Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs

What Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs does

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) is a non-profit policy research institute operating as an outreach unit within the American University of Beirut (AUB), a private, non-profit teaching-centered research university founded in 1866. Established in 2006, IFI functions under AUB's Outreach section within Community Engagement and is staffed by approximately 27 personnel. Its mandate is public policy and international affairs research focused on the Middle East and North Africa region, serving three primary constituencies: AUB students, academic and policy researchers, and government policymakers and officials.

IFI's core activities center on policy research, evidence-based policy recommendations, knowledge exchange between academia and government, and educational programs in public policy and international affairs. Distribution occurs through AUB's campus-based programs (lectures, seminars, workshops on the Beirut campus), online platforms (AUB Online and digital learning infrastructure), and research publications disseminated through academic channels. The institute does not disclose proprietary technology, products, or service pricing; its operations are funded through AUB institutional resources, research grants, and donor contributions. Specific financial figures, funding sources, and a dedicated management roster are not publicly disclosed, and IFI has no documented funding rounds, acquisitions, or independent commercial revenue streams.

Name

Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs

Legal name

Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs

Website

https://website.aub.edu.lb

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) is a non-profit policy research institute within the American University of Beirut, serving AUB students, researchers, and MENA government policymakers with policy analysis, workshops, and educational programs in public policy and international affairs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Education

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Public policy research
• International affairs
• MENA policy analysis
• Academic research institute
• Governance studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Beirut

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. University Funding and Grants: The institute operates as part of AUB, which is a teaching-centered research university. Funding comes from university resources, research grants, and donor contributions. The institute's operations are supported through AUB's institutional funding mechanisms and external partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs is a non-profit policy research institute affiliated with the American University of Beirut. It conducts interdisciplinary policy research on public policy and international affairs, hosts workshops, conferences, and academic programs, and serves as a knowledge exchange platform connecting researchers, students, and policymakers in the MENA region. The institute operates as an outreach unit within AUB's Community Engagement framework.

Product overview

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs is a policy research institute at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Based on the available source material, the institute functions as part of AUB's community engagement and outreach initiatives. No detailed product or service portfolio information is available in the scraped content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Research and Analysis Interdisciplinary policy research and analytical publications on public policy, international affairs, and regional studies, conducted for and disseminated to academics, policymakers, and the public.
• Academic and Educational Programs Educational programming in public policy and international affairs offered to AUB students and researchers through academic programs, workshops, and seminars.
• Conferences, Workshops, and Policy Events Organized policy conferences, workshops, and seminars targeting students, researchers, and government officials to facilitate knowledge exchange on public policy and international affairs.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• American University of Beirut (AUB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Issam Fares Institute is an integral part of AUB's institutional structure, operating within the university's Outreach section under Community Engagement. The institute benefits from AUB's academic resources, faculty expertise, administrative support, and infrastructure. This relationship provides institutional credibility, access to research facilities, and integration with AUB's broader educational mission.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Arab Reform Initiative: Independent MENA-focused policy research network producing analysis on governance, political reform, and social policy. Closely comparable in geographic focus, policy-research style, and convening of regional researchers.
• Carnegie Middle East Center: Beirut-based branch of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that produces independent policy research on MENA security, governance, and economics. Directly comparable to IFI in geography, subject matter, and policy-research model.
• Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at AUB: AUB institute focused on civil society, citizenship, and governance research in the Arab region. Directly comparable as a sibling outreach institute within AUB working on public policy and governance themes.
• Knowledge to Policy Center (K2P) at AUB: Beirut-based policy research center at AUB focused on health systems and evidence-based policymaking. Directly comparable as a sibling AUB institute conducting policy research and engaging Lebanese and regional policymakers.

Broad incumbents

• International Crisis Group: Global conflict-prevention think tank producing policy analysis on MENA states including Lebanon. Comparable in producing field-based policy research and recommendations for international policymakers, with broader geographic reach.
• Middle East Institute: Washington-based think tank dedicated to Middle East policy research and education. Comparable in international affairs and policy-research mandate, with a stronger U.S. policy-advocacy orientation.
• Chatham House: London-based international affairs institute with a MENA research program covering governance, energy, and geopolitics. Comparable in international affairs policy research and convening function, though it operates at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Brookings Institution: U.S.-based public policy research organization with a MENA program and a Center for Middle East Policy. Comparable as a multidisciplinary research and convening institution, though operating at much greater scale and broader thematic scope.

Emerging players

• Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies: European political foundation producing international policy research and convening. Tangentially comparable as a policy-research organization with international affairs focus, though with a European political orientation rather than MENA focus.

Regional players

• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Berlin-based foreign policy think tank producing research on MENA, security, and international affairs. Comparable in international affairs research and policy-advisory mandate, though primarily serving German and European policy audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/issam-fares-institute-for-public-policy-and-international-affairs-ifi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs