The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), has announced research grants for young scientists of the OIC member states. Fourteen grants, in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), amounting to $15,000 each will be awarded to young scientists up to the age of 40 years for projects lasting for a maximum period of 18 months, according to information made available to Saudi Gazette. “The Joint Research Program aims at encouraging the pursuit of scientific excellence in OIC member states by identifying and supporting the best young scientists. It also aims at counteracting the brain drain and reducing the exodus of scientific talent from these countries,” explained a source at the OIC headquarters here. She said that the priority areas for research projects under this program include earth sciences, engineering sciences, information technology and computer sciences, materials science including nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and renewable energy. Application forms and more information about eligibility conditions, requirements, and contact numbers is available at www.comstech.org and www.twas.org. Applications can be submitted to either COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, Pakistan or to TWAS in Trieste, Italy. The aspiring young scientists must be resident nationals of any of the OIC member states. March 31, 2009 and August 31, 2009 have been set as the first and second deadline respectively for submitting applications. The program is the outcome of a bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation that was agreed upon by both organizations on the eve of the 25th anniversary celebrations and the19th general meeting of TWAS that was held in Mexico City from November 10-13, 2008. It was decided that each organization would provide $100,000 annually to launch the cooperative program. COMSTECH, founded in 1981 is based in Islamabad, Pakistan and strives to promote science, technology and research in the OIC member states. TWAS is an autonomous international organization founded in Trieste, Italy in 1983 with the principal aim to promote scientific study and excellence for science-based development in the South.
