Graduate Grants & Assistantships
The King Fahd Center supports graduate study for students at the MA and PhD levels working in academic disciplines with a Center faculty specialist in Middle East/Islamic Studies through competitive MEST Graduate Assistantships in a limited number of departments and programs within the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
The Center also supports summer language study and research focusing on the Middle East, North Africa and Islamic Studies conducted within the United States or abroad through competitive Summer Research Grants.
Conference Travel Grants for students participating in an approved regional, national or international conference are also available on a competitive basis.
Deadlines and requirements subject to change without prior notice. Please address any questions about deadlines and the application process to Renato Despain, MEST Program Manager.
Deadline: February 1
The Middle East Studies program funds a limited number of graduate assistantships for students working under the supervision of MEST Faculty. Inquire with the MEST Faculty affiliate in your discipline about available positions.
Stipends and Work Assignments
Each MEST Graduate Assistantship is a 9-month, 50% appointed position and offers a stipend of $15,000 as well as a tuition waiver for up to 15 graduate credit hours per semester (Fall and Spring). Undergraduate credit hours (for example, introductory language studies courses) may also be waived with approval.
Waivers cover tuition only, and will not cover fees, taxes, or any other expenses, including University of Arkansas student fees.
Language study is a key component of Middle East Studies. Graduate Assistants funded by the MEST are expected to pursue fluency in Arabic (or another language related to their research agenda as approved by their advisor) commensurate with their course of study and to show sustained progress. Native speakers will be exempt from this requirement, but must satisfy appropriate foreign language requirements as stipulated by their academic department.
The Graduate School defines a 50% assignment as the equivalent of 20 hours per week. Graduate Assistants will be expected to work from the Monday before classes begin to the 15th of December, May or August, depending on the semester of appointment, except when the University is closed.
MEST-funded graduate assistants will be assigned research and/or teaching under the direct supervision of their faculty advisor.
Deadline: February 1
The King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Arkansas offers grants up to $3000 for graduate students working on a relevant geo-cultural topic under the supervision of a MEST faculty member. Awards may be applied toward travel funds to support research and/or language study in the United States or abroad. All graduate students with relevant research are eligible to apply for a Research Support Grant, not only those students currently funded by the King Fahd Center. Award amounts are variable and dependent upon available funds.
In order to qualify for funds, students must register their travel plans with the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange; no funds may be dispersed without approval to travel. Students who are traveling to destinations on the State Department Travel Warning list may be required to file a Petition for Exception to Overseas Travel Policy.
Complete applications must include:
- A 2-3 page research proposal indicating the nature of the project, relevance to academic program, and anticipated outcome
- Any relevant letters of invitation or affiliation with an academic/research institution, or application to and (if possible) acceptance into an academic program
- A proposed budget with attached justification outlining expected expenses including air travel, tuition/fees, lodging, any special anticipated research expenses
- Indication of support from any other source
- A formal recommendation letter from the applicant’s MEST faculty advisor
Grant awardees are required to submit a 3-5 page summary report of research conducted and 5-10 good quality photos taken over the course of the trip within 30 days of research completion, or be considered ineligible for future funding.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the conference date
The King Fahd Center supports the professional development of graduate students by providing a limited number of competitive conference travel grants to students who are presenting papers at academic conferences on topics related to the Middle East and North Africa. Any graduate student funded by the King Fahd Center and/or working on a relevant geo-cultural topic under the supervision of a MEST faculty member may apply for travel funds to support participation (presentation of a paper/poster or participation in a workshop/round-table) at an academic conference.
Proposals will be judged on merit and the amount of support will be determined by available funds. These grants may be used toward travel and other expenses associated with participation in a professional meeting.
Full-time graduate students must also apply for conference travel support from the Graduate School prior to applying for MEST funding. Travel to conferences outside of the United States are subject to approval by the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange; students must register their travel plans in order to be eligible for funds.
All applications must include a statement of purpose indicating conference name, location and the nature of participation along with a letter of invitation indicating that the applicant has been selected to participate. In addition, a travel budget and justification must be included, along with indication of any other financial support, and a letter of support from a MEST faculty member.