Knowledge Hub
The Central Asia Collection at the Global Resources Center (GRC) is devoted to the research needs of those actively engaged in Central Asian Studies.
Institutions Working on Central Asia
Shanghai Institute for International Studies – SIIS is a government-affiliated think tank studying politics, economics, foreign policy, and international security which cooperates with research institutes and bolsters China’s international influence and soft power.
China Institute of International Studies – CIIS is the think tank of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs which studies issues of medium and long-term strategic significance including international politics and the world economy.
China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations – CICIR is a research and consultation institute for international strategic and security studies which covers all regions and major international issues.
Jawaharlal Nehru University – The foremost university in India and a world-renowned center for education and research.
Centre of Central Asian Studies – CCAS is based at the University of Kashmir and focuses their research on the rediscovery of Central Asian peoples and cultures as well as the connections between Kashmir and Central Asia.
Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses – MP-IDSA is a non-partisan institute dedicated to research and policy studies related to defense and security in order to promote national and international security through the sharing of information regarding defense and security issues.
Centre for Central Eurasian Studies – as a research center at the University of Mumbai, the Centre for Central Eurasian Studies is dedicated to studying the peripheral countries of Central Eurasia and their international significance. Their research covers topics such as economic and political changes, demographic situations, ethnic conflict, gender issues, human rights aspects, security and terrorism.
South Asia Analysis Group – a non-profit think tank designed to inform decision makers, strategic planners, academics, South Asian media, and the world on issues regarding Indian and International security.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies – MAKAIAS was created in a joint initiative with the Government of India. It is a body dedicated to the study of sociocultural, political and economic developments in Asia since the mid 19th century especially those linked to India and with an emphasis on the life and works Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies – IPCS is an independent and non-partisan think tank seeking to develop a new framework to South Asian peace and security by bringing policy research into scholarly and public contexts.
Institute for Conflict Management – a non-profit society committed to the evaluation and resolution of South Asian internal security problems. They conduct research on terrorism, low intensity warfare, sectarian and other conflict, developmental and economic policies in areas of widespread disorder and the effective civil administration of areas under threat of terrorism or other patterns of widespread strife.
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations – ICRIER is a non-profit, autonomous economy policy think tank which conducts research to inform Indian policy-makers and to improve India’s connection to the global economy. Their research topics include financial liberation/regulation, economic competition, multilateral trade and free trade agreements, urbanization, climate change, sustainable development, Asian economic integration, and entrepreneurship.
Center for Air Power Studies – CAPS is an autonomous research and analysis body focused on national security, defense, and aerospace issues including trends in air and space power.
Observer Research Foundation – ORF is a non-partisan and independent research body designed to inform Indian public policy to aid a prosperous country and bring Indian perspectives to global forums
Institute of Developing Economies – IDE studies economic, political, and social issues facing developing countries and regions including Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and Eastern Europe.
Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia – a research institute dedicated to understanding Asia’s relationship with the world by studying a wide variety of subjects such as politics, society, law, economics, religion, culture, anthropology, history, and the arts in regions of the world where Asian languages are spoken.
Slavic-Eurasian Research Center – SRC is a leading research body with a wide range of regional studies sections each with its own multidisciplinary approach. These sections study regions including Russia, Siberia, the Far East, Central Eurasia, and Eastern Europe.
The Japan Institute of International Affairs – JIIA is a foreign policy and security think tank which conducts foreign policy research and examines Japanese foreign policy in order to improve Japan’s favorability on the international stage and ensure that Japan’s foreign policy contributes to peace and prosperity.
Department of Russian Studies at Hanyang University – as part of the Hanyang University Graduate School the Department of Russian Studies seeks to cultivate knowledge about national economics, Russian polity, and Korean-Russian trade and investment.
Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies at Australian National University – CAIS is a research center dedicated to the study of the contemporary politics, economics, history, and culture of the Middle East and Central Asia as well as the role of Islam in the global order and regional languages such as Turkish and Arabic.
Lowy Institute – an Australian think tank with a focus on Asia-Pacific research on subjects ranging from foreign policy and defense to science and the arts.
Digital Silk Road – Digital Silk Road is a digital archives of cultural heritage created by the National Institute of Informatics in Japan. They work to preserve the vast number of ancient artifacts which can be used to understand cultures throughout history. By integrating the study of culture with information technology, they seek to carry these stories on for future generations.
