The Orient-Institut Istanbul (OlI) is a research institute within the network of the Max Weber Foundation – German Humanities Institutes Abroad specialising in disciplines of the humanities and social sciences. In close co-operation with Turkish, German and international academics, it is occupied with a variety of different research areas in Turkish Studies in their entanglement with Southeast European, Mediterranean, Iranian, Central Asian and Caucasian issues. Its research ranges from Ottoman studies and Turkological linguistics and literary studies to cultural anthropology, musicology and topics from Science, Technology and Society. In addition, the Orient-Institut Istanbul is active in the area of academic exchange between Germany and Turkey.

The Institute is located in the Galata district of Istanbul, close to Taksim Square, one of the cultural and transportational hubs of the city. Surrounded by numerous archives, manuscript collections, museums, and art galleries, the Institute offers excellent research opportunities on Ottoman, Mediterranean, and Turkish culture, history, and society.