Grants

Apply Now for Middle East Studies Association of North America Global Academy Grant (Up to $5,000 Award)

April 16, 2024

The Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) is currently accepting applications for its Global Academy 2024-2025.

Middle East Studies Association of North America Global Academy Grant

The MESA Global Academy, in collaboration with the City University of New York and other esteemed university partners, is a cross-disciplinary initiative to foster vital research collaborations and knowledge creation among academics focused on the MENA region, particularly those based in North America.

Funded by the Carnegie Corporation, the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation, and the Persian Heritage Foundation, the MESA Global Academy offers scholarships to scholars displaced from the MENA region.

Program Overview of Middle East Studies Association of North America Global Academy Grant

The MESA Global Academy supports scholars engaged in research on governance, accountability, and the rule of law, as well as those focusing on fairness and economic equality. This initiative welcomes scholars from different humanities and social sciences backgrounds, ranging from comparative literature, history, and Islamic studies to political science, anthropology, economics, and beyond.

Scholars selected for the Global Academy will participate in research workshops hosted by partner universities, where they will present their work and engage as discussants. They will also attend professional development workshops and are sponsored to participate in a MESA Annual Meeting.

Areas of emphasis

Governance, Accountability, and the Rule of Law: This area will explore opportunities for improving the rule of law and governance reform in the MENA region post-Arab uprisings. Topics include judicial independence, anti-corruption strategies, decentralization, public service equity, law enforcement fairness, and promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Fairness and Economic Equality: This area will look into socio-economic justice issues in a region marked by significant inequality, youth demographics, and unemployment challenges. Topics include constitutional protections for socioeconomic rights, health services, poverty alleviation, labour markets, education access, youth employment, food security, sustainable development, infrastructure investment, and the nexus between sustainable goals and social justice.

Financial Support

Selected scholars receive a $5,000 award covering travel and research expenses.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, you must be a:

Middle East Studies scholar displaced from the MENA region and currently based in North America
Holders of a PhD or equivalent in social sciences or humanities (graduate students are not eligible)
Previous institutional affiliation in the MENA region
Demonstrated scholarly productivity through publications in English, French, a MENA native language, or the primary research language of their field