Funding Wizard

The NEA/AC and EB bureaus seek proposals to strengthen the fiscal transparency of the Egyptian development program Decent Life. This project aims to increase the financial transparency of the largest mega-project in Egypt today. The GoE’s Decent Life initiative seeks to significantly develop the Egyptian countryside and ameliorate poverty through massive public spending. Much is still unknown about the announced $50 billion budget. Thus, U.S. Embassy Cairo will partner with the Ministry of Finance’s Transparency Unit to collaborate on this proposed project and increase transparency of Decent Life’s finances. Please refer to the full notice of funding opportunity for eligibility, registration requirements, and instructions to submit an application.

The MERC Program is funded as assistance to promote Arab-Israeli scientific cooperation, technology-led development, and capacity building. Emphasis is given to research and technology subjects of regional importance and relevance to the development of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Benefits should target developing countries in the region and populations of limited income. Strong, direct Arab-Israeli cooperation is required for proposals receiving funding under the MERC Program. Involvement of U.S. partners and support for the participation of individuals or institutions from outside the Middle East and North Africa (e.g., Europe) is not a key feature of the MERC Program, but may be considered for modest roles in exceptional cases to meet an essential technical need that is not available in the region. Applicants must be prepared to provide a well justified case for non-regional partner participation, and accept that MERC may not support the participation of any non-regional partners.The MERC Program funds peer-reviewed, collaborative, scientific research projects on development topics between Israel and its Arab neighbors across the MENA region. As part of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), MERC is seeking to fund proposals in the following categories:Applied research grants: Multi-year, joint Arab-Israeli projectsContinuation grants: Funding to extend existing or recently ended MERC awardsTravel and workshop grants: Support for workshops, meetings, and researcher exchangePlease see full NOFO description in the Related Documents section of this listing for additional details.

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC), seeks applications to strengthen American-style IHE in Iraq. With this announcement, NEA/AC seeks to support multiple awards with the objective of building and increasing the institutional capacity of IHE in Iraq. Proposals shall address ways to develop new and ongoing partnerships between IHEs in Iraq and higher education institutions in the United States. Particular focus should be given to building the capacity of IHE and educational systems in Iraq to meet American higher education standards. Proposals will be structured to establish sustainable partnerships which in the short-term produce meaningful institutional improvements and in the long-term help achieve formal accreditation by U.S. authorities. Additionally, projects will provide financial assistance to recruit and retain students who are representative of Iraq’s diverse ethnic, geographic, and religious communities.

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) seeks proposals promoting the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations. Proposals should include activities aimed at strengthening the ability of stakeholders unaffiliated with the Syrian regime to participate in the political process established by United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254, addressing U.S. priorities towards an eventual political solution. This may include access to relevant technical knowledge, outreach to Syrian citizens, and engagement through media platforms. In addition, activities should seek to create the conditions for peace and coexistence in selected regions of Syria outside the control of the Syrian regime. Activities should seek to ease tensions and promote cooperation between rival political groups and/or citizens across conflict lines. Other initiatives may seek to advance sub-national political reforms in ways consistent with UNSCR 2254, creating the conditions for its implementation.

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) seeks proposals promoting the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations. Proposals should include activities aimed at strengthening the ability of stakeholders unaffiliated with the Syrian regime to participate in the political process established by United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254, addressing U.S. priorities towards an eventual political solution. This may include access to relevant technical knowledge, outreach to Syrian citizens, and engagement through media platforms. In addition, activities should seek to create the conditions for peace and coexistence in selected regions of Syria outside the control of the Syrian regime. Activities should seek to ease tensions and promote cooperation between rival political groups and/or citizens across conflict lines. Other initiatives may seek to advance sub-national political reforms in ways consistent with UNSCR 2254, creating the conditions for its implementation.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination aims to partner with Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs) to address stabilization challenges in northeast Syria as well as parts of the northern Aleppo countryside outside of the control of the Syrian regime. Communities continue to suffer from political, social, and economic deprivations following eleven years of conflict and Syrian civil society plays a vital role in serving their community members in ways that intersect with U.S. policy interests. Project activities to be supported through this funding opportunity will broadly aim to advance peaceful coexistence and strengthen accountability in targeted communities while enhancing the capacity of CSOs to serve and represent all Syrians. Proposals should pay particular attention to inclusion of marginalized and underserved groups such as women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination aims to partner with Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs) to address stabilization challenges in northeast Syria as well as parts of the northern Aleppo countryside outside of the control of the Syrian regime. Communities continue to suffer from political, social, and economic deprivations following eleven years of conflict and Syrian civil society plays a vital role in serving their community members in ways that intersect with U.S. policy interests. Project activities to be supported through this funding opportunity will broadly aim to advance peaceful coexistence and strengthen accountability in targeted communities while enhancing the capacity of CSOs to serve and represent all Syrians. Proposals should pay particular attention to inclusion of marginalized and underserved groups such as women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination seeks to partner with local governance actors to address stabilization challenges in northeast Syria and potentially in areas of northwest Syria outside the control of the Syrian regime. Communities continue to suffer from political, social, and economic deprivations following eleven years of conflict and local governance plays a vital role in serving local needs in ways that align with U.S. policy interests. Project activities to be supported through this funding opportunity will broadly aim to improve essential services in target communities while strengthening the capacity of local governance actors (e.g. civic councils) as administrators of those services. Proposals should pay particular attention to inclusion of marginalized and underserved groups such as women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities. They should also consider the challenges a changing climate poses to essential services programming and propose means to address them.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination seeks to partner with local governance actors to address stabilization challenges in northeast Syria and potentially in areas of northwest Syria outside the control of the Syrian regime. Communities continue to suffer from political, social, and economic deprivations following eleven years of conflict and local governance plays a vital role in serving local needs in ways that align with U.S. policy interests. Project activities to be supported through this funding opportunity will broadly aim to improve essential services in target communities while strengthening the capacity of local governance actors (e.g. civic councils) as administrators of those services. Proposals should pay particular attention to inclusion of marginalized and underserved groups such as women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities. They should also consider the challenges a changing climate poses to essential services programming and propose means to address them.

The Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) aims to support programming to improve access for Syrians to unbiased, accurate, and locally relevant information as a means to empower citizens, promote accountability, and counter violent extremist narratives.