Advanced seminars
Focused study with scholars working across Islamic thought, law, theology, history, and contemporary Muslim questions.
DIRI Strategic Partnership Programs
Advanced study · Mentorship · Scholarly community
Graduate Student Institute
An intensive academic experience where graduate students and recent graduates study important questions in Islam, develop their research, and form lasting scholarly connections.
About the program
What is the Graduate Student Institute?
The Graduate Student Institute is a focused learning and research environment for graduate students and recent graduates. It brings participants into sustained conversation with distinguished scholars through advanced seminars, close mentorship, and an immersive academic community.
The institute connects rigorous study with intellectual responsibility. Participants examine classical and contemporary questions, strengthen their research, and build relationships with peers working across Islamic studies and related disciplines.
Research mentorship
Time for serious discussion, thoughtful feedback, and development of each participant’s academic work.
Scholarly community
A residential setting that supports intellectual exchange, friendship, character, and service.
Past institute
Graduate Student Institute 2026
Islam in the Contemporary World
Nine days of intensive learning at DCA
Held June 29–July 9, 2026, at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, Maryland, the institute brought together graduate students from leading universities across the United States.
The program was organized with the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University, the Diyanet Center of America, and the Diyanet Islamic Research Institute.
9Days of learning
2026Completed institute
LanhamMaryland, USA
3Partner institutions
Academic experience
Fields of study and exchange
Participants studied with distinguished scholars across foundational disciplines and contemporary areas of inquiry.
Qur’anic Studies
Islamic Thought
Islamic Law
Theology
Islamic History
Contemporary Muslim Issues
Closing reflection
Knowledge is an amanah—a trust that should be accompanied by sincerity, character, and service.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca, Chair of the DCA Advisory Board, also reminded participants that the mosque has always been a center of learning in the Islamic tradition.
2026 photo archive
Inside the Institute
Seminars, shared study, community, and closing moments from the completed nine-day program.
View the complete 2026 gallery
A meaningful conclusion
Learning carried forward
Participants received commemorative gifts from DCA at the conclusion of the institute, and one student received a round-trip airline ticket to Türkiye.
The 2026 program closed with appreciation for the faculty, students, and staff whose contributions made the institute a meaningful scholarly experience.
Official record
Explore the 2026 archive
The original announcement documents the program format and eligibility. The DCA news story records the completed institute.
Future institutes
Next Graduate Student Institute
No new application cycle is currently published. Dates, eligibility, and application information will be added only after the next official announcement.