Simpler Grants.gov #DFOP0019227

Grants for Joint Scientific Research Projects in the Middle East and North Africa (MERC Program)

This opportunity is a grant solicitation from the U.S. Department of State for the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of State, Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs, Assistance Coordination office - Program Focus: - Supports joint applied scientific research and innovation partnerships - Involves organizations from the United States, Israel, and eligible Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries - Projects must address shared regional challenges and advance U.S. economic, technological, and strategic interests - Eligibility: - Open to public and private educational institutions, corporations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society/non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, and governmental institutions - Projects must include at least one Israeli and one eligible MENA partner; U.S. participation is encouraged - Funding Details: - Total available funding: $10,000,000 - Expected number of awards: approximately 7 - Award size: $100,000 to $2,000,000 per project - Grant duration: one to four years, with possible continuation grants - Notable Requirements: - Emphasis on strengthening U.S. technological leadership and expanding opportunities for U.S. businesses - Projects should promote the use of U.S. technologies and build long-term partnerships - No specific OEMs, vendors, or product part numbers are named; the program is open to a wide range of research topics and organizations

Description

The Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program supports joint scientific research and innovation partnerships between the United States, Israel, and countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The program funds applied research projects that address shared regional challenges while advancing U.S. economic, technological, and strategic interests. MERC emphasizes collaboration among researchers and institutions from Israel and at least one eligible MENA country or territory, with U.S. participation encouraged to add technical expertise and support market expansion. Projects should demonstrate clear plans for application, commercialization, and scaling of results to benefit the U.S. and participating countries. The program aims to strengthen regional cooperation, promote innovation, and foster economic growth and stability in the region.

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