National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

What National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations does

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental educational and research organization founded in 1983 and headquartered at 1730 M Street NW, Washington, D.C. Its mission is to improve American knowledge and understanding of the Arab region, the Middle East, and the Islamic world through leadership development, people-to-people exchanges, conferences, research, and publications. Core programs include the Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference (held annually since 1992), the Model Arab League youth leadership program (since 1983), the Washington D.C. Summer Internship Program, the Joseph J. Malone Fellowship (since 1984), Public Affairs Briefings, Study Abroad opportunities, and three specialized Area Studies Programs covering the GCC, the Levant/Middle East, and North Africa. The Council also publishes the Arabia, the Gulf, and the GCC Blog, research analyses, newsletters, and podcasts distributed via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and RSS.

The Council operates with a small professional staff of approximately 8–10 supported by a credentialed board and senior academic fellows that includes former ambassadors, retired U.S. Army senior officers, former U.S. State Department diplomats, and senior executives from energy majors. It does not have proprietary technology products and runs on standard web and email distribution platforms. Revenue is generated primarily through tax-deductible charitable contributions from philanthropists, individuals, and institutions in the United States and the Arab region; supplemented by conference ticket sales and sponsorships, modest program fees (e.g., a $25 internship application fee offset by a $1,000 fellowship stipend to participants), and publication/merchandise sales. The Council is governed by an independent Board of Directors, is not a membership organization, and operates a single Washington, D.C. office.

Name

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Legal name

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Website

https://ncusar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit founded in 1983 that improves American understanding of the Arab world through conferences, fellowships, internships, Model Arab League, area studies research, and publications. It serves students, policymakers, business leaders, and media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Educational and Policy Research Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAF)

Keywords

• Nonprofit educational services
• U.S.-Arab relations programs
• Policy conference services
• International affairs fellowships
• Area studies research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The council relies primarily on tax-deductible charitable contributions from philanthropists, individuals, and institutions in the United States and the Arab region. The organization has been granted 501(c)(3) public charity status, making all contributions tax-deductible.
2. Conference and Event Revenue: Revenue generated from the Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, including ticket sales, sponsorship fees, and gala dinner proceeds. The conference features various sponsorship levels and ticket categories.
3. Program Fees: Modest program fees for specific programs including a $25 non-refundable application fee for the Summer Internship Program. Participants who complete requirements receive a $1,000 fellowship stipend.
4. Publication Sales and Merchandise: Revenue from publications including the Arabia, the Gulf, and the GCC blog content, newsletters, and research publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that delivers programs, conferences, fellowships, internships, area studies research, and publications aimed at improving American understanding of the Arab world. Its core offerings include the Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, the Model Arab League youth leadership program, the Joseph J. Malone Fellowship, the Washington D.C. Summer Internship Program, Public Affairs Briefings, Study Abroad Opportunities in Arab countries, and three Area Studies research programs covering the GCC, Levant/Middle East, and North Africa.

Product overview

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations operates as a unified educational platform offering multiple interconnected programs and publications. Its core programs include the Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference (since 1992), the Youth Leadership Development Program/Model Arab League (since 1983), the Washington DC Summer Internship Program, the Joseph J. Malone Fellowship (since 1984), Public Affairs Briefings, and Study Abroad Opportunities. The Council also runs three specialized Area Studies Programs covering GCC, Levant/Middle East, and North Africa regions. Supporting these programs are publications including the Arabia the Gulf and GCC Blog, Research Analysis & Assessments series, and newsletters/podcasts. All offerings are unified by the organization's mission to improve American understanding of the Arab world through educational programming, leadership development, and scholarly research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference Flagship annual conference held since 1992 that gathers nationally and internationally renowned specialists for analysis, discussion, and debate on issues critical to Arab-U.S. relations, featuring Arab and American leaders from government, military, business, and academia.
• Youth Leadership Development Program / Model Arab League Established in 1983, simulates a League of Arab States summit, allowing students to hone diplomatic skills including debate, coalition-building, and parliamentary procedure while learning about Arab world policies.
• Washington D.C. Summer Internship Program An eight-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship in Washington, D.C., placing undergraduate and graduate students with Near East-related organizations and featuring professional work experience, academic seminars, and site visits to government institutions.
• Joseph J. Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies Established in 1984, this fellowship provides American professionals from academia, government, media, and military with immersive experiences and briefings to research and understand Arab-U.S. relations.
• Public Affairs Briefings Year-round educational programs held in Washington, D.C. and online, featuring domestic and international specialists who analyze and debate issues important to U.S.-Arab relations, the Middle East, and the Islamic world.
• Study Abroad Opportunities Arabic language and area studies programs in Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman, plus ten-day to two-week study visits to select Arab countries for American students.
• GCC Area Studies Program Area research program covering the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Levant and Middle East Area Studies Program Interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing understanding of U.S. policy toward the Levant and broader Middle East, including Iraq and the Gulf.
• North Africa Area Studies Program Program enhancing and developing existing National Council programs focused on North Africa, featuring new scholarly endeavors and research initiatives.
• Research, Analysis & Assessments Scholarly publications, analyses, and policy assessments on U.S.-Arab relations and Middle Eastern affairs, authored by Council fellows and staff.
• Arabia, the Gulf, and the GCC Blog Regular blog featuring insights, research, analyses, and assessments on Arab-U.S. relations and Gulf region affairs.
• National Council Publications & Newsletters Newsletter library and podcasts documenting National Council programs and events, providing ongoing educational content on Arab-U.S. relations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Model Arab League program has been educating students since 1983
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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.

• Reach the WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and Reach the World (RTW) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their collaboration. Reach the World is an organization that makes global experiences accessible to students, helping them explore the world and connect with global professionals. This partnership enhances the Council's educational mission by expanding opportunities for student engagement with Arab-U.S. relations topics.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AMIDEAST: AMIDEAST is a U.S.-headquartered nonprofit operating educational, training, and exchange programs across the MENA region, including study abroad, internships, and professional fellowships — directly comparable to NCUSAR's internship and study abroad offerings targeting American students and professionals interested in the Arab world.
• Middle East Institute: Founded in 1946 and based in Washington DC, MEI is a non-profit dedicated to increasing knowledge of the Middle East among Americans through policy research, convenings, cultural programs, and language education — sharing NCUSAR's educational mission on U.S.-Arab/MENA understanding.
• The Washington Institute for Near East Policy: A Washington DC-based think tank focused exclusively on Middle East policy, conducting policy research, scholar programs, and convenings targeting policymakers, media, and the public — comparable to NCUSAR's policy research and conference-driven engagement on U.S.-Arab affairs.
• Arab American Institute: A Washington DC-based non-profit advocacy and educational organization serving as the political and policy voice of Arab Americans, conducting policy research, leadership programs, and civic engagement — closely paralleling NCUSAR's role in promoting U.S.-Arab understanding through research and convening.
• Foundation for Middle East Peace: A Washington DC-based non-profit that promotes a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through policy analysis, publications, and educational outreach — comparable to NCUSAR as a small, specialized U.S.-focused organization promoting understanding of Arab-Israeli issues.

Broad incumbents

• Atlantic Council: A major Washington DC-based foreign policy think tank with a dedicated Middle East programs division conducting policy research, high-level convenings, and programs — overlapping with NCUSAR's policy and convening functions but operating at significantly larger scale across global regions.
• Brookings Center for Middle East Policy: Part of the Brookings Institution, this center conducts policy research and convenings on the Middle East and U.S. policy toward the region — comparable to NCUSAR's area studies and policy analysis mission but operating as a much larger, broader incumbent institution.
• International Crisis Group: A global conflict-prevention organization with dedicated MENA programs and country directors — directly connected to NCUSAR through former staff (William Lawrence was North Africa director for ICG). Conducts field-based research and policy analysis paralleling NCUSAR's area studies work.

Emerging players

• Search for Common Ground: An international conflict-resolution NGO operating across the MENA region with programs in peacebuilding, education, and media — sharing NCUSAR's people-to-people engagement and educational mission, but focused on grassroots conflict transformation rather than policy dialogue.
• Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (Georgetown University): An academic center at Georgetown University offering graduate-level education, research, and outreach on the Arab world — sharing NCUSAR's educational mission on Arab affairs but operating as a university-based institution with degree programs and research faculty.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NCUSAR
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/NcusarOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ncusar
• Instagraminstagram.com/ncusar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-council-on-u-s-arab-relations

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations