years to Asian and European dissertations. This year, submissions from Europe will be considered. 

Accredited institutions across Europe, including the UK, that offer PhD programs in Buddhist Studies or religious studies, are invited to nominate one dissertation that was completed during the academic year 2020–21 or 2021–22. Only dissertations written in English, French, or German will be considered. The nomination period is from October 1 through December 31, 2022. The winning dissertation will be announced by June 30, 2023.

All nominations must be accompanied by four separate documents in English:

• A letter of recommendation by a member of the faculty and/or the chair of the department or institution
• A summary of the dissertation (not more than 2 pages)
• One representative chapter of the dissertation (can be in English, French, or German)
• Full contact information for the department and for the author of the dissertation

These documents should be submitted as email attachments to [email protected].

A five-person committee will select three dissertations to be read in their entirety by all committee members, who will select the winning dissertation.

Check out the past award winners on the awards page, and contact the dissertation award coordinator with inquiries.