Center for Russian and Central Studies at Fudan University – CRACAS is based at Fudan University’s Institute for International Studies and conducts research in a variety of subject areas including Russian/Eurasian politics, security, and diplomacy as well as China-Eurasian relations in diplomatic, economic, and cultural dimensions.
Center for Eurasian and Central Asian Studies – CECAS promotes research and public knowledge of Eurasia and Central Asia by supporting diverse academic understanding of economic, political, cultural, and historical dynamics of the region. Some of their major projects include research on migration, Islam, and diaspora studies.
Centre for Conflict & Peace Studies Afghanistan – CAPS is an advocacy and research body which focuses on civic engagement and research on state-building, governance, narcotics, conflict resolution and peace-building in order to support stable peace in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit -AREU is a research think tank which studies governance, political economy, social protection, gender issues, natural resource management, regional cooperation, law, and constitutional review in order to promote sound public policy in Afghanistan.
Opinion Research Center of Afghanistan – ORCA is a research center which conducts public opinion, market, and media research in Afghanistan.
Center for Economic and Social Development – CESD is a leading think tank in Azerbaijan which researches economic and social policy issues with the goal of positively impacting the policy-making process.
Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – SAM is a non-profit think tank funded by the government of Azerbaijan which conducts research and analysis on political, economic and security policy.
Caucasus Research Resource Center: Azerbaijan – CRRC collects and publishes data related to social, economic, and political trends in Azerbaijan as part of a regional effort to improve social science research and analysis in the South Caucasus.
Institute of Oriental Studies at the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences – a research institute which studies a wide range of subjects related to Azerbaijan including the politics, economics, culture, and diplomatic relations of Azerbaijan and other Eastern peoples as well as relations between Eastern and Western civilizations.
American Center for Mongolian Studies – ACMS is a non-profit organization supporting academic exchanges and projects throughout Mongolia and Inner Asia. They also have an extensive collection of Mongolian studies materials in English.
Independent Research Institute of Mongolia – IRIM is a leading organization which specializes in research and consulting as well as the promotion of independent research to raise awareness about the realities in Mongolia.
Mongolia International University – a private university in Mongolia dedicated to the education of the future leaders of Mongolia and Central Asia.
Institute of Mongolian Studies – IMS is a research center at the National University of Mongolia which works towards the university’s goal of producing research to help solve global challenges of the 21st century.
Institute for Political and International Studies – IPIS is a government affiliated research institute which works on projects relating to Iran’s foreign policy. They work with the other think tanks, intellectuals, and foreign policy practitioners at home and abroad.
Ravand Institute for Economic and International Studies – the first think tank of its kind in Iran, the Ravand Institute is a private, independent, and non-partisan organization which studies important policy issues in Iran and fosters debate on a range of economic and political subjects.
Center for Strategic Research – sanctioned by Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, CRS is a research institute which studies a variety of topics including socio-cultural issues, economics, foreign policy, and legal issues.
Center for Scientific Research and Middle East Strategic Studies – a research center which seeks in depth understanding of the Middle East with a focus on theoretical issues international relations and political science.
Iranian Diplomacy – A resource for newspapers, articles, and headlines regarding Iranian foreign and diplomatic affairs.
Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies – KAZISS is a leading analytical institute which researches socio-political processes in modern Kazakhstan, international relations, foreign policy, socio-economic processes, and sociology.
Sange Research Center – as one of the largest companies in Kazakhstan, Sange is comprised of professional researchers, analysists, and specialists. They collaborate with international organizations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations on projects in social and political spheres.
Institute of World Economics and Politics – IWEP conducts scientific research of international relations, the global economy, and security as well as the independence of the Kazakh state and the promotion of international peace and security.
Al-Farabi Carnegie Program on Central Asia – as part of the Changing Geopolitics of Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace the Al-Fabaria Program assesses the trajectory of Central Asia by studying foreign policy, geopolitics, and the consequences for U.S. interests.
Public Policy Research Center – PPRC is an independent and non-profit research institute based in Kazakhstan which identifies solutions to problems in economics, law, governance, private sector development, the environment.
Institute for Comparative Social Research Studies – CESSI is a research agency which provides survey data and analysis to domestic and international organizations in Russia and countries throughout Eurasia. They analyze social information including public opinion polls, social surveys, and marketing research.
Center for Military Strategic Research – this center works with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan to study and analyze military security and the state’s defense capabilities.
