Nonproliferation
STRENGTHENING SCIENCE CAPACITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST Programs The building block of science diplomacy is the creation and support of collaborations between scientists across political and cultural boundaries. CRDF’s programs are working effectively to serve as a bridge between societies by providing new opportunities for collaboration.
and grant management expertise for Middle Eastern countries, including the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and the Qatar National Research Fund. • Education and training programs at eight Iraqi universities to help build the human resources to staff Iraq’s emerging forensic DNA requirements, including the identification of victims from mass graves. • Scientific conferences, training and study tours for Iraqi and Libyan scientists with dual-use skills on subjects of strategic civilian importance such as water resource management, agriculture and renewable energy.
The countries of the Middle East and North Africa are diverse in culture and financial and natural resources however , they all understand the importance of working toward knowledge economies and have embraced science and technology as a means to achieve them. CRDF views itself as a natural partner in and facilitator of these efforts and we are now working throughout the region to link U.S. and MENA scientists to address together critical regional challenges such as food security, water, environment, public health, innovation and strengthening research in higher education. CRDF is a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress and established in 1995 by the National Science Foundation. This unique organization promotes international scientific and technical collaboration through grants, technical resources, and training. CRDF is based in Arlington, Virginia with offices in Moscow, Russia; Kyiv, Ukraine; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Baku, Azerbaijan; and Amman, Jordan.
CRDF in the Middle East • With support from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, CRDF and the National Academy of Sciences organized a workshop on sustainable agriculture. The event, held in collaboration with the University of Damascus and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, assembled Syrian water and agriculture researchers and their counterparts from the United States and the Middle East. • Technical assistance to build grantmaking infrastructure
• Fellowships for Iraqi engineers in the United States to share best practices with public and private sector counterparts; and research grants to Iraqi scientists to promote basic research is health, environmental remediation and materials.
Our Vision To promote peace and prosperity through international science collaboration. Our Mission • Provide cooperative research and development (R&D) opportunities that enable scientists and engineers to address critical security, economic, education and other societal needs. • Advance peace and prosperity by funding civilian research and development projects that contribute to global nonproliferation objectives. • Promote the application of science and technology to economic growth through international partnerships and training that foster invention, innovation, entrepreneurship and the commercialization of technology. • Strengthen university research and education in science and engineering.
1530 Wilson Blvd, 3rd Floor | Arlington, VA 22209 | info@crdf.org | www.crdf.org | Tel: 703-526-9720
February | 2010