Institut français du Proche-Orient

The French Institute of the Near East (, IFPO) is a research-based organization under the French government's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French: Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères) portfolio. It is part of a network of French research centers abroad. The IFPO has branches in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.
History
The IFPO was established in 2003, combining three existing French institutes in the area: IFEAD (French Institute for Arab Studies in Damascus, established in 1922), IFAPO (French Institute of Near Eastern Archaeology, established in Syria and Lebanon in 1946) and CERMOC (Centre for Study and Research on the Contemporary Middle East, established in Lebanon in 1977 and in Jordan in 1988). The IFPO holds the status of a "Joint Entity of French Research Institutes Abroad" (UMIFRE no6, Unité Mixte des Instituts français de recherche à l’étranger) and is under the aegis of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). In 2010, the IFPO opened a research center in the Erbil Citadel in Iraq.
Fields of research and area purposes
The IFPO is active in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. Its Director-General, who was based in Damascus until 2012, is Myriam Catusse. The institute's stated mission encompasses research, research training, the diffusion of knowledge, and cooperation with local and international institutions. The institute aims to carry out this mission with the support and close cooperation of the local Ministries in charge of research and higher education.

The institute acts as a center for study and research relating all eras of civilizations of the Near East across diverse academic fields. The institute also trains young researchers for careers in teaching and research.
Organization
The institute is organized into three scientific departments: Archaeology and Ancient History (Director Carole Roche-Hawley), Arab, Medieval and Modern Studies (Director Iyas Hassan); and Contemporary Studies (Director Matthieu Rey).

The institute recruits researchers from France, as well as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Europe, and from the rest of the world. Researchers come for a maximum of four years and are selected to take part in various academic projects the institute initiates. IFPO also welcomes young researchers (PhD candidates, grant holders, etc.) of all nationalities. The duration of their stay varies according to the individual.

The institute also awards some short-term grants for limited projects.

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