Council of American Overseas Research Centers

The Council of American Overseas Research Centers is a nonprofit consortium of independent overseas research centers which promotes scholarship, education, and mutual understanding between the US and other countries (www.caorc.org). The overseas research centers maintain a permanent presence in the host countries where they operate—in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and West Africa. The centers are the primary vehicle through which American scholars carry out research vital to our understanding of and intersection with other cultures.

We are a small team based in Washington DC that works with an extended network of colleagues overseas to implement a range of program activities including fellowships, exchange programs, and collaborative projects, with new programs being developed. Our work culture is collegial, diplomatic, and supportive. We believe in the importance of hard work and dedication as we seek to achieve our goals. 

Founded in 1981, CAORC's mission is to advance higher learning and international scholarly research, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, by promoting communication and cooperation among scholars, academic institutions, and overseas research centers, with a focus on the understanding and interpretation of modern societies and the conservation and recording of cultural heritage. CAORC fosters research projects across national boundaries, encourages collaborative research and programmatic and administrative coherence among member centers, and works to expand their resource base and service capacity.