Institut français du Proche-Orient
The French Institute of the Near East is a French social science research institute with locations in Jordan, Lebanon, with additional operations in Iraq and Palestine, and formerly in Syria until 2011. It was founded in 2002.
Operating under the French government's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs portfolio, the IFPO is part of a network of French research centers abroad.
History
The IFPO was established in 2002, combining three existing French institutes in the area: IFEAD, IFAPO, and CERMOC. The IFPO holds the status of a "Joint Entity of French Research Institutes Abroad" and is under the aegis of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CNRS. In 2010, the IFPO opened a research center in the Erbil Citadel in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.Organization
The institute is organized into three scientific departments: Archaeology and Ancient History ; Arab Studies, Medieval and Modern ; and Contemporary Studies.The institute recruits researchers from France, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and other countries around the world.
Researchers are selected to participate in various academic projects initiated by the institute for a maximum duration of three years. The IFPO is also open to young researchers of all nationalities. The duration of their stay varies according to the individual.
The institute also awards some short-term grants for limited projects.