Our Mission, Institute of European Studies (IES)
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
The Institute of European Studies (IES) is the leading research center on Europe in the Western United States and among the top three such organizations in the nation. Through interdisciplinary research, international collaborations, grant opportunities and community outreach, IES fosters a deeper understanding of Europe’s past, present and future. IES leverages its strategic location in the San Francisco Bay Area to enable strong ties between UC Berkeley faculty and students with Europe at a critical time when the global order is shifting. Connecting Berkeley’s world-class researchers to a vibrant network of diplomats, policymakers, cultural organizations and business leaders, IES embodies Berkeley’s crucial role as a center of academic excellence and democratic debate.
IES’ mission is to
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initiate, support and disseminate leading research on contemporary and historical Europe, the European Union and transatlantic relations.
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support research in all disciplines conducted with an European partner
How?
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Manage 15 sub-centers and programs: Anglo-American Studies Program, BENELUX Program, Center for British Studies, Center for Portuguese Studies, Modern Greek and Hellenic Studies Program, Peder Sather Center, France-Berkeley Fund, Center of Excellence in French and Francophone Studies, Italian Studies Program, Irish Studies Program, Spanish Studies Program, Nordic Center, Austrian Studies Program, Center for German and European Studies, Jean Monnet Center of Excellence.
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Provide Faculty with seed funding for research that also fosters international collaboration.
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IES sub-center, the France-Berkeley Fund has funded 557 collaborative research projects led by faculty across all academic fields, and distributed $5.28 million ($10-$12K per project) in funding since 1993
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IES sub-center, the Peder Sather Center has funded 320 collaborative research projects led by faculty across all academic fields and distributed more than $6.8 million ($20-25K per project) in funding since 2012.
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6 Nobel Prizes-Initial investment by IES in promising seed projects with France and with Norway have resulted in scientific breakthroughs recognized by 6 Nobel prizes
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Provide Students with funding for dissertation research that also fosters language acquisition, professionalization and international collaboration
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In 2025, IES awarded 18 summer dissertation fellowships valued at $54K for research in all fields at European partner universities. In partnership with GEO and SPO, IES initiated, maintained and renewed these 2-3 year agreements providing graduate student funding since 2015.
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In 2025, IES’ Center for Portuguese studies awarded $112K in Pinto Fialon donor funds and FLAD grant funds to support graduate student research; and $82K for undergraduate students studying during the academic year as well as participating in a global internship program
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In 2025, IES’ Center for British studies awarded 30K to graduate students for research in British Studies from the Underhill Endowment
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Share cutting edge research findings through public programs
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In 2025, IES featured 50+ public lectures, conferences and workshops on European Studies. Recent diplomats, policymakers, and cultural figures in conversation with Berkeley European Studies faculty included Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, David Amiel, Member of the French National Assembly, US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutman, Author Jhumpa Lamhiri and Curator Emilia Tavares.