Page 2
MENA NWC Update
Water Innovation Fellowships Announced
MENA NWC Thematic
Partnerships
The Network’s thematic
areas and related research
priorities include:
Water Use Efficiency and
Productivity
Groundwater
Nonconventional Water
Water/Energy/Food
Security Nexus
Water Supply and
Sanitation
In September, the Network
released the Annual
Program Statement (APS)
for a new, exciting small
grants program. The Water
Innovation Fellowships
(WIF) program stimulates
partnerships between
researchers and
practitioners and rewards
innovative thinking to solve
water problems. This small
grants program
complements the Policy,
Research and Development
grants which are larger in
size and scope and longer in
duration.
Technical Scope. Water
Innovation Fellowships
projects aspire to make a
concrete impact in the water
sector. Research projects
must address a policy,
operational, technical, or
managerial issue that is
identified by stakeholders in
government, business,
NGOs, or civil society.
They must also address one
or more of MENA NWC’s
priority research areas:
water use efficiency and
productivity, groundwater,
non-conventional water,
water/energy/food nexus,
and water supply and
sanitation.
Eligibility. To seek funding
for research projects under
this program, applicants
must be citizens and
residents of a Middle Eastern
and North African country
and a full-time employee of
an institution or entity based
in the Middle East and North
Africa. Water Innovation
Fellowships seek to build a
strong partnership between
one research scientist or
A participant at the Network’s Water and Sanitation Thematic
Partnership meeting.
one water practitioner and
one Network Center.
FABRI will pair successful
applicants with member
Centers of MENA NWC,
based on best fit.
Evaluation Criteria. The
review panel will evaluate
the proposal’s technical
merit, qualifications of the
research team, relevance
and likely impact of the
research, and potential to
create and share relevant
knowledge.
Funding. A funding pool
of US $250,000 is available
for small grants under this
program. Research
projects funded under this
program may range in size
from $5,000 to $25,000.
Applicants are encouraged
to seek matching funds in
cash and in-kind from
external sources, such as
MENA NWC Centers,
utilities, governments,
businesses, civil society
organizations, and similar
entities.
WIF OBJECTIVES
•
•
•
•
Provide an exciting opportunity for water research
scientists and practitioners to pursue their unrealized
professional interests/dreams and enhance their career
development
Foster scientific research or outreach partnerships
between (a) scientists or practitioners in the Middle East
and North Africa and (b) a Network Center
Develop and carry out creative and innovative activities
that have a demonstrable impact on the water sector in
the Middle East and North Africa
Stimulate knowledge creation and exchange in the water
sector.