The Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) encourages undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan who are planning to study, intern, or conduct research abroad on topics related to Middle Eastern and North African Studies during the summer to apply for the Lois A. Aroian Middle Eastern and North African Studies Fellowship. The fellowship is made possible by a generous donation from U-M Alumna Lois A. Aroian, so students can pursue their interests in the Middle East and North Africa and be presented with the same opportunities she has.
Awards are ranging from $500-$1,000.
Application Deadline: March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to U-M Ann Arbor undergraduate students (in the classes of 2026 or 2027), master’s, doctoral, and professional students, regardless of citizenship, enrolled in a full-time degree program.
- Project date must be between May 1, 2025 and August 26, 2025.
- Eligible students must return to campus for at least one term prior to graduation.
- Applicants for research grants may be at preliminary or more advanced stages of their research.
- Applicants for internships should be prepared to identify the venue for their internship in a governmental agency, business, or non-governmental institution abroad, and must have documentation showing the internship is secured.
- All travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the LSA International Travel Guidelines.
- Funding can be used for air travel, local transportation, room and board, research expenses, fees for educational opportunities, and visa fees.
Application Requirements:
- Application Form
- Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) including proposed time period, institutional affiliation, your reasons for pursuing the project, and how this experience will contribute to your career goals
- Project Budget
- One letter of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae or résumé
- University of Michigan unofficial transcript
- Letter of invitation or description of in-country resources
Increase your chances of securing funding by submitting a Global Research & Internship Opportunities Common Application (deadline 2/15) along with this award or other Region or Country-Specific Opportunities. Don't miss out - read more here.
Reporting:
A written report based on the experience will be required by August 26, 2025.
Selection Process:
A selection committee comprised of faculty affiliated with the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies will evaluate the applications on the following criteria: feasibility, relevance to degree program, relevance to career goals, record of academic achievement, and overall quality of the application. Applicants should not assume they will receive an award, and should not purchase airline tickets before the awards are announced if they cannot cover the cost from other sources.
Contact: iifellowships@umich.edu
