Research Associates

This unfunded research status enables independent scholars with funding from private sources may apply to ARCE for research associate status. Research associates receive the same administrative support in terms of clearances, permissions and mentoring as ARCE Fellows, but do not receive funding. Many independent scholars find that establishing this association with ARCE facilitates their ability to conduct research in Egypt. Research associates will be charged a modest fee for services if their universities are not ARCE research supporting members. Applicants who are awarded alternate status will automatically be invited to conduct their research as ARCE Research Associates.

Fields of Study: Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Art History, Comparative Literature, Coptic Studies, Economics, Egyptology, Ethnomusicology, Gender Studies, History, Humanistic Social Sciences, Islamic Studies, Literature, Music, Political Science, and Religious Studies.

  • U.S. citizens and foreign nationals at U.S. universities are eligible to apply.

The Application: It consists of the following components:

  • An online application form
  • A 1500 word research proposal that:

· Describes your intended research

· Describes your research methodology(ies)

· Demonstrates the need to consult sources in Egypt

· Explains the scholarly significance of your research and your qualifications to undertake the research

· Assesses the feasibility of completing your research within the proposed timeframe

· Describes the final publication format (dissertation, book, chapter, etc.) of your research

· Two recommendation letters for all applicants PLUS one language proficiency recommendation letter for pre-doctoral applicants

· Graduate and undergraduate transcripts for pre-doctoral applicants. Please remove all password protections from transcripts prior to submission.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Security Forms:

· Antiquities applicants:

  • Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities security form
  • Passport style photograph with white background
  •  One-page CV
  • 100–200-words Arabic abstract describing the proposed research (uploaded as a PDF document). Keep the language simple and do not use academic jargon.

Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) – All other applicants:

  • Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) security form (Arabic)
  • Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) application form (English)
  • 100–200-words Arabic abstract describing the proposed research (uploaded as a PDF document). Keep the language simple and do not use academic jargon.

Important Note: All scholars conducting research with ARCE’s administrative, or financial support require security clearance from the Egyptian government. If your research relies on interviews, public observation, questionnaires, participant observation, visual anthropology, or attending public events or if your research focuses on the military, religious movements, civilian-military relations, or politics in the current century it is unlikely you will gain clearance. Applicants should consult the Cairo office prior to completing your application if any of those scenarios applies to you.

Application Submission Deadline: January 5th, 2025, 11:59 PM EST.