Pakistan Institute of International Affairs – PIIA is a non-profit and non-partisan think tank which studies international politics, economics, and jurisprudence with a special focus on foreign policy issues facing Pakistan.
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad – ISSI is a non-profit research body which studies issues concerning both peace and security in Pakistan, the region, and the world.
Islamabad Policy Research Institute – IPRI is an independent and non-partisan think tank which covers all dimensions of Pakistan’s national security research including international relations, peace, defense, security, and human security.
Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad – IPS is an autonomous civil society organization dedicated to the promotion of policy-oriented research and the discussion of domestic and international issues, and they seek to encourage good governance and transparency.
Area Study Center for Middle East and Arab Countries – based at the University of Balochistan, this regional studies centers seeks to create strong academic and diplomatic relations across the Middle East to help deal with the opportunities and challenges facing this strategically significant region.
American University of Central Asia – AUCA is an international university that practices the liberal arts tradition and seeks to educate the next leaders of Central Asia which can help make positive transformations in the region.
Central Asian Studies Institute – based at American University of Central Asia, CASI promotes the study of Central Asia across the world by conducting research on a wide variety of topics ranging from literature to the political economy of Central Asia.
University of Central Asia – UCA seeks to promote the development of mountain societies and has located their campuses in secondary cities and rural regions of Central Asia to facilitate intellectual and economic transformation in the region.
Russian International Affairs Council – RIAC is an academic and diplomatic think tank which works to find foreign policy and conflict solutions by collaborating with scholars, government bodies, businesses, and civil society organizations. They aim to promote strengthened peace and solidarity between peoples to prevent conflict.
Russian Institute for Strategic Studies – RISS provides Russian government departments and ministries with information, analysis, and recommendations regarding Russia’s relations with other countries as well as geopolitical, socioeconomic, and security strategies.
Institute of World Economy and International Relations – IMEMO has a mission of conductive comprehensive research of international processes, the market economy, and comparative political systems. They also study trends of globalization, emerging challenges to international security, and changes to economic and political systems.
Institute for International Studies – as a research branch of MGIMO University, IIS assists Russia’s foreign policy practitioners in making informed foreign policy decisions.
Institute for International Economic and Political Studies – IMEPI is a leading center for the research of post-Soviet era economic and political problems with a special focus on micro and macroeconomic analysis of Russia’s transition from a planned to a market economy.
Russian Center for Policy Studies – PIR Center is an independent nongovernmental research and consulting organization focused on international security as well as the control and nonproliferation of WMDs.
Carnegie Moscow Center – as one of the Global Centers of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Moscow Center publishes research on a wide variety of issues important to Russia, Eurasia, and Central Asia.
Center for the Study of Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Ural-Volga Region – CCACS is a subdivision of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. They study the culture, religion, society, demographics, and conflicts of Central Asia, especially Russian-speaking populations in the region.
Institute for Far Eastern Studies – IFES is a research institution within the Russian Academy of Sciences which conducts research on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean economics, politics, culture, history, and philosophy.
Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan – CRS is a research body that supports the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan by studying and analyzing issues approved Coordinating Council for Research in the Field of Natural, Technical, Medical, Human and Social Sciences of the Academy of Sciences
Zerkalo Center for Sociological Research – the Zerkalo Center conducts sociological and marketing research for governmental and international organizations, businesses and the media. In addition, they monitor the media, internet space, and public opinion.
Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research – SETA is a nonprofit research institute which provides policy makers with information on political, economic, and socio-cultural issues with an emphasis on the interdependence of the national, regional, and international dimensions of these issues.
Turkish Center for International Relations and Strategic Analysis – TURKSAM assesses Turkey’s national interests and seeks to help decision-makers understand Turkey’s position in a strategically vital region of the world among the ever shifting global environment.
Center for Eurasian Studies – AVIM is an independent research organization which studies the political affairs of Europe, the Balkans, the Wider Black Sea Region, the Caucus, and Central Asia all of which are strategically significant for Turkey.
Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies – TASAM is a think tank which conducts research on each region of the world with respect to Turkey’s strategic and security interests.
Marmara University Institute of Turkish Studies – a higher education institute which seeks to educate and research the history, culture, politics, economics, and demography of Turkey.
21st Century Turkey Institute – created under the Unity Foundation of Turkey, this research institute aggregates and disseminates information regarding Turkish society, religion, politics, culture and economics.
