Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program
The MERC Program funds collaborative scientific research and innovation among the U.S., Israel, and MENA countries to address regional challenges and advance practical, commercially relevant solutions.
Funder: Department of State
Due Dates: July 6, 2026 (Current NOFO)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$2,000,000 per award over 1–4 years; FY26 program funding estimated at $7M total
Summary: Supports collaborative applied research and innovation partnerships among the U.S., Israel, and MENA countries to advance regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
Key Information: Consortium must include at least one Israeli and one MENA partner; U.S. benefit and private sector involvement are strongly encouraged.
Description
The Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program fosters applied collaborative scientific research and innovation among the United States, Israel, and countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The program aims to advance U.S. economic and technological leadership, address regionally relevant challenges, and promote peaceful cooperation and durable partnerships. MERC supports projects that accelerate the transition of research into practical applications, commercial products, or scalable solutions with economic value, while strengthening regional ties and expanding U.S. commercial opportunities.
