Center for Middle Eastern Studies

Founded in 1963, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) promotes the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the University of California, Berkeley, and beyond, raising public awareness of the region’s diverse peoples, languages, cultures and their connection to wider global contexts.  CMES's more than 60 Senior Research Scholars cover a depth and breadth of disciplinary expertise, including but not limited to, anthropology, archaeology, Egyptology, Islamic studies, Jewish studies,  political science, and sociology.  We provide a number of funding opportunities for students and faculty across campus, including grants for overseas language study and research and travel grants.