Center for Middle East Studies

Middle East Studies Research and Training Awards

Made possible by a generous gift from the Sams Family.

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Middle East Studies Research and Training Awards

Made possible by a generous gift from the Sams Family.

Middle East Studies Research and Training Awards are grants available to undergraduate and graduate students intended to defray some of the costs of transportation for research projects focused on the Middle East. Funding is available in two cycles every academic year, in the fall and in the spring. Applications are reviewed at the subsequent CMES faculty steering committee meeting. 

Research and training funding is for the purpose of developing the student's research project, not for attending conferences or classes that don't directly further this research. Recent award recipients have used the funds for archival research, archaeological digs, ethnographic fieldwork and furthering languages studies to read material in its original language.

Previous award recipients will not be considered for another research travel award for two years. Preference is given to those applying for the first time.

Deadline for Winter cycle is November 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. EST
Deadline for Summer cycle is April 16, 2027, 4:00 p.m. EST
 

The University is currently deferring all Brown-related travel to Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Until this recommendation changes, CMES will not provide funding to travel to any of these locations. 

Guidance and Requirements

Refer to Brown's travel policy and Travel@Brown for guidance and requirements. International travel must be registered in TravelSafe. Certain destinations require a Safety Plan be reviewed and approved by GTRAC.

Travel Awards

Graduate Research and Training Award

Up to $1,500 for Middle East studies graduate students

  • Travel is not limited to the Middle East, however, applicants must be conducting research in Middle East studies
  • Graduate applicant support will be based on travel and expenses focused specifically on conducting research for their dissertations, not for attending conferences 
  • Previous award recipients will not be considered for another research travel award for two years. Preference is given to those applying for the first time. 

Undergraduate Research and Training Award

Up to $1,000 in individual funding is available for Middle East studies undergraduate concentrators

  • Travel is not limited to the Middle East; however, applicants must be conducting research in Middle East studies. Funds are not for attending conferences.
  • Priority will be given to students concentrating in Middle East studies using the funds towards research for the senior Capstone or Honors Thesis.
  • Students in concentrations other than Middle East studies but with Middle East-related research will be considered 
  • Previous award recipients will not be considered for another research travel award for two years. Preference is given to those applying for the first time.