Established in 1984, the American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) works to facilitate scholarly research on North Africa and to encourage the exchange of scholars and scholarly information. In the United States, AIMS serves as the professional association of scholars interested in the Maghrib. Abroad, it organizes programs in collaboration with scholars and institutions throughout North Africa and supports three overseas research centers: the Centre d’Etudes Maghrébines à Tunis (CEMAT), the Tangier American Legation Museum (TALM) and Centre d'Etudes Maghrébines en Algérie (CEMA).

In addition to sponsoring an annual grants competition for American scholars and graduate students wishing to undertake research in the Maghrib, AIMS offers pre-dissertation grants and CEMAT/TALM fellowships for North African scholars. The Institute convenes an annual conference in the region in cooperation with North African scholars. AIMS also publishes The Journal of North African Studies, co-sponsored by the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

AIMS sponsors an intensive intermediate level Arabic language program in Tangier, Morocco. Scholarships are available for this six-week summer program. AIMS also periodically organizes original cross-national research projects designed and carried out by American and North African scholars. Finally, AIMS has an active graduate student organization and conducts an annual dissertation workshop to help students prepare for fieldwork in North Africa.