University of World Economy and Diplomacy – as created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UWED seeks to train and educate specialists of foreign policy and international economics.
Center for Geopolitical Research – A research center at the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University, CGI conducts research on geopolitics, international security, and the development of states in Eurasia.
Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies – a research institute which specializes in the collection and interpretation of oriental manuscripts. In recent years, they have expanded their projects to include the study of economics, politics, and culture of the Near and Middle East as well as this region’s relations with Central Asia.
Subregional Office for North and Central Asia | UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – This office seeks to assist the transitioning economies of North and Central Asia in creating sustainable economic growth, regional cooperation and social inclusion.
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program – The CAREC Program is a cooperative partnership between 11 countries in and around Central Asia which works to promote economic growth and development as well as reductions in poverty.
Aigine Cultural Research Center – CRC works to promote cultural legacy and diversity in Kyrgyzstan through applied research, education, and traditional wisdom.
Black Sea and Central Asian Countries Research Center – Middle East Technical University (METU) – KORA is a leading research institute specializing in the advanced interdisciplinary study of Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern and Central Europe.
Balkan, Eurasian, and Central European Studies – BECES is a graduate program at Charles University in Prague dedicated to the understanding of the East by studying the politics, economy, culture, and society of the region as well as the mastery of regional languages.
Danish Institute of International Studies – DIIS is a leading research institute specializing in foreign, security, and development for all the regions of the world.
Aleksanteri Institute – a unit of the University of Helsinki Faculty of Arts and one of the top Russian and East European studies institutes in the world, the Aleksanteri Institute promotes the multidisciplinary research of Russia and Eastern Europe in Finland.
Crisis Managament Initiative – CMI is an independent Finnish organization which works with parties involved in vital world conflicts in order to offer mediation solutions and prevent conflicts.
Department of Cultures – a disciplinary department of the University of Helsinki, the Department of Cultures comprises the teaching and research of the world’s cultures and regions.
Finnish Institute of International Affairs – founded by the Parliament of Finland, FIIA is an autonomous research body which provides information on the EU and international affairs and publishes the Finnish Journal of Foreign Affairs.
Center for the Study of the Russian World, the Caucasus and Central Europe – CEREC takes a historical approach to the study of Eastern Europe, the Caucus, and Central Asia with the collaborative effort of historians, geographers, political scientists, and sociologists.
Center for Turkish, Ottoman, Balkan, and Central Asia Studies – CETOBAC conducts multidisciplinary research on Turkey, the former Ottoman Empire, and Central Asia. They study the peoples of these areas as well as their political, economic, and cultural relations with surrounding peoples.
Iranian and Indian Worlds Research Unit – a research body dedicated to studying Iranian and Indian culture and its presence across the Near East, Central Asia, and Southern and Eastern Asia.
French Institute of International Relations – IFRI is a leading research institution in the field of international relations which seeks to promote stable international governance for the creation of an open and peaceful world while maintaining the understanding of each nations culture and interests. The Russia/NEI Center publishes research on Russia and New Independent States to inform foreign policy and understand its interaction with energy policy .
French Institute for Central Asian Studies – created under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IFEAC supports researchers studying Central Asia’s history, economy, geography, and society as well as its interactions with surrounding nations and regions.
The Research Centre of East European Studies – an independent research institute at the University of Bremen which studies the legacy of socialism and Soviet hegemony on the societies and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe
German Institute for International and Security Affairs – SWP provides German government bodies and relevant international organizations with research and recommendations on foreign policy and international security. The Eastern Europe and Eurasia Research Division studies political and social structures in foreign policy of the post-Soviet states such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the South Caucasus and Central Asia
Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology – as a leading research institute in social anthropology, the Max Planck Institute studies social change processes often with a focus on current topics of political debate.
German Council on Foreign Relations – DGAP seeks to promote German and European foreign policy that fosters peace, democracy, and the rule of law. The Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia Studies medium and long-term trends as well as current developments in foreign and domestic policy of target countries in these regions.
Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy – IFSH is a research institute based at the University of Hamburg which examines the conditions for peace in Germany and broader Europe as well as the challenges to this peace and the causes of conflict and escalation.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation – KAS is a political foundation aimed at the promotion of freedom, liberty, peace, and justice by acting as a think tank and consultancy agency, as well as a forum for intellectual debate about politics, economic, science, and society.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – FES is the oldest German political foundation and is part-affiliated working to promote social democracy and the values of freedom, justice, and solidarity.
