Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC)
The MERC Program funds joint applied research projects connecting U.S., Israeli, and MENA organizations to address regional challenges, promote innovation, and strengthen economic and strategic partnerships.
Funder: Assistance Coordination
Due Dates: September 30, 2026: Statement of Interest (SOI) deadline
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$2,000,000 per project (up to 4 years); ~$10M total program funding; ~7 awards expected
Summary: Supports applied research partnerships among U.S., Israeli, and MENA organizations to address regional challenges and advance U.S. economic and technological interests.
Key Information: Projects must include both Israeli and eligible MENA partners; U.S. partners are optional but encouraged for commercial/technical impact.
Description
This program funds collaborative, applied research projects that bring together organizations from Israel and at least one eligible Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country, with optional participation from U.S. entities. The goal is to address shared regional challenges—such as technology, energy, water, agriculture, health security, and advanced manufacturing—while advancing U.S. economic, technological, and strategic interests. Projects should go beyond basic research, showing a clear pathway to application, commercialization, or broader adoption, and must have strong plans for collaboration and real-world impact. U.S. involvement is encouraged when it enhances technical expertise, fosters market expansion for U.S. companies, or supports the translation of research to market.
