The Prize fosters superior research in understudied aspects of Ismaili Studies.

The vast majority of books and articles in this area have focussed on the history and philosophy of Ismāʿīlīs dating back to periods before the 14th century CE. They are also characterized by geographical imbalances with respect to the transnational presence of Ismāʿīlīs. For example, little work is conducted on the 700-year old Satpanth tradition which constitutes the heritage of a significant proportion of the global movement. Additionally, the large concentrations of Ismāʿīlīs in places such as Afghanistan, East Africa, Lebanon, and Yemen are understudied.

It is encouraging that some scholars are broadening the ambit of Ismaili Studies by conducting research on diverse regions, recent history, and contemporary developments. They are also using a wider array of approaches from the social sciences and humanities in their work. The Karim and Rosemin Karim Prize has been established to encourage research and publication in the above-mentioned and other under-examined aspects of a broadly conceptualized Ismaili Studies.