What is the MESF What are the objectives

• What is the MESF • What are the objectives of the MESF • What are the MESF areas of support • Organizational structure • Criteria for funding • MESF Projects Scales • Deadlines

What is the Middle East Science Fund? • It is an independent non-for-profit organization • Launched by HM King Abdullah II at the Fourth Petra Conference for Nobel Laureates in June 2008 • It operates under the King Abdullah Fund for Development

What are the main objectives of the MESF? • Promote innovative and high quality scientific research and development • Create opportunities for cooperation between regional institutions • Sponsor joint project related activities between young scientists • Strengthen partnerships and stimulate dialogue, interaction and exchange of information

What are the MESF areas of support? • The MESF aims to support innovative scientific research projects, involving both young scientists and graduate students • The MESF also sponsors meetings of scientists from universities in the region, and support their joint activities towards promoting cooperation among educational institutions • Main fields of research: 1. Energy 2. Water issues 3. Food & Agriculture 4. Natural Resources 5. Medical & Health Issues 6. Basic Sciences 7. Technology (Biotechnology, ICT, Nanotechnology & Novel Materials) 8. Environment 9. Sustainable Socio-Economic Development

Criteria for Funding • Non-for profit • Regional in scope • Involve young scientists pursuing their graduate studies • Relevant to the region • Grants are not offered to students or individuals

Organizational Structure International Advisory Council Board of Directors Project Management Unit Executive Committee

MESF Projects Scales 1 2 Regular proposals 3 Small Projects PMU BOD IAC Peer Review Thesis Projects BOD Peer Review

Deadlines § Submission of applications: 01 September to 31 December 2008 § Initial screening of applications by the PMU: 04 to 15 January 2009 § Evaluation by the BOD: 18 January to 28 February 2009 § IAC review, recommendation and ranking: 01 March to 03 April § Announcement of awardees: At the annual Petra Nobel Laureates Conference in Jordan and the MESF website