Research Expertise from the Academic Diaspora (READ)

For Albanian Resident Scholars

READ Research Collaboration with the Butrint Management Foundation

READ is pleased to announce its cooperation with the Butrint Management Foundation to support the vision and objectives of the Integrated Management Plan for Butrint National Park (2020–2030), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park with interconnected cultural, archaeological, and environmental value.

In this special competition, READ is calling for proposals that will strengthen site management capacities through the development of scientific knowledge, systematic monitoring, and the use of data to support long-term planning and decision-making. This approach aims to ensure the preservation and sustainable development of the cultural and natural values that make Butrint one of Albania’s most significant heritage assets.

In this context, there is a need for research that supports the long-term preservation of cultural and natural heritage, improves understanding of environmental processes and the impacts of climate change, strengthens visitor management, and promotes the sustainable development of local communities.

Priority will be given to initiatives that generate knowledge and practical tools for the monitoring, documentation, and management of the site, contributing to long-term planning, professional capacity building, and informed decision-making processes. In line with the Integrated Management Plan approach, research is encouraged to address conservation, environment, tourism, infrastructure, and community development in an interconnected manner, with the aim of ensuring the preservation and transmission of Butrint’s outstanding values to future generations.

Projects in the following fields of study are considered priority:

  • Conservation
  • Archaeology
  • Hydrology / Geology
  • Ecology
  • Agriculture
  • Heritage Management
  • Visitor Management

Project should only be proposed for the Collaborative Research activity, and all projects should be in the category of Applied Research such that the outcomes of the research are immediately applicable to the challenges facing the Butrint National Park.  Projects selected in this special competition can begin as early as 1 October 2026 and should be completed by 30 September 2027

The application for the READ-Butrint special competition opens on Monday, 15 June 2026 and the deadline is Thursday, 30 July, 2026.

Please note: The online application for Resident Scholars for project in READ Year 6 (2027-28) is closed. The Year 6 application is expected to open in early fall 2026.

apply now for read-butrint round

Eligibility

Albanian Resident Scholars are academics based at an eligible university in Albania: The Albanian Resident Scholar(s) will collaborate with Diaspora Scholar on the project request. If selected, the Albanian Resident Scholar(s) will be the primary point of contact for the Diaspora Scholar during the fellowship period. Additionally, Albanian Resident Scholars must possess all the following qualifications in order to be eligible for the READ Program:

  • Albanian lecturer/scholar currently working at an eligible higher education institution (HEI) in Albania.
  • PhD or equivalent degree.
  • More than 5 years of working experience at a university or research center in Albania.
  • Good knowledge of English appropriate to the research project to be carried out in Albania.
  • Knowledge of the field of expertise and willingness to share and commit with the Diaspora Scholar

In READ Year 5, faculty at the following institutions are eligible to submit a READ project:

  • Albanian University
  • Aldent University
  • Aleksander Moisiu University, Durrës
  • Aleksandër Xhuvani University, Elbasan
  • Canadian Institute of Technology
  • Epoka University
  • Eqrem Çabej University, Gjirokastër
  • European University of Tirana
  • Fan S. Noli University, Korça
  • Ismail Qemali University of Vlorë
  • Luarasi University
  • Luigj Gurakuqi University, Shkodër
  • Marin Barleti University
  • Metropolitan University
  • POLIS University
  • Polytechnic University of Tirana
  • Sports University of Tirana
  • Tirana Business University
  • University College Bedër
  • Universiteti Mesdhetar
  • University of Agriculture of Tirana
  • University of Medicine
  • University of New York Tirana
  • University of the Arts
  • University of Tirana
  • Western Balkans University

Activities

READ provides support for Albanian Resident Scholars to request the visit of an Albanian Diaspora Project to pursue capacity-building collaborative research projects at eligible Albanian HEIs. READ supports this collaboration through four main activities: 

  • Collaborative research
  • Curricula and course development, and/or
  • Co-teaching.

READ encourages projects that combine co-teaching with other supported activities.

In many cases, READ anticipates that Albanian Scholars are in contact with colleagues from the Albanian Diaspora in an OECD country and will collaborate on the project details submitted by the Albanian Resident Scholar.  READ encourages this kind of cooperation, although it does not increase the likelihood of selection in comparison to projects without such prior cooperation.

Benefits

Albanian Resident Scholars who are awarded fellowships will also receive a Research Grant in the amount of 500,000 ALL.  In their applications, Albanian Resident Scholars will be invited to propose budgets in any or all of the following categories:

  • Payments to Resident Scholar(s): Gross salary per working day of the Albanian Resident Scholar and other Resident Scholars as part of the team. The daily salary should refer to the employment contract that the lecturer (each of the lecturers involved in the project) has with the employer (HEI).   
  • Publications and Printed Materials: Publication costs are the costs of publication in international journals with a high impact factor, including “Reviews”, the publication fee and any other costs applied by the publisher for the publication of the scientific article. READ recognizes only the invoice issued by the “Publisher” – the entity/journal that has published the article/articles with the author or group of authors involved in the project.
  • Kits and Reagents: The list of kits and reagents must be provided in the project. The list must be detailed with units and prices. Costs for laboratory analyses that are performed for a fee in a lab outside the HEI or in a lab of a university abroad..
  • Conferences, Summer Schools and Seminars: Activities of the nature of conferences, seminars, trainings, workshops foreseen as project activities.  
  • Other:  Applicants can suggest other costs for READ to consider.

Albanian Resident Scholars based at public universities can submit budgets of up to 2,500,000 ALL and may include Infrastructure expenses. The Infrastructure Budget covers equipment that will be used beyond the timeline of the READ project.  Equipment purchased under this project will be owned by the higher education institution and used by the researcher(s) engaged in the project.

The procurement process for the purchase of infrastructure equipment will be carried out by the institution according to standard public procurement procedures.

Infrastructure costs may include (but are not limited) to:

  • Devices: Computers, microscopes, and other hardware.
  • Software
  • Books and eBooks
  • Other:  Applicants can suggest other costs for READ to consider.

More information

Follow READ on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay informed of program updates, webinars on how to apply and other information that will assist your application. 

Email READ@iie.org with any questions.

Download Application Guidelines for Albanian Resident Scholars