Search Grant Opportunities

Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)

ID: NEAAC24MERC1002 • Type: Posted

Description

The MERC Program is funded as assistance to promote scientific cooperation, technology-led development, and capacity building between partners in Israel and eligible countries/territories in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Subject to change based on U.S. federal law and country-specific restrictions on funding, those countries include: Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and the West Bank and Gaza. Emphasis is given to research and technology subjects of regional importance and relevance to the development in the MENA. Moreover, benefits should target developing, USAID-presence countries in the MENA and resource-limited populations. Strong, direct cooperation between Israel and the eligible MENA partners is required for proposals receiving funding under the MERC Program. Participation of partners from outside the MENA, including the United States, is not a key feature of the MERC Program, but they may be considered for modest roles in exceptional cases to meet an essential technical need that is not otherwise available among the partners. Applicants must be prepared to provide a well justified case for the involvement of partners from outside the MENA and accept that MERC may not support their participation.

The MERC program funds peer-reviewed, collaborative, applied scientific research and technical exchanges between Israeli partners and the eligible MENA partners. As part of this Notice of Funding Opportunity, MERC is seeking to fund proposals in the following categories:

  1. Applied research grants: Multi-year, cooperative research projects
  2. Continuation grants: Extension of existing or recently ended applied research grants
  3. Travel and workshop grants: Support for workshops, meetings, and researcher exchange
Background
The Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program, initiated in 1979 as a Congressional initiative following the Camp David accords, is implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The program aims to foster scientific cooperation, technology-led development, and capacity building between Israel and eligible countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The goal is to address common regional challenges and promote a comprehensive and lasting peace through locally-developed solutions. Eligible countries include Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and the West Bank and Gaza. The program emphasizes research of regional importance that benefits developing populations in these areas.

Grant Details
The MERC Program funds peer-reviewed collaborative applied scientific research and technical exchanges between Israeli partners and eligible MENA partners. Funding opportunities include:
1. **Applied Research Grants**: Multi-year cooperative research projects focusing on development relevance to the MENA region. Projects should address regional problems benefiting from cross-border cooperation.
2. **Continuation Grants**: Extensions of existing or recently ended applied research grants aimed at supporting implementation or broader dissemination of project results.
3. **Travel and Workshop Grants**: Support for workshops and researcher exchanges that advance dialogue on regional scientific issues or develop new partnerships.

Proposals must demonstrate strong cooperation between Israeli institutions and MENA partners with a focus on actionable research that empowers communities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must include at least one Israeli partner and one eligible MENA partner from academic, private sector, non-governmental or governmental institutions. Proposals involving affluent MENA countries must also include a developing country partner from the eligible list. Participation of partners from outside the MENA region is not a key feature but may be considered in exceptional cases with justification.

Period of Performance
The estimated length of projects varies by grant type: Applied Research Grants are typically 2 to 5 years; Continuation Grants are 1 to 3 years; Travel and Workshop Grants are expected to be completed within one year.

Grant Value
The estimated award ceiling for Applied Research Grants is $1,000,000; for Continuation Grants it is $500,000; and for Travel and Workshop Grants it is $100,000. There is no minimum award floor specified.

Place of Performance
The grants will be performed in Israel and eligible MENA countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and the West Bank and Gaza.

Overview

Category of Funding
Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
On 10/16/24 the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs posted grant opportunity NEAAC24MERC1002 for Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC). The grant will be issued under grant program 19.502 Middle East Regional Cooperation Program. It is expected that 5 total grants will be made.

Timing

Posted Date
Oct. 16, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Jan. 15, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST Due in 43 Days
Last Updated
Oct. 16, 2024, 9:29 p.m. EDT
Version
3
Archive Date
Feb. 14, 2025

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
Subject to change based on U.S. federal law and country-specific restrictions on funding, in addition toIsrael the following countries/territories are eligible to apply as MENA partners: Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait,Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates,and the West Bank and Gaza. Partners may come from academic, private sector, non-governmental, orgovernmental institutions eligible to receive U.S. foreign assistance. Please contact merc@usaid.gov with questions about eligibility.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$1,000,000
Floor
Not Listed
Estimated Program Funding
Not Provided
Estimated Number of Grants
5

Contacts

Contact
Laura Malone Grantor
Contact Email
Email Description
MERC Committee
Contact Phone
(202) 655-6346

Documents

Posted documents for NEAAC24MERC1002

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