Research on Levantine Minorities Fund

The Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) encourages faculty members at the University of Michigan who conduct research on Levantine minorities, defined as ethnic, cultural, or religious populations or communities which are minorities within their Levantine states of residence. Levantine states will be defined as present-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and West Bank/Gaza (Palestine), or prior states existing in that region. Examples of research-related activities to be financed are travel, acquisitions of documents, and publication.

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. 

Deadline for submission of proposals is March 1, 2026. Awardees will be notified by April 1, 2026.

Proposals should include:

1. Faculty Funding request form
2. One-page CV 
3. Research proposal no longer than 1,000 words; and
4. Itemized budget, including all sources of support (pending and confirmed)

Proposals should be submitted as a single PDF document to cmenas@umich.edu

The Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) encourages graduate students at the University of Michigan who are planning to conduct summer research on topics related to Levantine minorities defined as ethnic, cultural, or religious populations or communities which are minorities within their Levantine states of residence. Levantine states will be defined as present-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and West Bank/Gaza (Palestine), or prior states existing in that region. Examples of research-related activities to be financed are travel, acquisitions of documents, and publication.

Awards are ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Application Deadline: March 1 at 11:59 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Open to U-M Ann Arbor master’s, doctoral, and professional students, regardless of citizenship, enrolled in a full-time degree program.
• Eligible students must return to campus for at least one term prior to graduation.
• Project date must be between May 1, 2025 and August 26, 2025.
• All travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the LSA International Travel Guidelines.
• Applicants for research grants may be at preliminary or more advanced stages of their research and should be prepared to identify the location of their research.
• 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: required for research applicants joining an established research project.
  

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 the end of the first week of fall classes.

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