Short answer: yes. There are several formal funding opportunities in the United States for higher study and research on Jainism, including endowed chairs, professorships, and PhD scholarships at major universities. Here are some notable examples and how to pursue them:

Key current opportunities (USA)

• University of Texas at Austin: Tirthankar Sumatinath Distinguished Professorship in Jain Studies. This is an endowed chair aimed at advancing Jain studies within the university’s Asian Studies program. Availability and details come from recent community reports about the endowment and its purpose. ( theweek.in)
• University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign): Jainism program supported by a $1 million gift to establish Jainism studies within the Department of Religion. This fund is described as enabling ongoing curriculum and program development across Jain studies. ( las.illinois.edu)
• University of California, Davis: The Mohini Jain Presidential Chair for Jain Studies in the Department of Religious Studies (funded by a $1.5 million donation to advance Jain studies and Indian religions). ( religions.ucdavis.edu)
• University of Colorado Denver: Bhagwan Suparshvanatha Endowed Chair in Jain Studies (in CLAS), with the inaugural holder named in 2024, continuing the university’s Jain Studies initiative. ( ucdenver.edu)

What this means for you

• Pathways: If you want to pursue higher study and research on Jainism in the US, look for:

- PhD programs or religious studies programs with a Jain studies track or center. - Endowed chairs or visiting professorships that focus on Jain studies. - Grants or fellowships connected to Jain studies or South Asian religious studies.

• How to proceed:

- Identify programs with active Jain studies initiatives (religion or Asian/South Asian studies departments). - Check each program’s news pages or development/fundraising announcements for details on current or upcoming scholarships, fellowships, or professorships. - Contact department chairs or the center coordinating Jain studies to learn about application requirements, timing, and eligibility. - If you’re early in your career, ask about graduate student funding or assistantships that align with Jain studies.

• Additional context: There have been notable philanthropic efforts over the past decade that have funded Jain studies in multiple US universities, signaling growing formal recognition of Jain scholarship in higher education. ( indiatoday.in)

Notes

• The landscape of scholarships and endowed positions can change with new gifts or program changes. If you’re exploring this now, it’s best to verify current openings and deadlines directly with the university departments.
• If you’re considering international options beyond the US (for broader context), there are also prominent Jain studies programs and scholarships abroad (e.g., SOAS, University of London), but these are outside the United States.

If you’d like, I can help you outline a plan to approach specific programs (email templates, questions to ask, and a timeline) based on the universities you’re most interested in.