Check out this opportunity to advance the biological sciences through collaborations with scientists in developing countries funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  Funds will be made available to foreign collaborators through USAID’s program on Partnerships for Advanced Engagement in Research (PEER) current solicitation. The deadline for pre-proposals is February 10, 2020.

The program is funded by USAID, managed by the National Academies of Science, and coordinated with six federal agencies, including NSF. Its goal is “to build scientific capacity and empower researchers in developing countries to use science, technology, innovation, and partnerships to address local and global development challenges.”

Some of the focus areas include Advanced Digital Tools and AI and any development-related research topic. You will find information on all of the focus areas in the solicitation which also includes an open call for projects in addition to several country-specific focus areas.

Who can apply?

U.S. researchers cannot submit PEER proposals. Instead, they must be submitted by foreign collaborators working with US PIs with active awards from NSF, NASA, NIH, Smithsonian Institution, USDA, and/or USGS.

Currently funded principal investigators looking for funds to support collaborators in PEER-eligible countries and focus areas should encourage their colleagues in other countries to apply.

Applicants must:

• Be based at an academic institution, non-profit organization, or government-managed research laboratory, center, or institute in a PEER-eligible country or focus area;
• Hold a career-track position or equivalent at their institution;
• Work in the country from which they are applying; and
• Be nationals (citizens or permanent residents) of the PEER-eligible country for the focus area to which they are applying.

See full eligibility requirements here.