Institute of International Relations - ΙΔΙΣ

What Institute of International Relations - ΙΔΙΣ does

Founded in 1989 and affiliated with Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, the Institute of International Relations (IDIS) is a non-profit academic research institute headquartered in Athens, Greece. The institute is staffed by 78 employees and is organized around distinct research programs covering topics including international politics, security and strategic studies, Greek foreign policy, Turkey, the European Union, the United States, Russia and Eurasia, the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe (via CERESE), Asia (via the IDIS China Program), and the Mediterranean. Output formats take the form of working papers and publications (including the Bibliothiki IDIS series), a recurring event calendar (Athens Security Forum, Thucydides Summer Seminar, Olympia Summer Academy, European Dialogues), and training programs such as the Defense Studies seminars (sign-up fee of EUR 450 per program; EUR 200 for PhD candidates and recent graduates).

IDIS's audience spans Greek government and defense stakeholders (notably the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, via the GEETHA cooperation framework), the Panteion University academic community, graduate students and early-career researchers, international academics and policy practitioners, and foreign policy professionals in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Balkan region. A formal internship pipeline structured around International Politics and American Politics is also exposed through the institute's site.

The institute's business model blends non-commercial academic support from its Panteion affiliation with monetized seminar fees, publication sales and distribution, event sponsorships, and project-based funding tied to specific institutional partners. Revenue and funding sources are not publicly disclosed. The 2024 cluster of MoUs — with Columbia University's SIPA/CGIT, IIAS (Leiden), and GEETHA — plus announced 2025 collaboration with College Year in Athens and 2026 programming with the French Institute of Greece, indicate an explicit strategy of layering international academic and government partners onto the core Athens-base model rather than pivoting to a commercial technology product.

Name

Institute of International Relations - ΙΔΙΣ

Legal name

Institute of International Relations - ΙΔΙΣ (Ινστιτούτο Διεθνών Σχέσεων)

Website

https://idis.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Institute of International Relations (IDIS) is a non-profit academic research institute, founded in 1989 and affiliated with Panteion University in Athens, that conducts policy research and delivers seminars on international politics, security, and regional studies for Greek government, academic, and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Research and Think Tank Services (International Relations)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), International Affairs (92812), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Graduate & Postgraduate Institutions (STEM/Defense Research) (EDAHAOAE)

Keywords

• International relations research
• Security studies seminars
• Academic think tank
• Geopolitical policy analysis
• East asia studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IDIS is a non-profit academic research institute and think tank that conducts thematic research in international relations across nine specialized programs and delivers professional education through recurring seminars, summer academies, and conferences. Its portfolio includes the Athens Security Forum, the IDIS China Program (Greece's first university program for contemporary China studies), the Bibliothiki IDIS monograph series, and tailored Defence Studies seminars for the Hellenic Armed Forces.

Product overview

The Institute of International Relations (ΙΔΙΣ - IDIS) is an academic research institute and think tank operating within Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. It offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services organized around three pillars: (1) Thematic Research Programs covering international politics, American politics, Euroatlantic relations, Russia/Eurasia, East Asia, European governance, security and defense, migration, and Mediterranean/Middle East studies; (2) Education and Training Programs including the Thucydides Summer Seminar, Olympia Summer Academy, American Studies Seminar, and a Defence Studies seminar series for the Hellenic Armed Forces; and (3) Publications and Events including the flagship Athens Security Forum (ASF), the IDIS China Program (Greece's first university program for contemporary China studies), the IDIS China Program Podcast, the Bibliothiki IDIS monograph series, and IDIS in the Media expert commentary. The Institute's activities are supported by international institutional partnerships including MoUs with Columbia University, the International Institute for Asian Studies (Netherlands), the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Athens Security Forum: Annual flagship event platform for dialogue on security issues in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• IDIS China Program
• Olympia Summer Academy (OSA)
• Thucydides Summer Seminar
• American Studies Seminar

