Call for Applications – Resident Scholar Program for Lebanon-based and Lebanese Scholars

The Finnish Institute in the Middle East in Beirut is excited to announce the call for applications for its Resident Scholar Program for the period of 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025. The application period is now open, ending on 21 April 2024.

You can apply for the residency if you are a Lebanon-based scholar, or a Lebanese scholar currently based abroad but willing to work in our institute in Beirut. You should hold a PhD in humanities, social sciences, or another relevant field of study, have a solid track record of conducting academic research in or on the Middle East, and be fluent in English.

During your six months as a full-time resident scholar, you can pursue your own academic research without any administrative duties as a full member of our small collegial work community in Badaro Street, Beirut. You will have your own workspace and access to other resources FIME provides for its staff. These include our small library and seminar rooms.

As well as conducting your own research, you will execute an activity aimed at the academic and/or general audience. This can be a small academic event such as a seminar or workshop. You will also have the chance to popularize your own research in writing or in podcast-form through FIME’s platforms.

As a resident scholar, you will receive a monthly grant of 2 500 USD from 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025.

Finnish Institute in the Middle East

The Finnish Institute in the Middle East (FIME) is an academic institute located in Beirut and financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. As well as conducting academic research, FIME’s activities include workshops, conferences, and collaboration with other academic institutions in the Middle East and North Africa. We also support and facilitate Middle East Studies at Finnish universities, organize education in co-operation with universities in Finland, other Nordic countries and the Middle East, and advance academic and cultural co-operation between Finland and the countries of the MENA area. For us, Middle East Studies cover a wide range of disciplines and topics from archaeology to politics, and from ancient civilizations to contemporary societies. As an academic institute we promote equal opportunity policies in our work. We are a tiny but active community located on the lively Badaro Street.

How to Apply

The following appendices are required:

  • A cover letter (1 page) 
  • Academic curriculum vitae with major publications (max 4 pages)  
  • Official PhD degree certificate or a letter from your supervisor confirming the date of your graduation 
  • Description of the research project and its outputs to be worked on as a resident scholar (max. 5 pages), including the relevance of this position for its successful execution  
  • Proposal for a small activity aimed at local academic and/or general audience (max. 1 000 characters) 
  • Two names of academic referees, with references requested from shortlisted candidates 

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in early May. The final decision will be made in early June.

See the Resident Scholar 2024 – FAQ page for answers to most frequently asked questions.

Please submit your application in English here.

We evaluate the applications based on relevance of the academic project to our institute, not on seniority in academia. For further inquiries concerning the position and the application process, please contact Dr Susanne Dahlgren, Director of FIME: institute@fime.fi