Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)
This funding opportunity is for joint scientific research and innovation partnerships under the Middle East Regional Cooperation Program. It supports applied research projects that address shared regional challenges and involve organizations from Israel and at least one eligible MENA country or territory. The notice says the program is intended to advance U.S. economic, technological, and strategic interests, and it welcomes U.S. participation where it adds technical expertise, supports market expansion, or helps connect research to markets. The eligibility list includes educational institutions, corporations and other for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and public international organizations and governmental institutions.
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 is designed to bring together researchers, technical experts, and institutions to work on projects that go beyond basic research and demonstrate clear potential for application, commercialization, and broader adoption. MERC prioritizes efforts that strengthen U.S. technological leadership, expand opportunities for U.S. businesses, promote the use of U.S. technologies, and build long-term partnerships in the region. The program places strong emphasis on collaboration. All projects must include organizations from Israel and at least one eligible MENA country or territory. MERC welcomes U.S. participation, particularly when it adds technical expertise, supports market expansion for U.S. companies, or helps connect research to markets. Projects should demonstrate a clear plan for using and scaling results and how the outcomes benefit priorities of the United States and the participating countries. Overall, MERC aims to strengthen regional cooperation by supporting high-quality scientific partnerships that produce tangible results. By connecting U.S., Israeli, and MENA organizations, the program helps build networks, promote innovation, and create opportunities for economic growth, peaceful and mutually beneficial collaboration, and long-term stability in the region.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply: - Public and private educational institutions - Corporations and for-profit organizations - Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations - Public International Organizations and governmental institutions
Focus Sectors
Science and Technology and other Research and Development