Products and services

• Thucydides Summer Seminar on Geopolitics and Strategy Annual intensive paid summer seminar examining contemporary geopolitical and strategic issues, held in Hydra, Greece, and addressed to professionals, researchers, and policy-interested participants.
• Olympia Summer Academy (OSA) High-level summer courses in Politics and International Studies co-organized since 2002 with Navarino Network and the European International Studies Association, held in historically significant Greek locations and bringing together participants and faculty from over 30 countries.
• American Studies Seminar Annual seminar organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Greece and Deree-The American College of Greece, providing in-depth comparative analysis of American politics and society for Greek and international participants.
• Athens Security Forum (ASF) Annual flagship academic convening platform on security issues affecting Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean, delivered under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an audience of diplomats, security analysts, academics, and political decision-makers.
• IDIS China Program The first university program in Greece dedicated to the study of contemporary China, delivering dedicated research, teaching, lectures, and publication output on Chinese geopolitics, economics, and strategic developments as well as broader East Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan).
• Defence Studies Training Program Professional development seminar program for Hellenic Armed Forces personnel, delivered under IDIS's MoU with the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Hellenic Army General Staff, covering theory of war, strategic analysis, military history, US history, regional warfare, technology and warfare, and Greek military strategy.
• IDIS Library (Bibliothiki IDIS) Series of short monographs published in collaboration with Eurasia Books to advance the academic study of International Relations in Greece and raise public awareness of global affairs, complemented by additional IDIS-linked book and chapter output through major academic publishers.
• IDIS China Program Podcast Podcast series on contemporary China and East Asian geopolitics, produced by the IDIS China Program in collaboration with Athens Voice and presented by journalist Mariliza Anastasopoulou.
• IDIS Research Programs Thematic research programs covering international politics, American politics and Euroatlantic relations, Russia/Eurasia/South-Eastern Europe, East Asia, European governance, security and defense, migration and displacement, gnosiology of international relations, and Mediterranean/Middle East/Islamic studies, with research working paper outputs and mentoring of research interns.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• French Institute AthensminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026IDIS co-organizes the 'European Dialogues' Philosophy Festival 2026 with the French Institute Athens, contributing faculty members including Professor Marielena Koppa and others.
• Columbia University (Weatherhead East Asian Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2024Panteion University and Columbia University signed an MoU on May 24, 2024, to promote research in East Asian and Chinese Studies. The agreement establishes academic collaboration between Columbia's Weatherhead East Asian Institute (WEAI) and IDIS, including co-organization of teaching programs, seminars, joint research, public discussions, academic symposia, and hosting of visiting researchers. Professor Andrew Nathan conducted lectures at IDIS following the signing.
• International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), NetherlandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2024IDIS and IIAS signed an MoU on April 17, 2024, to foster academic exchange and cooperation for research and training. The agreement includes exchange of faculty and researchers, exchange of academic information and publications, and joint research activities including seminars, conferences, and symposia. The collaboration aims to promote research in East Asian and Chinese Studies.
• Hellenic National Defence General Staff (ΓΕΕΘΑ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2024IDIS and ΓΕΕΘΑ signed an MoU on January 10, 2024, establishing cooperation in organizing seminars, conferences, research activities, and specialized educational programs. The MoU enables Hellenic Armed Forces personnel to participate in a 'Defence Studies' seminar program covering Theory of War, Strategic Analysis of WWII, US History, Regional Warfare (1945-1991), Technology and Warfare, and Greek Military Strategy from the 19th to 21st century.
• Hellenic Army General StaffcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2023A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Hellenic Army General Staff and IDIS was signed in January 2023. The cooperation covers tailored educational seminars for the Hellenic Armed Forces in areas of common interest, with General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, present at the signing.
• CEMMIS (Centre for Mediterranean, Middle East and Islamic Studies), University of PeloponneseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIS collaborates with CEMMIS of the University of Peloponnese. CEMMIS is designed to form a Political Risk Evaluation Unit covering North Africa, Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, Persian Gulf, Horn of Africa, and the broader Muslim world. The collaboration supports research on political, economic, social, and cultural developments in these regions.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Greece and CyprusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIDIS collaborates with KAS on a scholarship program for postgraduate studies in public universities or research internships in Greece and Cyprus. The program awards 350€ per month for Athens, Thessaloniki, and Cyprus, and 300€ per month for the rest of Greece. Applications are submitted through IDIS, which facilitates the program for young scholars with outstanding academic performance.
• Olympia Summer Academy (OSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2002, OSA has offered high-level summer courses in Politics and International Studies. IDIS co-organizes OSA along with Navarino Network and the European International Studies Association. The academy is held in historically significant locations including Ancient Olympia, Nafplio, Athens, and Delphi, bringing together participants and faculty from over 30 countries.
• Panteion University - Department of International and European StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIS is the Institute of International Relations of Panteion University, operating within its Department of International and European Studies. All research programs, seminars, and activities are conducted in collaboration with university faculty and students.
• SpringerminorOthersIDIS researchers have published books and book chapters through Springer, including works on Non-State Actors and Foreign Policy, Common Security and Defence Policy, and other international relations topics.
• RoutledgeminorOthersIDIS researchers have published through Routledge, including 'The Greek Junta and the International System' (2020) and other academic works.
• Cambridge University PressminorOthersIDIS researcher S. Galani published 'Hostages and Human Rights' through Cambridge University Press in 2021.
• Oxford University PressminorOthersIDIS researchers contributed to 'The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism' published by Oxford University Press in 2019.
• Agenda PublishingminorOthersIDIS researchers published 'Belt and Road: The First Decade' (2022) through Agenda Publishing.
• Eurasia PublicationsminorOthersIDIS collaborates with Eurasia Books on its 'Bibliothiki IDIS' book series and has published 'The Transatlantic Partnership at a Crossroads' (2019) through this publisher.
• Navarino NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavarino Network co-organizes the Olympia Summer Academy with IDIS and other partners, contributing to high-level summer programs in politics and international studies.
• European International Studies Association (EISA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEISA co-organizes the Olympia Summer Academy with IDIS and Navarino Network, supporting academic exchange in international studies.
• U.S. Embassy in GreeceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe American Studies Seminar is organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Greece, which supports the annual seminar held since 1995.
• Deree - American College of GreeceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeree (American College of Greece) cooperates with IDIS on the annual American Studies Seminar, providing faculty and academic support.
• Hellenic National Defence CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIS cooperates with the Hellenic National Defence College (the highest Greek military school) to organize the Annual Conference on Greek Grand Strategy.
• Koç UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoç University (via Resat Bayer and Belgin San Akca) collaborates with IDIS in organizing the Annual Eurasian Peace Science Conference, bringing together peace science scholars from across Europe and beyond.
• College Year in Athens (CYA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCYA partnered with IDIS during Fall 2025 for a research cohort of eight undergraduate students from U.S. universities to examine international perceptions of the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Palestine crisis. This was the first formal collaboration between CYA and IDIS.
• Athens VoiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAthens Voice collaborates with IDIS China Program on podcast production. Journalist Mariliza Anastasopoulou presents and curates the IDIS China Program Podcast.
• European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDIS organized a webinar on energy security in the context of ECPR's series on Middle East policies and EU relations, focusing on geopolitical dimensions of energy security with speakers from Columbia University and Wageningen University.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Pan-European foreign-policy think tank with a wide EU policy and security remit. Comparable to IDIS on European-governance and Eastern Mediterranean research, with broader pan-EU office network and English-first media footprint.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based flagship international-affairs think tank. Comparable in mandate (research, convening, publication on IR and security) but operates at materially larger scale with global reach, English-language publishing, and a far broader donor base.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): Global think tank focused on defence and security studies. Directly comparable to IDIS's defence-studies, grand-strategy, and security-research programs but at much greater scale, with established publications (e.g., The Military Balance, Strategic Survey) and global convening power.
• Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) - German Institute for International and Security Affairs: Berlin-based German policy institute advising the Bundestag and federal government on international and security affairs. Comparable academic-policy research model with strong government mandate, though at much larger scale than IDIS.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with programmes on international affairs, security, and regional studies (including a Europe programme and Eurasia work that overlaps with IDIS's CERESE on Russia/Eurasia). Substantially larger than IDIS but a clear functional peer on international-relations research and convening.

