Objectives

Projects funded under this solicitation should contribute to building capacity in Pakistan and strengthening US-Pakistan cooperative relationships in one or more of the following ways:

1.      Improving the quality, relevance, or capacity of education and research at Pakistani institutions of higher education in science and technical fields.

2.      Improving the capacity of Pakistani public and private science institutions to support industry competitiveness.

3.      Increasing the capacity of science and technology to improve the well-being of ordinary Pakistani people. Topics include, but are not limited to, education, health, nutrition, water/sanitation, agriculture, democracy and governance, environment, and economic development.

Proposals should clearly explain how the project would facilitate capacity building at the institutional level in Pakistan.  Projects that would only enhance the capabilities of their individual participants, with no demonstrated broader impact, will be at much lower priority for funding.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the lists of projects funded in 2005, 2006, and 2007 to gain a better understanding of the types of activities supported under this program.  Additional weight will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear strategy for uptake or adoption of research outputs, including via further investment by the public or private sectors.