New Funding Opportunity for Researchers in the Middle East and North Africa: GTCR‑MENA Grants Now Open

The InterAcademy Partnership is highlighting a major new research funding opportunity for scientists in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. UNESCO‑TWAS, with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), has launched the Grants for Transformative and Collaborative Research in the Middle East and North Africa (GTCR‑MENA) programme to strengthen research capacity and foster collaborations between researchers in the MENA region and German laboratories.

The call opens today, on 23 February 2026 and invites Principal Investigators with a PhD to submit competitive research proposals in key scientific fields aligned with Germany’s High‑Tech Agenda (HTAD). Eligible areas include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Microelectronics, Biotechnology, Fusion and Climate‑Neutral Energy Transition, Technology for Climate‑Neutral Mobility, Aerospace, Health Research, Marine, Climate and Sustainability Research and selected Humanities and Social Sciences topics.

This programme supports transformative research projects that can purchase scientific equipment and consumables to enhance research productivity. In addition to core research funding, grantees can request support for MSc students, international conference participation, collaborative mobility with German partners and open‑access publication costs. There is also a dedicated component aimed at enhancing the productivity of female scientists returning to academia after maternity leave.

To be eligible for the 2026 cycle, applicants must:

• Be nationals of, and preferably residing in, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, State of Palestine, Syria, Tunisia or Yemen.
• Hold a PhD degree and be affiliated with an academic or research institution in one of the eligible countries.
• Have an ongoing collaboration with a German science institution or be in the process of establishing one, supported by a letter of collaboration.

The deadline for applications is 16 April 2026 (11:59 CEST). Selected grantees will enter a tripartite agreement with TWAS and their home institution to administer the grant. Applicants are encouraged to prepare strong research proposals and review the full programme guidelines before applying.

This initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening scientific research and collaboration in the MENA region, offering early‑ and mid‑career researchers access to resources and networks that can elevate research capacity and impact.

Learn more and apply

Call details and application instructions are available on the TWAS website