Emerging players

• College Year in Athens (CYA): Athens-based study-abroad and academic program provider that partnered with IDIS in Fall 2025 for an undergraduate research cohort. Not a direct policy-research peer, but an adjacent academic-education operator sharing the Athens international-education ecosystem and the same inbound US-student pipeline.

Others

• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS): German political foundation active in international affairs and scholarship programmes, including the Greece-Cyprus scholarship programme that IDIS administers together with KAS. A funder/partner rather than direct competitor, but structurally comparable as a policy-research and education organization with international affairs focus.

Direct peers

• ELIAMEP - Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy: Athens-based Greek think tank focused on European and foreign policy. Most direct Greek peer to IDIS, operating in the same national market with overlapping IR, security, and European-governance research agendas and competing for the same Greek policy-maker and academic audience.

Regional players

• Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI): Stockholm-based Swedish foreign-policy institute affiliated with the academic community. Comparable non-profit research-and-convening model with a national-university affiliation similar to IDIS's Panteion link, but operating in a Nordic rather than Greek context.
• CIDOB - Barcelona Centre for International Affairs: Spanish think tank producing policy-relevant research on international affairs, Mediterranean issues, and security, with an academic-affiliated model and convening events similar to IDIS's Athens Security Forum and summer academies. Same tier of European mid-sized think tank, though based in Barcelona rather than Athens.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idis-ir

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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