The mission of the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) is to initiate, encourage, and support research and public understanding of the history and cultures of the Near East and wider Mediterranean world, from the earliest times. ASOR aims to achieve its mission in a manner that is apolitical and without any religious affiliation.
The Herbert Warren Mason Fellowship, under ASOR, targets scholars, poets, writers, or artists whose project proposals resonate closely with Herbert W. Mason’s body of work, particularly in the retelling of ancient and medieval myths and legends of the Near East and wider Mediterranean, including oral transmissions. Established in memory of Herbert W. Mason (1932 – 2017), the fellowship offers $5,000 biennially. This grant supports expenses related to travel for accessing special collections, acquiring rare research materials, art illustrations for proposals, or furthering scholarly studies. The project manuscript must be translated into English, contributing to the interdisciplinary scope of Mason's legacy, touching upon themes like myth, mysticism, and poetic art of retelling ancient stories.