German Institute of Global and Area Studies – GIGA is a leading regional studies center in Germany conducting research on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. They have programs dedicated to topics such as globalization, peace and security, foreign policy, and accountability.
Italian Society for Central Asian and Caucasian Studies – ASIAC works to coordinate research with universities and cultural organizations to support knowledge of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs -NUPI is a research center focused on issues relevant to Norwegian foreign policy including defense, global governance, climate, and the global economy.
Peace Research Institute Oslo – PRIO studies conflicts, crises, and social divisions as well as the conditions which create peaceful relations between states, groups, and people.
Center for Eastern Studies – OSW studies issues of relevance to the Republic of Poland including politics, society, and economics in Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Germany, the Baltic States
Casa Asia – a public consortium based in Spain which analyzes Asian affairs, presents exhibitions of Asian culture, and facilitates education of Asian language in order to promote a strong, understanding relationship between Spanish and Asian countries.
Europe-Central Asia Monitoring – EUCAM researches Europe-Central Asia relations, monitors the implementation of EU Strategy in Central Asia while studying and raising awareness of European presence in Central Asia.
Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies – IRES is a research institute based at Uppsala University which conducts studies on Russia and the former Soviet Union from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul – SRII seeks to promote the study of Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, and related regions by Swedish and Nordic scholars. Their research includes a variety of disciplines such as art, anthropology, modern history, linguistics and literature.
Institute for Security & Development Policy – ISDP is a non-partisan, non-profit research organization based in Stockholm. Their research in international affairs is centered on security, conflict, and development and their relation to each other. They also work to promote ethnic diversity, gender equality, and religious and political freedom.
Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics – SITE is a research and policy center based at the Stockholm School of Economics. Their research is focused on the transition and development of the Former Soviet Union and Central/Eastern Europe.
Center for Security Studies | ETH Zurich – CSS is center which provides research, education, and consultation on Swedish and international security policy in order to create a more peaceful world.
Association for Central Asian Civilizations & Silk Road Studies – ACANSRS is an organization of scholars which takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of Central Asia dating back to its antiquity.
International Institute for Strategic Studies – IISS is dedicated to shaping strategic agendas of governments, businesses, media, and experts across the globe by providing facts and analysis on issues of war, power, and rules. They pride themselves in having international composition, perspective and reach.
Exeter Central Asian Studies Network – ExCAS is a network based at University of Exeter which studies former Soviet Republics in Central Asia through a multidisciplinary lens.
Centre of Contemporary Central Asia & the Caucasus – CCCAC is made up of a team of scholars from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds studying the history, religion, language, and archaeology of Central Asia and the Caucasus as well as the problems of the post-Soviet transition in the region.
Cambridge Central Asia Forum – CCAF works to encourage inter-disciplinary study of Central Asia as well as establish strong academic relations between the UK and Central Asia.
School of International Relations at University of St. Andrews – a leading higher education institution in the United Kingdom specializing in the study of international relations with programs specifically dedicated to areas such as political theory, terrorism, foreign policy, and Central Asian studies.
Centre for Russian and East European Studies – CREES is based at the University of Birmingham and leads in research of Russian, Ukrainian, Caucasian, Central Asian and European history, politics, security, economics, society and culture.
Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre – based at St. Antony’s College, this research center leads in Russian and Eurasian area studies education and research. They work closely with scholars at Oxford University and the Oxford Society for the Caspian and Central Asia (TOSCCA).
Institute of Middle East, Central Asia, and Caucasus Studies – MECACS is based at the University of St. Andrews and conducts multidisciplinary academic research of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus and the historical, political, and cultural connections between these regions.
Central Asian Studies Unit at the Institute of Ismaili Studies – CAS produces scholarship on Central Asian Ismaili communities and their history, culture, faith, and traditions.
Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit – based in University of Cambridge’s Department of Social Anthropology, MIASU studies culture, language, heritage, literature, history and the environment of Mongolia and Inner Asia.
Centre for Russian, Central and East European Studies – based at the University of Glasgow, CRCEES combines research of the former Soviet Union by scholars of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities.
The Centre for Euro Asian Studies – based at the Henley Business School, CEAS researches the transitioning economies of post-Soviet Central/Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
European Commission – EU-Central Asia Partnership – The European Commission’s programs in Central Asia seek to create regional partnerships and cooperation. They cover issues including rule of law, trade, economic development, education, and environmental issues.
