A growing number of research and research training collaborations are being established between U.S. scientists and those based in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. Some of these involve NIH extramural funding, others result from Visiting Scientists who come to the NIH campus for a time. An increasing number of NIH scientists are also traveling to the region to meet with their counterparts and collaborate on research questions of common interest. This growth in investments and engagement, despite budgetary and political challenges, is significant since the region offers much potential with a disease burden similar to that in the U.S. - high rates of diabetes, heart disease, mental disorders and cancers. Also, the region offers unique potential given genetic background, family structures and relatively high occurrences of some diseases considered rare in the U.S. that are difficult to research without foreign partners.
Countries in Region
Algeria, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Yemen
Grant Awards in Region
Judy Levin, M.S.Sc.
Program Officer for the Middle East and North Africa
Division of International Relations
Email (preferred): judy.levin@nih.gov
Telephone: (301) 402-1616