Advance Research Collaboration Through C-SIPA | DOS MANAMA PD 2024 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS MANAMA PD 2024 003

Advance Research Collaboration Through C-SIPA (Funding Opportunity Number: DOS MANAMA PD 2024 003) is a discretionary small-grants competition run by the Public Affairs Section (PAS) at the U.S. Embassy in Manama. The purpose is to fund projects that deepen and formalize research cooperation between U.S. and Bahraini institutions in ways that directly support the economic and advanced technology elements of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), signed on September 13, 2023. The work is meant to be Bahrain-focused and should contribute to lasting, practical partnerships rather than one-off engagements.

The core objective is to create enduring U.S.-Bahrain research collaboration aligned with Articles III and IV of C-SIPA. Proposed research themes should connect clearly to areas such as economic integration; bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation; supply chain resilience; infrastructure and economic development; and the exchange of innovative ideas, information, and skills that strengthen scientific and technological capabilities. The opportunity also highlights emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and emphasizes the importance of secure networks, communications systems, software, and hardware. A major priority is research that supports the development and promotion of a secure, resilient, diverse, competitive, transparent, and sustainable digital and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and related supply chains, particularly as they relate to global communications. Projects can address how these issues affect the United States and Bahrain specifically, and for economic integration topics, how they affect the two countries and the broader region.

The grant budget is intended to cover the practical costs of collaboration, especially staff time to coordinate and conduct joint work, virtual meetings and calls, and travel that enables U.S. university personnel to visit counterparts in Bahrain and/or Bahraini personnel to visit counterparts in the United States. The Embassy is looking for projects that produce a concrete deliverable by the end of the grant period, such as a joint publication, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that commits the partners to sustained joint research, or similar tangible outcomes. Proposals are viewed more favorably when they do not stop at a single output, but instead lay groundwork for continued cooperation, such as follow-on research and publications, joint teaching activities, faculty or staff exchanges, additional MOUs, and student linkages between institutions. One clear restriction is that grant funds should not be used to purchase equipment.

Eligible applicants are higher education institutions, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. The intended participants and audiences are research universities in both countries and relevant Bahraini educational and research institutes, with Bahrain Polytechnic mentioned as an example. The agency is the U.S. Mission to Bahrain, the priority region is Bahrain, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 19.040). The opportunity anticipated up to two awards, with an award ceiling of $60,000. The original application closing date listed was June 23, 2024. Applicants with procedural questions are directed to contact the Embassy at ManamaPAO@state.gov, and the full C-SIPA agreement text is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

• The U.S. Mission to Bahrain in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advance Research Collaboration Through C-SIPA" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOS MANAMA PD 2024 003

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