 The present quarters of the French School at Athens, the first of the Foreign Archaeological Schools. | |
| Founder(s) | Foundation committees in the various nations |
|---|---|
| Established | 1846 – 1989 |
| Mission | To research, document, and preserve Hellenic cultural objects in Greece, especially antiquities, and especially employing the method of archaeological excavation. |
| Focus | Compliance with Hellenic Law No. 3028/2002 and all associated governmental orders and policies |
| Chair | The chair of the Board of Trustees in various languages. The Board meets periodically to make final authorizations and decide strategic policy |
| "Director" in various languages | The person elected or appointed to authorize and direct daily operations from the top of the administrative hierarchy |
| Budget | Comes from endowments, contributions, fees, and funding by the various foreign governments or universities. |
| Owner | Various owners according to the national laws and the chosen structures. They are all equally recognized in Hellenic law as non-profit organizations. |
| Location | Athens , Hellenic Republic |
There are 19 Foreign Archaeological Institutes in Greece, also known as "schools," all based in Athens. Seventeen of them are officially accredited. In addition to conducting their share of government-authorized research projects, they issue reports and other publications, support specialised archaeological/classical libraries, conduct regular lecture programmes, award scholarships/bursaries and provide accommodation for a fee. They do not offer degrees, nor are their courses part of any regular, graduate curriculum.
The "students" are not regular students as they are known in the countries of initiation; in fact, some schools, such as the British School, now avoid the term, in favor of "member." The members, or students, are often already degreed professionals in archaeology or related fields. They take courses to prepare themselves for the research conducted by the school, which is typically archaeological. Undergraduate or graduate students present are enrolled in degree programs in their own countries.
The "foreign archaeological schools" are research institutes. Some have associated laboratories. Some of the institutes also maintain specific site facilities or study centres outside Athens. Additionally there is one separate foreign-run Archaeological library in Athens, as well as one foreign research institution elsewhere in Greece.