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The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) is a network of American overseas research centers (ORCs) dedicated to assisting American scholars conducting research on critical issues of U.S. national importance in 29 countries around the world. CAORC's member centers maintain a permanent on-the-ground presence in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America - regions where understanding local histories, cultures, and economies is vital to informed policymaking and global leadership.

 

CAORC provides logistical, in-country support for American scholars and students through a wide range of programs and services, offering invaluable research and teaching resources. By equipping American scholars with the tools to engage with other societies, CAORC...

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  • strengthens national security through cultural intelligence and diplomacy,

  • builds U.S. economic prosperity by expanding global partnerships, and

  • reinforces American leadership in education and innovation.

 

CAORC deepens U.S. expertise in regions critical to national security and economic stability. By facilitating knowledge exchange and strengthening a globally aware American workforce, CAORC ensures that America remains safer, stronger, and more prosperous in an increasingly interconnected world.​

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Founded in 1981, CAORC launched full-time operations in 1986 with grants from the Andrew W. Mellon, Rockefeller, and Exxon Foundations and the J.P. Getty Trust. CAORC is funded in part by the following public and private institutions:

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  • U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

  • Smithsonian Institution

  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

  • Carnegie Corporation of New York

  • J.M. Kaplan Fund

  • Library of Congress

THE AMERICAN OVERSEAS RESEARCH CENTERS (ORCs)...

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  • maintain a permanent on-the-ground presence in strategic areas of U.S. national security interests;

  • provide essential support for American scholars and students from U.S. universities and colleges, including community colleges, conducting research on critical issues of U.S. national importance;

  • provide assistance to numerous other programs such as Fulbright, Boren, and other federal and non-federal programs in challenging locations overseas; 

  • are cost-effective, with no indirect cost rate and low very administrative expenses.

Video: An Introduction to CAORC

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