OVERVIEW

Scientific research for civil purposes is considered one of the main criteria for the evaluation of the developmental level in all countries all over the world. It is known that results of scientific research have important impacts on creativity and on the industrial, agricultural and technological development. This increases the national income and helps in improving means and styles of human living, and also improves the level of welfare for people.

At the same time, scientific research needs funds to cover the required human and technical resources, alongside the availability of a creative mind that finds creative solutions for existing problems. It’s worth mentioning that the developed countries spend around 2.5% of their GDP for R&D activities, to which the private sector contributes 80% of the overall expenditure. However, in the Arab countries, the R&D expenditure is only about 0.2% while the contribution of the private sector is almost absent.

This has brought about a critical need to establish new channels, which involve the private and governmental sectors alike, to support and fund scientific research projects in the Arab countries.

Hence, the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) has been persisting ever since its establishment, to support, promote and facilitate scientific research and development in the Arab World. Toward this end, ASTF created a Research Funding Program designed to make material all over the world. Through available funds, equal opportunity is given to all of the competing proposals according to the guidelines and priorities set by ASTF management. All competing proposals, which meet ASTF criteria are evaluated and judged by independent peers of high repute in their field, with scientific merit as the decisive factor in arriving at the final selection of proposals to be funded.

ALJ Grant for Scientific Research in the Arab World

One of the main fruits of this endeavor is the greatly appreciated initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) Company, Jeddah- Saudi Arabia, that has chosen ASTF to manage a yearly ONE MILLION US $ grant in support of Scientific Research and Innovation in Technology in the Arab World. The grant aims at enhancing civil R&D activities in medical, engineering, applied sciences, as well as other sciences of relevant approaches.

For detailed information about the ALJ grant, please click on the following link: INACTIVE

Iraq Research and Development Initiative(IRDI)

This program is conducted under the “Iraq Research and Development Initiative” established by ASTF in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development foundation, to engage Iraqi scientists and engineers in research activities that have the potential to contribute to the reconstruction of their country.

For detailed information about the IRDI, please click on the following link:
http://www.astf.net/site/zone/zone.asp?ogzid=10206

 Funding Technology Business Proposals for Iraqi Experts

This program is established by ASTF in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, to assist Iraqi experts who have products and/or technologies that have commercialization potential, focusing on marketable products in local, regional, or international markets.

 For detailed information about the IRDI, please click on the following link:
http://www.astf.net/site/zone/zone.asp?ogzid=10255