Foundation for Iranian Studies

The Foundation for Iranian Studies (FIS) is an American non-profit institution dedicated to educating the public about Persia and modern Iran. Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's sister, funded the founding of FIS in1981, just after the Iranian Revolution. Thus, the foundation especially focused on preserving pre-revolutionary history and culture. Since 1982 they have hosted an oral history program.

The foundation was originally located in Washington DC, and later moved to Maryland. The mission is to preserve, study, and transmit Persian/Iranian cultural heritage; to study contemporary issues within Iranian government and society; and to point to the probable social, economic, political, and military directions Iran may take in the 21st century. The foundation received financial support from Princess Ashraf Pahlavi. It has organized various Persian cultural events in collaboration with American universities, museums and academic institutions in the United States, notable partners include Georgetown University, National Museum of Asian Art, Society of Iranian Studies, Pacific Museum, Middle East Studies Association, and others.