This primer is meant to serve as a general introduction to the MESF. The information in it might change periodically depending on the policies adopted or revised.
Interested applicants are therefore advised to consult the Statutes and Rules and Regulations, which appear on the web site
www.MESFund.org
before submitting applications.
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The establishment of the Middle East Science Fund (MESF) was the outcome of the Third Petra Nobel Laureates Conference held in Jordan in May 2007. It is established under the umbrella of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD). The MESF seeks to assist new and existing initiatives of academic and scientific institutions in the region with special focus on scientific research and science education projects. Joint research and cooperative activities are especially encouraged in order to enhance the quality of science and education in the region, and promote mutual understanding through interaction and interconnection. |
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The Middle East Science Fund is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose main mission is to support scientific research and development by funding high quality research projects that are regional in scope, relevant, and involve two or more countries in the Middle Eastern region. Young scientists and graduate students will also be encouraged to participate in funded projects in order to motivate and strengthen their role as upcoming researchers. |
The main objectives of the MESF are to:
• Promote innovative and high quality scientific research and development
• Promote cooperation between regional institutions in
the areas of medicine, physics, chemistry, mathematics and economics.
• Encourage research of relevance to the region, in energy, natural resources and technology.
• Sponsor joint project related activities between young scientists, with the aim of strengthening partnerships, and stimulating dialogue, interaction and exchange of information.
3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The MESF structure consists of the following:
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• The Board of Directors (BOD)
consists of 5 members appointed
by KAFD for a term of 4
years. It meets as often as is deemed necessary, to discuss and take decisions on resource
allocation, strategic planning, policies to be adopted or revised, compliance with
the national laws and the MESF statutes,
recommending external evaluations or audits, and any
other matters relevance. The BOD will liaise with the International
Advisory Council (IAC) on scientific programs, applications, and scientific projects submitted. |
• The Executive Committee (EC) consists of members from the region. It
recommends strategies and policies to develop the MESF's funding capacities as well as its media strategy.The EC will propose practical measures to the BOD to enhance the reach of MESF.
• The Project Management Unit (PMU) manages the day-to-day
administrative affairs of the MESF and is headed by a
Director, assisted by staff members. The responsibilities of the PMU, delegated and approved by the BOD, include:
• Managing the fund and ensuring maximum efficiency
• Lobbying support for the MESF and devising funding strategies to enhance its capacity
• Supervising and managing financial matters
• Devising and implementing a strategy to raise sufficient awareness about the MESF, including its scope and activities; contacting the media (TV, radio, newspapers and other news outlets) to publicize events or grants and to conduct publicity campaigns
• Organizing and conducting conferences, workshops and other meetings/functions where international, regional or local guests are expected.
• Arranging the publication of information brochures and booklets
• Developing and maintaining the MESF website
• Communicating with the official appointed by the EWF and ensuring efficient coordination on all
aspects of MESF policies and administration
• Supervising the initial processing and organization of proposals, preparation of documents, local and international communications, and all administrative affairs concerned with the MESF.
• The International Advisory Council (IAC) consists of Nobel Laureates from different disciplines and is established by the Board of Directors of the MESF.
The IAC responsibilities include:
• Advising on scientific research in the Middle East generally
• Advising on enhancing MESF efficiency
• Advising on the project selection process
• Reviewing eligible proposals recommended by the Board of Directors
• Advising on scientific projects that should be awarded funding
4. FUNDING POLICY & FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
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The MESF has been specifically set-up to encourage scientific advancement and excellence in research through cooperation, reciprocity, exchange of information, and partnerships that are of high scientific value, relevant, and of potentially significant impact on the Middle Eastern region. All educational and scientific institutions actively involved in research are eligible for support. Young scientists and graduate students are encouraged to participate in order to reinforce their future role in the world of science. |
• Equipment and materials to build up the research infrastructure
• Expendable supplies
• Literature, including periodicals, publications, costs of publications, etc.
• Expenses to cover field work activities of supported research projects
• Expenses to cover travel, accommodation, and registration fees for scientists and graduate students from the region to attend international scientific conferences, symposia, and workshops in order to encourage contact and cooperation between scientists of the region with their peers elsewhere.
• Payments to researchers, technical staff and research assistants, based on time devoted to projects
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International standards of administration and transparency are followed in all procedures and up-to-date records are maintained for financial matters, including funds received or dispersed.
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MESF follows a fund-raising mechanism which, through media and direct contacts, identifies funding sources to ensure the continuity of financial contributions. Funds are accepted from the following sources: |
• Government institutions and agencies
• Private companies and non-governmental organizations
• Educational, Scientific, Technological, Commercial organizations
• Philanthropic organizations
• Individuals
• Any other sources approved by the BOD
6. SUPPORTED FIELDS OF RESEARCH
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The main fields of research considered for funding are international, regional or national in scope. Priorities are set by the BOD upon recommendations of the IAC. The supported research fields include, but are not limited to: |
• Energy
• Water issues
• Food & Agriculture
• Medical & Health Issues
• Basic Sciences
• Technology (Biotechnology, ICT, Nanotechnology & Novel Materials)
• Environment
• Sustainable Socio-Economic Development
7. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS, GRANT AGREEMENT
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• Applications
are available on the website. They may be printed out, filled in and submitted, or sent by mail, to the MESF office. Submissions can be made on www.MESFund.org which is the preferred platform to submit applications. |
8. PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
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Two to five research projects are selected each year, on a competitive basis, for support by the MESF. All submitted applications undergo a series of screenings before a final choice is made on a merit basis, following a review by the IAC. Applications are processed as follows: |
• Grant applications are received and collected for an initial screening by the Project Management Unit. Only proposals completed on the proper application forms, in accordance with the fund's rules and regulations and submitted on time, are considered.
• Selected applications are categorized in accordance with pre-determined criteria and submitted to the BOD for further evaluation
• The BOD assigns specialists and experts to review the applications based on their:
- Scientific value
- Impact and Relevance
- Applicability
- Budget
- Duration and Time-table
• Five finalists are submitted to the IAC for final review, recommendation, and ranking by order of merit.
• The IAC recommendations on the finalists are announced on the MESF website.
9. DEADLINES
• Submission of applications:
• Initial screening of applications by the PMU:
• Evaluation by the BOD:
• IAC review, recommendation and ranking:
• Announcement of awardees: At the MESF website.
10. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS
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Applicants must be citizens of a country in the Middle East and should be carrying out their research in one of these countries. Projects conducted by a group of researchers which includes young scientists at the beginning of their research careers and students pursuing MSc/MA degrees, are encouraged. The proposed research should be relevant to the needs of the country or region, contribute significantly to the grantee's field of specialization, and fall within the research areas supported by the MESF. Applicants should be affiliated to a research institution or university, which has basic research facilities, and is expected to pay the researcher's regular salary. |
11. ETHICAL CONCERNS
The MESF evaluates all proposals submitted from scientific and ethical perspectives. Applicants must therefore provide full information about how their research might affect:
• Humans, bearing in mind respect for human dignity, free and informed consent of human
subjects, personal data protection, not using the human body or its parts as a source of profit, and not pursuing any research that deals with human cloning.
• Animals, providing details of the species of animals to be used and an explanation of why they have been chosen, expected benefits that justify the use of animals and why methods avoiding their use cannot be followed.
• The environment, describing methods of disposal of toxic and potentially harmful materials (chemicals, radioactive materials, etc.)
• Local and regional resources
• Local and regional communities
• The application of their research findings, and whether they could be potentially negative