Persian Heritage Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information requires accessing 990-PF forms
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (research); $1,000 - $5,000 (publication)
• Geographic Focus: International (focus on Persianate world studies)

Contact Details

• Website: https://persianheritagefoundation.org/
• Phone: (559) 285-0202
• Address: 8050 N. Palm Ave. Suite 300, Fresno, CA 93711
• Application inquiries: Via website contact form

Overview

The Persian Heritage Foundation (PHF) is a non-political, non-governmental 501(c)(3) private foundation established in 1983 by the late Professor Ehsan Yarshater, former Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies at Columbia University. The foundation supports and promotes research on all aspects of the Persianate world in both the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. Their geographic scope extends beyond modern Iran to include Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Indian Subcontinent, and the wider Iranian diaspora. PHF has been instrumental in establishing major academic centers including the Yarshater Center for Iranian Studies at Columbia University (2018) with an $11 million endowment, and continues to support the landmark Encyclopaedia Iranica project.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Research Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (support for research, travel, conferences, workshops, and presentations)
  • Application deadlines: April 1 and October 1 annually
• Publication Subvention Grants: $1,000 - $5,000 (scholarly publication support)
  • Application deadlines: April 1 and October 1 annually
• Institutional Support: Variable amounts for seminars, conferences, and lecture series
  • Rolling basis or by arrangement

Priority Areas

• Art and archaeology of the Persianate world
• Architecture and urban studies
• History and language studies
• Social sciences related to Iranian/Persian culture
• Support for the Encyclopaedia Iranica
• Arts projects related to Persian/Iranian culture

What They Don't Fund

• Political activities or advocacy
• Projects outside the scope of Persian/Iranian studies
• Non-scholarly or non-academic projects

Governance and Leadership

President: Rudolph Matthee, John and Dorothy Munroe Distinguished Professor of History, University of Delaware

Board Members include:

• Elton L. Daniel - Former Editor-in-Chief, Encyclopaedia Iranica
• Ali Gheissari - Editor-in-Chief of Iranian Studies & Professor of History, University of San Diego

Founding Director (deceased): Professor Ehsan Yarshater (1920-2018), who led the foundation for 35 years and whose vision continues to guide its mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted twice yearly through the foundation's website. The foundation states: "Grants are awarded annually and evaluated by a committee of peers who convene, review the pool of applications, and subsequently awards grants to approved applicants."

Requirements:

• Submit application through official channels
• Provide references from senior academics acquainted with the candidate and their work
• References must be on institutional letterhead and sent as PDFs from official work email addresses
• PHF Board members cannot serve as referees

Decision Timeline

• April 1 deadline: Responses by mid-May (6-8 weeks)
• October 1 deadline: Responses by mid-November (6-8 weeks)

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, though the twice-yearly application cycle suggests unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent rounds

Application Success Factors

Based on PHF's stated requirements and funded projects:

• Strong academic credentials and institutional affiliation enhance applications
• References from respected senior academics in the field are essential
• Projects should clearly advance scholarship on the Persianate world
• The foundation values projects with broad scholarly impact, as evidenced by their support for the Encyclopaedia Iranica
• Post-award compliance is important - recipients must submit technical and financial reports within 60 days after the award period
• Formal acknowledgment of PHF support is required in all resulting publications or presentations
• Projects supporting publication and dissemination of research appear particularly well-aligned with the foundation's mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• PHF is a specialized funder focused exclusively on Persian/Iranian studies across multiple disciplines
• Two annual application deadlines provide regular opportunities for funding
• Grant amounts are modest but can provide crucial support for research and publication
• Strong academic references are mandatory - cultivate relationships with senior scholars in the field
• The foundation has a track record of major institutional support alongside smaller individual grants
• Projects with potential for lasting scholarly impact align well with PHF's legacy-building mission
• Compliance with reporting requirements is essential for maintaining good standing

References

• Persian Heritage Foundation official website: https://persianheritagefoundation.org/ (accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer profile: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133201819 (accessed February 2026)
• Columbia University Center for Iranian Studies: Programs and Publications (accessed February 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for EIN 133201819 (multiple years)
• Institute for Advanced Study: 2019 grant announcement for Zaydism research
• Charity Navigator profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133201819 (accessed February 2026)
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid) profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=PERS002 (accessed February 2026)