Regional Office for Central Asia, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights – ROCA works in collaboration with Central Asian countries with the goal of improving human rights, governmental capacities, civil society, and NGOs in the region.
Central Asia Institute For Strategic Studies – CAISS works to promote research, knowledge, and new perspectives on Central Asia by collaborating with scholars, experts, students, policymakers, and the public.
Anthropology of the Middle East and Central Eurasia -European Association of Social Anthropologists – AMCE is a network within EASA which brings together social anthropologists from Europe. AMCE works to promote the study of the Middle East and Central Eurasia especially with a focus on minority groups and religious themes.
The European Institute for Asia Studies – EIAS is a Brussels based think tank for the study of EU-Asian relations to promote understanding between the two regions and aid policymakers, civil society, and the private sector in strengthening connections to Asia.
Royal Society for Asian Affairs – RSAA supports and facilitates public events, research, and publications in order to enhance public knowledge of Asia.
Eurasian Insights: Strengthening Central Asian Studies in Europe Program – EISCAS is a higher education partnership through the Eurasmus+ Program of the European Union which seeks to create research resources and networks for academics studying Central Asian geopolitics, economics, security, society, and culture.
Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies – CERES is a research center within the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto which promotes the exchange of scholarship across the Atlantic. They conduct multidisciplinary research on the EU, former Soviet Union and Central/Eastern Europe.
Department of Political Science at Laval University – a center for research and education on contemporary political phenomena based in Quebec with an expanding network of scholarly connections and a growing plethora of research institutes.
The School of Russian and Asia Studies – SRAS creates educational and study abroad opportunities across Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia.
Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia – CREECA is a research center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison which supports research, education, and outreach in a variety of disciplines focused on Russia, Eastern/Central Europe, and Central Asia. They also host an intensive language program, Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI).
Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center – REEEC is an academic research center located within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois. They support undergraduate and postgraduate education and multidisciplinary research in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies.
The Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies – ISEEES is located within the University of California Berkley and comprises students and faculty who conduct research on the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Central Asian Studies at the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies (CREES) – located within CREES at the University of Michigan, the program of Central Asian Studies works with other departments and collaborates with the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) to promote studies in Central Asian history, politics, and languages.
Central and Southwest Asian Studies Center – based at the University of Montana this research center focuses on the history and geopolitics of Central and Southwest Asia with an emphasis on the region’s strategic importance and U.S. military involvement there.
Ellison Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies – REECAS is a leading research center based at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at University of Washington specializing in the study of post-communist sub regions as well as the impact of imperialism and communism.
Department of Near Eastern Studies – based at Princeton University, NES leads in the study of the medieval and premodern Near East as well as the contemporary Muslim world.
Program on Central Asia – a program under the Asia Pacific Center at UCLA, PoCA promotes an interdisciplinary and interregional study of Central and the surrounding regions.
Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies – an interdisciplinary research center at NYU which studies Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa with a focus on the histories, politics, economies, religions, cultures and languages of each region.
Central Asia and Caucasus Seminar Program – a public seminar series facilitated by Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies which is focused on the former Soviet Central Asian and Caucasus regions. The seminars cover topics including politics, culture, and history.
Department of Central Eurasian Studies – a leading center for expertise on Central Eurasia based at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Their academic program is based on language proficiency, a deep understanding of Central Eurasian culture, and a multidisciplinary study of the region.
The Harriman Institute of Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies – based at Columbia University, the Harriman Institute is a leading academic center in Russian and Eurasian studies with notable faculty with backgrounds in public policy, law, diplomacy, business and the arts.
The RAND Center for Russia and Eurasia – CRE is a made up of scholars with expertise in regional, economic, security, and educational phenomena in the countries which succeeded the Soviet Union.
The Asia Foundation – a nonprofit which promotes five goals for Asia: strengthening governance, empowering women, expanding economic opportunities, increasing economic resilience, and promoting international cooperation.
Eurasia Foundation – seeks to equip and engage citizens to build more resilient communities through programs on entrepreneurship, governance, and empowerment of different populations.
Open Society Foundation – a philanthropic organization founded by George Soros, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.
The Jamestown Foundation – seeks to provide information to policy makers on strategically significant regions where countries often restrict access to information. Using local and primary sources, they provide unfiltered and politically unbiased information on developments in regions like Central Asia.
