# Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/neaac24merc1001-middle-east-regional-cooperation-merc/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/353928

> Assistance Coordination offered grants of up to $500,000 to the applicants described in the notice. Applications closed on July 31, 2024.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | NEAAC24MERC1001 |
| Agency | Assistance Coordination |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | July 31, 2024 |
| Award ceiling | $500,000 |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.502 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

All proposals must include at least one Israeli partner and one eligible MENA partner. Only proposals developed jointly by investigators from the partner institutions are accepted. Proposals involving three or more partners are also allowed and encouraged. The proposal may be submitted by any party in the collaboration. Please see NOFO document for additional details.

## What the grant funds

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 (hereinafter “eligible MENA partners”). 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 the MERC Program may not support their participation. The overall goal of the MERC Program is to enhance research and development cooperation between Israel and its regional neighbors – in support of achieving a comprehensive and lasting Middle East peace. As part of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the MERC Program is seeking to fund proposals in the following categories: Continuation grants: Funding to extend existing or recently ended MERC awards. Travel and workshop grants: Support for workshops, meetings, and researcher exchange.

## Questions people ask

### Is NEAAC24MERC1001 still open?

No. It closed on July 31, 2024.

### Who can apply for Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)?

Assistance Coordination accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)?

Closed July 31, 2024. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $500,000 each.