Solidarity Fund

As a Society, BRISMES is dedicated to encouraging and promoting the scholarly study of the Middle East and North Africa. The BRISMES Solidarity Fund was established in 2020 to help ensure that participation in this scholarly exchange is open to as wide and diverse a group of researchers as possible.   

The Fund reflects BRISMES’s commitment to inclusivity and to supporting the work of scholars from the Global South as well as early career and doctoral researchers whose work is vital to the field of Middle East Studies and its future. By reducing financial barriers to participation, the Solidarity Fund strengthens our collective ability to discuss and share knowledge about the region.   

The Solidarity Fund is supported by donations and BRISMES’s own contribution. The latter totals 25 per cent of all income from conference registration fees. While resources are limited, we seek to allocate funds in a way that is both fair and aligned with BRISMES’s aims of fostering collaboration and scholarly exchange.   

Eligibility and Priorities

The Fund is open to BRISMES members attending the annual conference in person and who fall into one of the following priority categories:   

• Early-career scholars (students or those within 5 years of their PhDs); 
• Scholars in precarious employment; and 
• Members based in the Middle East and North Africa without institutional funding.   

You must have a paper accepted at the conference in order to apply for the fund. Please note that we will prioritize applicants who are attending the conference for the first time and those who haven’t received funds in 2025.  

If you've received an acceptance email for the 2026 BRISMES Conference, please submit your bursary application here.

The deadline to submit an application is 25 February 2026 at midnight. 

Allocation Process 

From 2026 onwards, allocation will proceed in two stages:  

1. Priority check: All applications will be assessed by the Solidarity Fund Committee to determine whether they fall into at least one of the priority categories listed above.  
2. Random allocation: Where the number of priority applications exceeds available funds, bursaries will be allocated randomly among eligible applicants.  

This approach ensures that funds are directed towards those most in need while also reducing bias and promoting fairness among equally eligible applicants. We regret that not all applicants can be funded.  

Bursary amounts   

• £200 for applicants based in the UK and Republic of Ireland;   
• £400 for applicants based outside the UK and Republic of Ireland.   

Successful applicants will also have their conference registration fees waived. Bursaries can be used to cover conference-related expenses, including travel, visa, and accommodation costs. To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit receipts for these expenses, up to the maximum value of the bursary. Please note that it will not be possible to issue reimbursement before the conference takes place. 

How do the bursaries work? 

Applicants who have been accepted to the conference must complete the online Solidarity Fund Bursary application form. The application requires you to provide key personal, institutional, and eligibility information, as well as short written statements outlining your circumstances and the benefits of attending the conference. 

Before starting the application, please ensure you have the following details ready: 

• Your name, email address, and institutional affiliation (where applicable) 
• Confirmation of your current BRISMES membership status (you do not need to be a member of BRISMES to submit an application, but you must be a member of BRISMES to receive the bursary) 
• An indication of whether this is your first time attending the conference 
• Information on your career stage, employment status, and geographical base, including whether you fall within any of the priority categories 
• A brief explanation of how attending the conference will support your research and professional networks 
• A short statement outlining why you are unable to access alternative sources of funding 

Please note that demand for bursaries significantly exceeds the funds available, and it is unfortunately unlikely that we will be able to fund all applications received.   

How to claim your bursary expenses 

Bursary holders are required to pay their own costs upfront and reclaim eligible expenses after the conference has taken place. When registering for the conference, please select the bursary ticket option and submit an expenses claim following the event. 

To make a claim, please complete and sign the expenses claim form and email it to the BRISMES Office (office@brismes.org) together with copies of your receipts. Scanned or photographed receipts are acceptable, provided they are clear and legible. Please ensure your bank details are accurate, as BRISMES cannot be responsible for delays or losses caused by incorrect information. 

All claims must be supported by valid receipts showing the items purchased, the amount paid, and VAT details where applicable. Online receipts should be issued in the claimant’s name. Expenses must meet HMRC criteria and relate solely to legitimate BRISMES activities. 

Claims should be submitted as soon as possible after the conference and no later than one month after the event. Claims received after this period may not be reimbursed. Receipts may only be used once; submitting the same receipt for multiple claims will result in the withdrawal of funding. 

Funding is limited to visa fees, travel and accommodation costs only. Claims for mileage, parking, or other incidental expenses will not normally be accepted unless prior approval has been given. Where public transport is paid for using Oyster or contactless methods, a transaction record identifying the relevant journeys must be provided. Lump-sum top-ups cannot be reimbursed. Claimants are expected to book standard class travel and choose the most economical options available. 

Payments are made by bank transfer. Any fees associated with international transfers will be deducted from the bursary amount. BRISMES does not cover costs incurred by third parties, including accompanying family members or friends. If you wish to discuss receiving payment via PayPal, please contact the BRISMES Office at office@brismes.org. 

Please send any enquiries about the Solidarity Fund to conference@brismes.org