The American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) announces its annual Grants Program for the academic year beginning in May 2017. The program offers grants to U.S. scholars interested in conducting research on North Africa in any Maghrib country, specifically Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, or Tunisia. AIMS sponsors three Overseas Research Centers in the region in Oran, Tunis and Tangier and has other institutional affiliations that support AIMS scholars. AIMS only funds 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 accordance with an agreement with major funding agencies, applicants may not accept multiple grants concurrently for the same project. In the event a grantee declines an AIMS award to accept another grant, AIMS may provide a small allowance for supplementary research expenses. 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. All applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Recipients of AIMS awards in either of the two previous funding cycles are ineligible to apply. Travel/research plans must be set and funds must be disbursed prior to May 2017. Applicants must be members of AIMS at the time of application. For membership and grant information, please contact the AIMS Executive Office at aims@aimsnorthafrica.org or go to:www.AIMSNorthAfrica.org.

Requirements: All AIMS grantees are required to present their research at one of the AIMS Overseas Research Centers or affiliated centers, currently CEMA in Oran, Algeria; CEMAT in Tunis, Tunisia; Dar Si-Hmad in Sidi Ifni, Morocco; TALIM in Tangier, Morocco. AIMS Grantees must also submit a written report within one monthof completing their fieldwork.

Applications must include the following:
• A completed grant application cover sheet: Go to: http://www.aimsnorthafrica.org/
• Proposal or research design of no more than 1,500 words
• A proposed itinerary with approximate dates
• Budget (from all sources)
• Vitae, including indication of language proficiency and institutional affiliation
• One page summary of the proposed research in either French or Arabic.
• Letters of recommendation from two referees, including the candidateís dissertation advisor, or in the case of applicants holding a Ph.D., the names of two persons who may be contacted for references.

Applications should be arranged in the order above and emailed to AIMSFellowship@gmail.com.

The deadline for applications is January 31st, 2017. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered for funding.

Awards will be announced in April. 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 Fly America Act.

*These awards are made possible through grants from U.S. Department of State*

Source: Allen Fromherz