The RPG 2026 will open soon
Content and goals of the call
The Research Partnership Grants aim to strengthen collaboration between researchers based in Switzerland and those in partner countries from the MENA region. The Leading House MENA will launch one RPG call per year during the 2025-2028 mandate. Research Partnership Grants calls have been previously launched in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Each grant will provide up to CHF 25,000 to support either the launch of new joint projects or the consolidation of existing initiatives. A total of approximately 10 projects will be selected.
Open to all scientific disciplines, the call welcomes a wide range of methods and approaches: field research, feasibility studies, qualitative interviews, artistic or design-based research, etc. Proposals intended for military applications will however be automatically refused.
The objective is to facilitate meaningful Swiss-MENA collaboration, enable the piloting of ideas for future large-scale funding, and support partnerships with long-term potential beyond the grant period. The mutual commitment of both partners, including co-funding or in-kind contributions, is a key selection criterion.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must hold a position (permanent or lasting until the end of the project) in an eligible institution and demonstrate at least three years of research or relevant professional experience. What it meant by eligible institutions:
From Switzerland
- Accredited higher education institutions (list provided by swissuniversities)
- Research institutions as defined in art. 4. and 5. of the RIPA
From the MENA region
- Accredited universities
- Public research institutes
An accreditation certificate may be requested by the Leading House MENA for clarification.
Research costs, among which equipment, travel expenses, conferences costs, and living allowances may be eligible under certain conditions.
All applications must be submitted in English.
Please refer to the call guidelines for complete information.
The link to the application platform will soon be available on this page, along with a guide for applicants and the call guidelines.