Second Edition of the Arab Alliances Initiative for Scientific Research and Innovation

Deadline: 31-Dec-2025

The Second Edition of the Arab Alliances Initiative invites Arab research teams to submit proposals in agriculture, energy, emerging technologies, health, and social sciences. Funded projects receive US$30,000–100,000 over two years, aiming to strengthen Arab research capacity, foster regional partnerships, and deliver tangible societal impact.

Program Overview

The Arab Alliances Initiative seeks to build integrated Arab research teams that address key societal and developmental challenges. The program focuses on strengthening Arab research capabilities and fostering collaborations with the public sector, private sector, and civil society. By combining regional expertise with practical relevance, the initiative promotes impactful and multidisciplinary research.

Priority Research Areas

1. Agriculture, Food, and Environment Nexus – Sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental management.

2. Energy and Water Nexus – Renewable energy, water management, and sustainable energy solutions.

3. Emerging Technologies – Innovations in AI, digital technologies, and applied sciences.

4. Health and Medicine – Public health, medical research, and healthcare innovation.

5. Social Sciences and Humanities – Socioeconomic research, cultural studies, governance, and policy analysis.

Sub-areas may be adopted within these main fields in collaboration with joint Arab action organizations and international partners.

Eligibility Criteria

• Principal Investigator: Must be affiliated with an Arab research institution.

• Team Composition: Each project must include at least three researchers from three different Arab countries.

• Institutional Approval: Proposals require prior approval from the applicant’s reference institution.

• Proposal Language: Submit proposals in Arabic or English with an abstract in both languages.

Funding and Project Support

• Duration: Up to two years starting April 2026.

• Budget Range: US$30,000–100,000 per project, subject to review based on project nature and context.

• Funding Sources: Seed fund from the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils and additional support from Arab and international partners.

• Special Support: International Development Research Centre of Canada supports projects including researchers from low- and middle-income countries, crisis-affected regions, displaced scholars, and early-career researchers, emphasizing gender equality and inclusivity.

Application and Evaluation Process

1. Eligibility Check: Initial verification of applicants and institutions.

2. Proposal Evaluation: Conducted by scientific committees from end of December 2025 to mid-February 2026.

   • Focus on short-term, multidisciplinary projects with clear objectives and practical deliverables.

   • Preference given to projects involving industry partners or end beneficiaries.

3. Funding Committee Review: Approved proposals presented to funding committees representing Arab countries and international partners.

4. Funding Decision: Finalized by February 2026.

5. Announcement of Winners: Scheduled for April 2026 on the initiative’s official website.

Project Implementation and Monitoring

• Start Date: April 2026 after signing partnership contracts.

• Duration: Up to two years.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Scientific and Funding Committees monitor progress and alignment with initiative goals throughout the project lifecycle.

Why This Initiative Matters

• Strengthens Arab research capacity and regional collaboration.

• Supports multidisciplinary, solution-oriented research with measurable societal impact.

• Encourages inclusive research teams, gender equality, and participation of early-career and displaced researchers.

• Builds partnerships across sectors, enhancing relevance and practical application of research outcomes.

Common Tips for Applicants

• Form teams with researchers from at least three different Arab countries.

• Engage industry partners or end beneficiaries for practical impact.

• Ensure proposals have clear objectives, deliverables, and feasibility.

• Align research with priority areas and sub-areas relevant to Arab development needs.

• Prepare bilingual abstracts and ensure all institutional approvals are secured before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can serve as principal investigator? Any researcher affiliated with an Arab research institution.
2. How many researchers must a project include? At least three researchers from three different Arab countries.
3. What is the funding range? US$30,000–100,000 per project.
4. What languages can proposals be submitted in? Arabic or English, with abstracts in both languages.
5. When will funding decisions be made? February 2026.
6. When does project implementation start? April 2026.
7. How are projects monitored? Scientific and Funding Committees track progress and alignment throughout the two-year implementation.

Conclusion

The Arab Alliances Initiative – 2nd Edition provides a strategic platform for Arab researchers to collaborate across borders, tackle developmental challenges, and deliver tangible societal impact. With robust funding, structured evaluation, and inclusive team requirements, this initiative promotes multidisciplinary, high-impact research that advances both regional knowledge and practical solutions.

For more information, visit ARICA.