Supporting the science, technology and innovation ecosystem in the Arab states through capacity strengthening and regional research collaboration

Recent studies on the dynamics of research in the Arab region have highlighted that the modest growth in scientific activity has largely been driven by collaborations outside the region. There is a huge disparity between the research capacity and output of higher-income and lower-income countries in the region. In addition, the context for many Arab national research ecosystems needs to be understood through the lens of conflict and political instability in parts of the region, which have resulted in large-scale destruction of research infrastructure in some cases and gaps in research governance in others.

Science granting councils and similar organizations have often been central in mobilizing resources for science at the national level, improving coordination of research and developing new domestic and international partnerships. More generally, they have contributed to policies and programs that play a transformative role in national and regional science, technology and innovation. They have also played a key role in ensuring that research is aligned with development priorities.

This initiative aims to enhance the regional science, technology and innovation ecosystem within the Arab countries by focusing on funding structures and regional collaboration opportunities aligned with humanitarian and development challenges. Through competitive grants, the initiative will incentivize regional collaboration, facilitating the participation of lower-income and conflict-affected countries. The grants program is tied to national science granting councils and emphasizes gender equity and youth inclusion, as well as providing an opportunity to mobilize the diaspora.

In addition, complementary efforts will examine a small subset of conflict-affected countries, developing and mobilizing new evidence to inform the reconstruction of research ecosystems, with a focus on the roles of funding agencies. This will also enable the countries to reinvigorate exchange and mutual cooperation between universities and other knowledge institutions in post-conflict settings.