Newton-Mosharafa build collaborations between UK and Egypt in academic groups, industry and third sectors
The British Council, British Embassy and Egyptian Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) have launched a call for proposals for Newton-Mosharafa Institutional Links grants.
The Institutional Links programme is designed to establish links beyond the level of the individual researcher and innovation practitioner, opening up opportunities for more sustainable, solution-oriented research and innovation collaborations between academic groups as well as with the private and third sector.
A ‘call to action’ has been issued for British and Egyptian Leading and Established Researchers to submit a proposal for grants of 50,000 – 300,000 pounds sterling to be used over two years. Newton-Mosharafa Institutional Links grants are intended to cover the following areas:
- Initiate new research and innovation collaborations between academic groups, departments and institutions in Egypt and the UK
- Develop existing collaborations at group, departmental and institutional level
- Encourage these collaborations to work with non-academic organisations and individuals to support the exchange of research and innovation expertise and the translation of research knowledge into tangible benefits
- Establish local hubs for UK-Egypt activity in a particular area, enabling engagement from the wider research and innovation community.
Egypt priority areas are: Renewable energy, sustainable food production, sustainable water management, affordable and inclusive healthcare, archaeology and cultural heritage. Only proposals that focus on these areas will be considered.
Interested applicants should:
- Read through the guidelines
- Fill out the application form online
- Register at the STDF website
- Submit the application no later than 20 November 2014.
In light of the newly announced calls, John Casson, the British Ambassador to Egypt said that the “the golden key to stability, prosperity and democracy in Egypt is to allow young Egyptians to learn, innovate and create job opportunities for all. I am proud that Britain is investing its world-beating science in the future of Egypt’s future economy and young people.”
Dr Amr Adly, Director of the STDF, said ‘Building Egypt’s knowledge-based economy is dependent on the efficient utilization of directed and demand-driven research deliverables. The Newton-Mosharafa Fund is an excellent opportunity to enhance Egypt’s knowledge-based economy tools, management approaches, infrastructure and capacity building through the partnership with UK institutions and colleagues with whom we share a long history of cooperation. It is also a great opportunity to internationally highlight areas of scientific excellence for some Egyptian researchers and scientific groups.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: ROSE MARIE GAD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, BRITISH COUNCIL EGYPT, TEL: +(202) 3300 1851 - EMAIL:ROSE.GAD@BRITISHCOUNCIL.ORG.EG
About the Newton-Mosharafa Fund
The Newton Fund is worth £375 million over 5 years and aims to support science and innovation partnerships between the UK and emerging powers. It forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment and its primary focus is to develop partner countries research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth. £75 million will be spent each year from 2014/15 for five years and the intention is that UK funding is matched either by partner countries or by private foundations, multi-lateral organisations or corporate partners.
The Newton Fund is running in 15 of the biggest emerging powers around the world. Egypt is the only Middle Eastern/North African country to be taking part in the Fund.
In Egypt, the Fund is called the Newton-Mosharafa Fund, named after Isaac Newton and eminent Egyptian physicist Ali Moustafa Mosharafa.
Collective funding for Newton-Mosharafa is £4 million a year in Egypt, with the UK contributing £2 million and the Egyptian side providing £2 million in matched funding. The funding on the UK side comes from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The fund is managed jointly by the British Council and the British Embassy in Egypt.
The Fund will cover three broad categories of activity: (i) People: capacity building, people exchange and joint centres; (ii) Programmes: research collaboration on development topics; and (iii) Translation: partnerships to transfer innovation from academia to industry.
About the British Embassy
We develop and maintain relations between the UK and Egypt. This is a historic moment for Egypt and the region. Egypt’s transition to a democratic state has the potential to be the role model for many other states in the region. Britain has a long history of strong shared interests with Egypt, and we will continue to be an active and engaged partner, offering our help and assistance as Egypt continues the process of rebuilding both itself and its leading role in the region.
About the Science and Technology Development Fund
In 2006, the Egyptian Ministry for Scientific Research has embarked on an ambitious exercise to overhaul Science and Technology (S&T) activities in Egypt. In the course of the year 2007, the outputs of that exercise were a complete restructuring of the S&T governance and management model in Egypt, in addition to the creation of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), and the Science and Technological Development Fund (STDF). STDF is the major governmental R&D funding body in Egypt. Over the past years, the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) has stimulated the Egyptian scientific society by funding distinguished research papers and establishing scientific partnerships with scientists from many advanced countries in order to keep track of quickly advancing technology, and be open to different societies, as well as, new economic unions, compete on the international arena, link scientific research to technological development and cooperate with civil society institutions to activate their role in the integrated scientific research system. Thus, it is crucial to the STDF to continue executing serious, ambitious plans and programs so as to boost the scientific research drive. This is considered a key national component that should be positively reflected on national economy and societal development.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.
We work in more than 100 countries and our 7000 staff – including 2000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year by teaching English, sharing the Arts and delivering education and society programmes.
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