Funding
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.
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.
- Undergraduate award recipients are required to report back on their experiences and share best practices. It might take the form of a presentation during an event organized through the DUG or of a brief video and a short statement at the end of the student's project that CMES will put on its website.
You will be asked to provide:
1, one page proposal
2. proposed itinerary
3. itemized budget
4. names of other funding sources (this will be viewed favorably)
5. letter of support from academic adviser, addressed to the Director, Center for Middle East Studies, cmes_director@brown.edu
6. contact information in US and overseas
Reimbursement deadlines:Travel must be completed and original receipts (showing proof of purchase) must be submitted for reimbursement up to the amount of the award by January 23, 2026, for winter 2025-26 travel and September 4, 2026, for summer 2026 travel. Research travel taken during the summer will be considered in the spring applications. The same deadlines apply.
If travel is cancelled for whatever reason, the student is required to notify and reimburse the Center for Middle East Studies for the full amount within 2 weeks of cancellation. CMES does not give advances.
Please note that all receipts must be submitted within 60 days of when the expense was incurred, otherwise the expense will be taxed as income as required by the IRS.
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.