Center for Middle East Studies

Middle East Studies Research Travel Awards

Middle East Studies Research Travel 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. Our research travel funding is for the purpose of developing the student's research project, not for attending a conference or language classes that don't directly further research into the capstone or thesis project or the dissertation. Recent award recipients have used the funds for archival research, archaeological digs, ethnographic fieldwork, and furthering languages studies to allow them to read material in its original language.

Previous award recipients will not be considered for another research travel award for two years. At all times, preference will be given to someone who is applying for the first time.

Deadline for Winter cycle is November 21, 2025, 4:00 p.m. EST
Deadline for Summer cycle is April 17, 2026, 4:00 p.m. EST
Applications are reviewed at the subsequent CMES faculty steering committee meeting. Applicants will be informed soon thereafter.

Please refer to Brown's travel policy and the information posted on the Travel@Brown website for guidance and requirements. All international travel must be registered in TravelSafe. Please also note that depending on the destination, students may be required to submit a Safety Plan for review and approval by GTRAC before travel can be booked. 

Travel Awards

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. At all times, preference will be given to someone who is applying for the first time. 

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. At all times, preference will be given to someone who is applying for the first time.