The OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)-TWAS Joint Research Grants Programme complements the TWAS Research Grants Programme in Basic Sciences and the Research Grants Programme of the International Foundation for Science (IFS).

The programme aims at encouraging the pursuit of scientific excellence in OIC countries by identifying and supporting the best young scientists in these countries; reinforcing and promoting scientific research and strengthening the endogenous capacity in science and technology; and counteracting the brain drain and reducing the exodus of scientific talent from the OIC countries.

COMSTECH-TWAS Joint Research Grants are awarded to high-level and promising research projects carried out by young individual scientists in OIC countries.

Grant:

• A Research Grant amounts to a maximum of US$15,000.
• A grant is normally provided for a period of 18 months and is renewable once.
• A grant may be used to purchase scientific equipment, consumables and specialized literature (textbooks and proceedings only).
• The grant does not cover salaries of researchers and/or students, field expenses, travel expenses and/or participation in international conferences.

Subject Areas:

The programme provides support for research projects in the following fields of science and technology: earth sciences, engineering sciences, information technology and computer sciences, materials science including nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and renewable energy.

Grant Eligibility of Applicants:

• Individual applicants must be nationals of OIC Member States, with a PhD and some research experience, but at the beginning of their careers. They should hold positions at universities or research institutions in one of the OIC countries.
• As a general rule, the grants are awarded to competent scientists under the age of 40 years.
• Scientists who submit a satisfactory final report on a previous grant may apply for a renewal.

Agreement:

• A written agreement is made between TWAS, the grantee and his/her institute.
• The institute undertakes to administer the grant according to the agreement and to provide laboratory space, salaries and other facilities necessary for the project.
• Equipment, consumables and literature provided for the project through the COMSTECH-TWAS Joint Research Grants Programme remain the property of the institute after the project is completed.
• The research grant is kept at TWAS for the purchase of all items requested by the grantee.
• TWAS contacts the supplier(s) upon receipt of proforma invoices submitted by the grantee in accordance with the itemized budget.
• Awardees are required to submit a final report within one year of receipt of the last items purchased.

Deadline: 31 August.

For more information and application, visit: TWAS-COMSTECH Joint Research Grants Website