Russia and Eurasia Program – based at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this program recognizes the growing strategic importance of Central Asia to powerful countries like the U.S., Russia, and China.
Europe and Eurasia Program – based at the Council of Foreign Relations, this program covers politics, defense, economics, human rights, and environmental issues in Europe and Eurasia.
The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs – A non-profit organization promoting the academic exchange of research regarding politics, economics, society and culture in Central Asia
The World Bank Group in Central Asia – the World Bank has worked in Central Asia for more than 20 years to promote increased living standards, economic development, sustainable practices and social development.
Central Asia Regional | U.S. Agency for International Development – USAID/Central Asia works to promote U.S. grand strategy in Central Asia as well as the freedom and prosperity of Central Asian countries. A main goal is the strengthening of Central Asian sovereignty to give individual nations the power to make their own political, economic, and security decisions. In addition, they seek to promote Central Asian integration into global markets and democracy, rule of law, and human rights in the region.
South and Central Asia | Global Engagement at Georgetown University – With a number of centers, institutes and research programs focused on South and Central Asia, Georgetown offers a wide variety of educational programs, regional partnerships, and platforms for regional dialogue.
Chatham House | Central Asia – Chatham house is a policy institute whose goal is the promotion of a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world. Their work on Central Asia investigates domestic affairs as well as the region’s relationships with China.
Center for Afghanistan Studies – Based at the University of Nebraska, Omaha this center has been a partner of Afghanistan by providing resources for students, teachers and journalists in the country and by advising U.S. officials on Afghanistan. They seek to protect Afghanistan’s heritage while contributing to the development of the country’s economy and civil society.
American Institute of Afghanistan Studies – AIAS is a scholarly institute which works to create strong ties between scholars in the United States and Afghanistan as well as enhance public knowledge of Afghanistan through the publication of research and dissemination of information.
Turkic and Central Eurasian Studies Program – TCESP is based at the University of Washington and is a leading Eurasian studies program. Their program is based around learning regional languages including Kazak, Uzbek, and others which is combined with the studies of culture, history, and literature.
Center for Asian Studies – CAS is based at the University of Colorado Boulder. They recognize Asia as a geographically and historically significant region and therefore promote learning about and creating respectful engagement with the region.
Center for East European and Russian/Eurasian Studies – CEERES is comprised of University of Chicago faculty and students specializing in a variety of disciplines such as history, political science, business, international relations, economics, sociology, and regional studies. They facilitate education and research programs on Eastern Europe, Russia, Eurasia, Central Asia, Caucasus, and the Balkans.
InterAsia Program – The InterAsia Program was established by the Social Science Research Council in order to reconceptualize Asia as a dynamic and interconnected region which is defined by more than geographical territory. They support thematic understanding of the Asia’s history, religions, migration, security and experiences with globalization.
Center for the Study of Asia – Based at Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies, the Center for the Study of Asia promotes multidisciplinary education and research on Asia. They seek to provide innovative social science research of Asia which contributes to a network of universities, museums, nonprofits, and government agencies interested in Asia.
The Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute – CESSI is hosted by the Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is an 8-week summer program for intensive language learning of Kazakh, Tajik, Uyghur, and Uzbek as well as Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani on certain occasions.
Asian Studies Program – The Asian Studies Program at Bard College takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of Asia with a combination of intensive language learning and courses in a variety of fields including history, anthropology, politics, economics, religion, and the arts. They encourage a comparative perspective of the region from within Asia and countries outside the region.
Program on Central Asia – A program at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies which promotes research and teaching on the history and current affairs of five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Their online resource hub, Caspiana, is designed to provide a variety of sources for students and scholars of Central Asia and the South Caucasus
The German Marshall Fund of the United States – GMF is a nonpartisan organization which promotes democracy, human rights and international cooperation and stresses the importance of a strong relationship between the United States and Europe. They drive the policy debate surrounding democracy, security, geopolitics, the rise of China, and technological innovation.
EastWest Institute – EWI is a nongovernmental organization which works in promoting conflict resolution and prevention as well as understanding and creating solutions to the world’s challenge.
International Crisis Group – an independent organization which works towards the goal of preventing deadly and costly conflicts and encouraging peaceful solutions in an increasingly conflicted world.
The Center European Policy Studies – CEPS is a leading European think tank specializing in research and debate on European Affairs in economics, climate, and foreign policy.
Atlantic Community – AC promotes the values of freedom, democracy and rule of law; they also seek to strengthen transatlantic relationships by encouraging civil society exchange and discourse about shared global challenges.
