The Middle East Science Fund  

 
The Middle East Science Fund is being launched in 2008/2009 with the main aim of supporting high quality regional research projects that promote scientific cooperation and development by linking scientists and research institutions in the Middle East. The involvement of young scientists and graduate students in the funded projects will be encouraged in order to motivate and strengthen the role of upcoming researchers. The supported projects should be multinational and not-for-profit. The Middle East Science Fund will sponsor meetings of scientists from universities in the region, and support their joint activities towards promoting cooperation among educational institutions in the areas of medicine, physics, chemistry and economics. The Fund will also promote educational scientific endeavors in vital areas, including energy and renewable energy sources, water management, the environment and technology.
    
                    
The initial capitalization of the Middle East Science Fund will be USD 10 million with a seed contribution donated by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein.

The fund will be registered under the umbrella of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development and will be managed by an Executive Board of Directors and a Manager.

An International Advisory Council of Nobel Laureates will advise the Middle East Science Fund on matters of policy and means to enhance the Fund’s efficiency; review eligible proposals; advise on the scientific project(s) that should be awarded funding in a given year as well as on scientific research in the Middle East generally; and meet at least once annually during the Petra Nobel Laureates Conference. This annual meeting will be open to all Laureates participating in that year’s Petra Conference.

An Executive Committee with members from the region will recommend strategies and policies to develop the Fund’s funding capacities as well as advise on its media strategy. Being regional in scope, the Executive Committee will propose practical measures to the Board of Directors to enhance the Fund’s reach.

The secretariat of the Middle East Science Fund will be located at the headquarters of the King Abdullah II Fund in Jordan.
                      
 
 
   
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