The American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) announces its annual Grants Program for academic year 2023-2024 beginning in July 2023. The Grant Program offers grants to U.S. scholars to conduct research on North African topics in Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, or Tunisia. AIMS Overseas Research Centers in Oran, Tunis, and Tangier facilitate AIMS grants and support AIMS scholars. AIMS funds only primary research conducted in the Maghrib.
Short-Term Research Grants
AIMS awards short-term grants for one to three months for up to $6,000. These awards may also be used in combination with grants from other sources for projects of longer duration.
Long-Term Research Grants
AIMS offers awards with a maximum of $15,000 for projects longer than three months. In the event a grantee declines an AIMS award to accept another grant, AIMS may provide a small allowance for supplementary research expenses.
In accordance with agreements with other major funding agencies, applicants may not accept multiple grants concurrently for the same project. Some privately funded grants are exempt from this rule.
Eligibility
Graduate students currently enrolled in an M.A. or Ph.D. program, independent scholars, and faculty in all disciplines are eligible to apply. Applicants must be current AIMS members and U.S. citizen at the time of application. Recipients of AIMS awards in either of the two previous funding cycles are ineligible to apply. Researchers who will need IRB approval must obtain IRB clearance before departure to North Africa.
Requirements
All AIMS grantees are required to present on their research at one of the AIMS Overseas Research Centers or affiliated centers: CEMA in Oran, Algeria; CEMAT in Tunis, Tunisia; TALIM in Tangier, Morocco; Dar Si-Hmad in Sidi Ifni and Agadir, Morocco. AIMS Grantees must also submit a written report to the AIMS Secretariat within one month of completion of their fieldwork.
Applications must include the following:
- A completed grant application cover sheet: PDF to download on this page, left side
- Proposal or research design of no more than 1,500 words
- A proposed research itinerary with approximate dates
- Budget, including research grants for this project from all sources
- Vitae, including indication of language proficiency and institutional affiliation at home and if applicable, in the field
- One-page summary of the proposed research in either French or Arabic written by the applicant
- Letters of recommendation from two referees, including the candidate’s dissertation advisor, or in the case of applicants holding a Ph.D., the names of two persons who may be contacted for references. Letters must be emailed separately from the application to AIMSFellowship@gmail.com
Applications should be organized in the order above and emailed to AIMSFellowship@gmail.com
All materials must be scanned into one document and submit as one attachment. Letters can be emailed separately.
The deadline for applications is January 31st, 2023. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Awards will be announced in April 2023. Information on research clearance procedures will be distributed to successful applicants and must be followed. Research clearance through AIMS must be received before departure to North Africa. Grantees are advised that it can take up to six months to obtain the necessary research clearances and also that air travel from the U.S. must meet the conditions of the Fly America Act.
AIMS recognizes that disruptions caused by the coronavirus global pandemic have affected all aspects of academic endeavor, and that travel to the Maghrib remains in flux. Mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in combination with available levels of preventions and treatments for coronavirus disease, pre-existing health conditions, and travel restrictions may alter travel plans. While funds cannot be used past the funding cycle, AIMS understands that travel plans may shift. Following receipts of an award, AIMS will work with fellows to confirm their travel plans.
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These awards are made possible through grants from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
of the United States Department of State