Frequently Asked Questions

The MEA Institute for Strategic Studies (MEA-ISS) is an independent, youth-led think tank headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. We produce rigorous policy research on the Middle East and Africa, bridging scholarship and policy for decision-makers worldwide.

Founded in 2024 under the leadership of Boukhezer Abdel-illah, the MEA Institute brings together a new generation of researchers and policy professionals united by a shared commitment: producing independent, high-quality analysis on the Middle East and Africa.

No. The MEA Institute is fully independent and non-partisan. We do not accept funding or direction that compromises the integrity of our research. Our findings are never for sale.

We are organised around six thematic policy centres and two regional programmes (Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa). Our team operates remotely across multiple continents, with administrative headquarters in Geneva.

Our leadership, researchers, and analysts are predominantly young professionals under 35. We believe the next generation of policy thinkers should lead, not follow — and we have built an institution that reflects that conviction.

We publish policy briefs, research reports, issue briefs, commentaries, and our flagship periodic assessment series. All publications undergo editorial review and are freely accessible on our website.

Yes. All MEA Institute publications are freely available on our website. We believe in open access to policy research.

Absolutely. We encourage citation of our work. Please follow standard academic citation practices and attribute the publication to the named author(s) and the MEA Institute for Strategic Studies.

We welcome research collaborations with academics, institutions, and practitioners. Please contact us at contact@meainstitute.org with your proposal, including a brief description of the project, timeline, and expected outputs.

We organise roundtables, webinars, panel discussions, and closed-door policy dialogues. Events convene policymakers, scholars, practitioners, and civil society representatives to discuss pressing issues facing the Middle East and Africa.

Upcoming events are listed on our Events & Media page. Registration links are provided for each event. Some events are by invitation only — check the event details for eligibility.

We welcome suggestions. Please write to contact@meainstitute.org with your proposal, and our events team will review it.

You can make a one-time donation, become a monthly sustaining supporter, or explore institutional partnership options. Visit our Donate page or contact contact@meainstitute.org for details.

Donations directly fund our research output, including publications, policy briefs, and events. They also support researcher stipends, editorial operations, and platform development.

Yes. You can specify a policy centre or programme when making your donation. Contact us to discuss directed giving options.

We work with foundations, governments, multilateral organisations, and private sector partners on sponsored research, joint events, and programme-specific initiatives. Contact partnerships@meainstitute.org to explore options.

Open positions are posted on our Careers page. We recruit researchers, analysts, fellows, and operational staff on a rolling basis. You can also send a spontaneous application to careers@meainstitute.org.

Yes. We offer research internships and fellowships throughout the year. These are posted on our Careers page when available. Internships are typically remote-first and open to candidates worldwide.

Yes. We are a remote-first, distributed team. Our researchers work from across multiple continents, with administrative coordination based in Geneva.

We look for strong analytical and writing skills, subject-matter expertise in Middle East or Africa policy, and a commitment to rigorous, independent research. Academic background varies — we value demonstrated competence over credentials alone.