TBA (last known deadline was September 6, 2012)
BSF is announcing the availability of funds for joint applications from U.S. and Israeli co-PIs to organize and conduct a workshop that is focused on bringing together Israeli, American and Palestinian scientists for the purpose of facilitating the development of partnership research projects. These new partnerships should manifest themselves in the preparations of new research proposals that will be submitted to the various funding agencies (other than the BSF) and joint publications. Thus, unlike conventional workshops that evolve around frontal presentations of recent scientific developments,this BSF sponsored workshop is expected to concentrate on the preparations of new joint research proposal and joint publications. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of their scientific excellence, as well as on their broader significance. As guiding principles, support will be awarded to workshops that meet the following criteria: 1)Workshop(s) organized jointly by American and Israeli moderators. 2)Specifically address aspects aimed at broadening participation and partnership of Israeli and Palestinian researchers of all national, linguistic and religious backgrounds. 3)Focus on areas of research that have broad Middle East regional importance, such as (but not limited to) environment, ecology, water, alternative sustainable energy, genetic diseases and infectious diseases, as well as research topics with potential commercial applications. 4) Provide specific strategies for logistics to successfully convene a face-to-face workshop of all participants, including contingencies for unexpected last minute challenges relate to cross-border travel by participants. 5) Exhibit high likelihood for joint research proposals and joint publication to be developed in at least an outline or draft form by the participants at the conclusion of the workshop(s). BSFs currently approved budget for workshops is $50,000. This amount will either be given to one workshop, or divided between two workshops (more likely).