USAID: MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM (MERC) – Pre-proposals

Collaborative research projects between Israel and its Arab neighbors – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, West Bank/Gaza, Lebanon, countries of the Maghreb and Gulf regions. The dual goals of the MERC Program are:
1) To contribute to development and the quality of life in the Middle East region through the application of research and technology.
2) To contribute to Arab-Israeli cooperation by establishing strong working relationships that last beyond the life of the project.
The program seeks applied research and technology development proposals within the broad areas of the natural and physical sciences and engineering. Investigators are also encouraged to integrate social science approaches, economics and the use of computer technology into the research where appropriate.
Funding: Up to $1 million over 2-5 years. Recently awarded grants ranged from ~$120,000 to $900,000 with an average of ~$500,000.
http://www.usaid.gov/where-we-work/middle-east/merc-funding-process