The Finnish Institute in the Middle East (FIME) is an academic institute located in Beirut, Lebanon. The Institute conducts academic research on a wide range of topics from archeology to contemporary politics. The Institute supports Finnish Middle Eastern studies and organises education in cooperation with universities in Finland and in the Middle East as well as maintains and advances the academic and cultural cooperation between Finland and the countries of the Middle East.
FIME’s area of activities covers the whole region of Middle East and North Africa. The Institute is registered in Lebanon and Syria. Alongside the main office in Beirut, the Institute has a representative in Cairo, Egypt. The Institute is maintained by the Foundation of the Finnish Institute in the Middle East which is located in Helsinki, Finland. The Institute’s activities are funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, private foundations, NGOs, and private donations.
FIME is a member of the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes network representing a total of 16 Finnish institutes around the world. It is one of the four academic institutes located outside of Finland.