Institut français du Proche-Orient

The French Institute of the Near East (Institut français du Proche-Orient, IFPO) is part of a network of French research centers abroad. The IFPO has branches in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.

History
The IFPO was created in 2003 by 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), est. 1977 in Lebanon and 1988 in Jordan). The IFPO has 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 (National Centre for Scientific Research). In 2010, the IFPO opened a center for research inside Erbil Citadel, the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlement.

Fields of research and area purposes
IFPO is active in Iraq Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Palestinian Territories. Its Director-General, who was based in Damascus until 2012, is Myriam Catusse. The institute's mission includes research, research training, the diffusion of knowledge, and cooperation with local and international institutions. This mission is carried out with the support of the local Ministries in charge of Research and Higher Education, and in close cooperation with both. The institute acts as a center for study and research in all fields relating to the civilizations of the Near East, both ancient and modern. The institute aims to raise the French research contribution to the highest academic standards of the various fields, from the earliest times to the contemporary period. The institute also trains young researchers for careers in teaching and research.

Organization
The institute is organized into three scientific departments: Archeology and Ancient History (Director Carole ROCHE-HAWLEY); Arab, Medieval and Modern Studies (director: Iyas Hassan); and Contemporary Studies (director: Matthieu Rey). The institute recruits experienced researchers (at various levels in their careers) from France, from the three countries in which it is established, from 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 instutute initiates. IFPO also welcomes young researchers (PhD candidates, grant holders, etc.) of all nationalities to take part. The duration of their stay varies according to the individual. The institute also awards some short-term grants for limited projects. Since many of these researchers also belong to other research teams or programs in France and elsewhere, the institute hopes that these projects will strengthen and broaden its academic network.