ANN ARBOR—The U.S. Department of Education has awarded more than $7.7 million in four-year grants to the University of Michigan International Institute area studies units.

The awards were made following competitive peer review of proposals submitted to the Department of Education’s National Resource Centers and Foreign Languages and Area Studies Title VI Programs.

The NRC Program provides grants to higher education institutions for area studies centers that serve as national resources for research, training and outreach related to specific world regions. The FLAS Program provides grants for graduate-level academic year and summer fellowships to support foreign language and area studies training.

Both programs serve as anchors for extended and enduring regional studies across disciplines at U-M and other selected U.S. universities. The awards for the International Institute include:

East Asia units: Center for Chinese Studies, Center for Japanese Studies and Korean Studies Program received an NRC award for $234,600 for 2006-2007. The project director is history professor James Lee.

Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program received an NRC award for $220,896 and an FLAS award of $167,500 for 2006-2007. The project director is history professor Sueann Caulfield.

Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies was awarded $242,513 in NRC grants and $248,500 in FLAS funding for 2006-2007. The center is directed by Marcia Inhorn, professor of health behavior and health education, women’s studies and anthropology.

Center for Russian and East European Studies received an NRC award of $231,494 and an FLAS award of $221,500. The center is directed by Michael D. Kennedy, professor of sociology.

Center for South Asian Studies was awarded $154,500 in FLAS funding. The center is directed by history professor Barbara Metcalf.

Center for Southeast Asian Studies was awarded $208,500 in FLAS funding. The center is directed by Linda Lim, professor of corporate strategy and international business.

The U-M International Institute is dedicated to research, education and service in international and area studies. The Institute sets priorities and creates opportunities for supporting faculty, student and public engagement with a diverse and inter-connected world. It promotes education in the world’s languages, societies and environments and organizes public programs on international issues. It supports collaborative projects with partners around the globe and helps recruit international faculty, visiting scholars and students to the University.

Related Links:

• More on the International Institute