I believe that international science is an indisputable good for the world community. Something to be fostered and encouraged, whenever possible." – Lewis Thomas (Noted U.S. author, biologist & physician)

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Crucial to the U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation's (CRDF) mission is the promotion of international scientific cooperation. CRDF operates a number of initiatives to foster international collaboration in science, technology and industry.

At the core of CRDF activities is the Cooperative Grants Program (CGP). Launched as the Foundation's first initiative in 1995, the program provides up to two years of support for joint U.S. and Eurasian research teams in all areas of basic and applied research in the natural sciences. The program offers an avenue into new research directions and collaborative opportunities for both U.S. and Eurasian scientists and engineers. Such collaborations strengthen the quality of foreign research, provide opportunities for junior researchers and female scientists, support the redirection of former weapons scientists to civilian research, and establish the background of knowledge and technology on which successful and profitable industry and business partnerships may be built.

Through CRDF and collaborations with American scientists, foreign scientists are introduced to the merit-based review process and gain familiarity with Western research models and interdisciplinary research. American scientists benefit from the unique expertise of their Eurasian counterparts and CRDF's project support.

Cooperative research grants average $60,000 and are awarded on a competitive basis. The submitted research proposals are rigorously evaluated through a merit review process that includes external peer review and assignment to disciplinary review. Grants to Eurasian teams include individual financial support; equipment, supplies and travel support; and institutional support to the grantee institution; U.S. team expenses include travel, supplies, and graduate student stipends. CRDF gives special consideration to proposals that include full-time participation of former weapons scientists or engineers.

In addition to the general research competitions, CRDF has recently focused its efforts on the global challenges of HIV/AIDS and antiterrorism.

CRDF and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) have established a Cooperative Programs/Science Liaison office in Moscow to provide on-site support of cooperative activities in Russia in Arctic research and the geosciences.

Under its Cooperative Grants Program, CRDF has reached over 6,600 scientists and engineers, thus helping to ensure Eurasia's continued participation in global scientific progress. The benefits of these cooperative research grants are compelling: grantees have purchased badly needed equipment and supplies; they have invited junior scientists and students to join their research teams; and both the U.S. and Eurasia have benefited from sharing new research methods, data, and intellectual strengths.

CRDF receives support for the Cooperative Grants Program from the U.S. Department of State, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Additional funding has also been provided by the Armenian Academy of Sciences, and the governments of Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and U.S. for-profit companies, which support the projects in which they are participating.

To request more information, contact the Cooperative Grants Program.

CRDF has increased its efforts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova by supporting the Bilateral Grants Program (BGP), a collaborative research program modeled after CGP and designed to support U.S. collaborations with those four countries. BGP is administered jointly between CRDF and the local science foundations in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova.  The average grant size is $35,000. Funding for the Bilateral Grants Program comes from the U.S. Department of State.