Central Eurasian Studies Society – CESS works to promote communication, scholarship, education, and public interest in Central Eurasia.
Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies – ASEEES is a scholarly society which supports research, education, and publication on Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, and Eastern Europe in regional and global contexts.
The International Studies Association – ISA brings together scholars, practitioners, private sector workers, and experts in the study of global affairs.
Association for the Study of Nationalities – ASN works to promote understanding of ethnicity, ethnic conflict, and nationalism in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Eurasia.
European Society for Central Asian Studies – founded by a group of European scholars working on Central Asia ESCAS is a biennial conference which works to maintain and develop European research on Central Asia.
Asia-Pacific Network (Le Réseau Asie) – A blog run by a self-proclaimed “French Dude in Asia”, this French explorer travels across Asia and shares his experiences as well as important knowledge about the countries of the region.
Middle East Studies Association – MESA is a nonprofit organization which facilitates scholarship, education, public knowledge, and intellectual discourse concerning the Middle East and the Arab World.
Resources by Country
Online resources for local news and currents events in Kazakhstan:
Zakon | Kazakhstan news for today, the latest world news, legislation
KazTAG | Kazakh Telegraph Agency
Tengrinews | Main News of Kazakhstan
ZONAKZ | Internet Newspaper Kazakhstan
Kursiv | The Latest News of Kazakhstan and the World for Today
Vlast Analytical Online | Latest News from Kazakhstan and Around the World
Online resources for local news and currents events in Kyrgyzstan:
Delo No. Weekly Newspaper | News from Kyrgyzstan
AKIPress | News from Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia
KirTAG | Kyrgyz Telegraph Agency
Gazeta.kg | Information Analytical Portal
Online resources for local news and currents events in Tajikistan:
Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty | Tajikistan
TojNews | News of Tajikistan Today
Millat | The Socioeconomic Newspaper of Tajikistan
Avesta News Agnecy | Tajikistan
Pressa Tajikistan | Ziyod Newspaper
Online resources for local news and currents events in Turkmenistan:
TürkmenHabar | Everyday News About Turkmenistan
Online resources for local news and currents events in Uzbekistan:
UzMetronom | Independent Internet Newspaper
Podrobno.uz News Agency | Uzbekistan News
UzDaily | Uzbekistan News – business, finance, markets, statistics
Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan
UzReport | News from Uzbekistan Today
Morning.uz | Uzbekistan News and Culture
Publika.uz | News from Uzbekistan and Around the World
Embassies in Washington D.C.
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA and Canada
Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United States of America
Embassy of Turkmenistan
Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States
Student Opportunities in Central Asia
Bard College in Bishkek – Bard-ACUA Study Abroad Program
The Bard-ACUA Study Abroad Program offers students interested in a variety of fields including anthropology, political science, Central Asian or Soviet Studies, and Russian or Central Asian languages an opportunity to study at an international university in the heart of Central Asia. ACUA is committed to a liberal arts tradition in order to train the next generation of leaders and usher in the democratic transformation of Central Asia.
This program offers access to internship opportunities at institutions which are members of the Academy’s network in Central Asia and Europe.
School of Russia and Asian Studies – Study, Research, and Customs Abroad
A team of experts which helps place students in study abroad and online programs to enhance their learning of a specific region or country and maintaining or strengthening their language skills.
American Councils – Eurasian Regional Language Program
ERLP gives opportunities for an immersive experience in nine Eurasian countries in order to provide intensive language learning and promote cultural understanding.
Kazakh National Pedagogical University Abai – International Programs
Abai KazNPU is part of multiple networks of international institutions and universities which provide exchange programs and international education opportunities for students.
Kimep University – International Office
KIMEP offers multiple programs for international students looking to study in Kazakhstan including Exchange programs, Dual Degree programs, and International Summer Schools. They offer almost 30 English-taught programs along with Russian and Kazakh language courses.
U.S. Department of State – USA Study Abroad
USA Study Abroad offers a range of resources for American students who wish to study abroad including country profiles and access to funded study abroad opportunities.
School for International Training – Mongolia and Siberia: Nomadism, Geopolitics, and the Environment
SIT is offering an opportunity for students to live and study in Mongolia in order to learn the language and discover the culture of this budding democracy strategically located between Russia and China. GWU students can apply for approval through GW Passport in addition to applying through SIT.