Science and technology cooperation : amendment no. 1

The SP will be implemented by a number of Egyptian universities and research organizations. Using an Economic Support Fund grant, the SP will fund three competitive grant programs - open to Egyptian universities, research centers, and private sector firms - for research in predefined high priority categories. (1) The National Research Program subgrant will focus on solving limited national technology problems beginning with construction materials, industrial minerals and chemicals, and soil improvement. (2) The Local/Regional Problems Research subgrant will fund research to solve local/rural development problems associated with and identified by specific governorates or regions; originally selected categories include lake ecosystems, water and wastewater treatment, and small-scale industry. (3) The national-level Advanced Technology Problems subgrant will award grants on a highly selective basis to fund research on advanced technology applications such as the application of biotechnology techniques to crops for semi-arid lands, and computer-based technologies for increasing industrial productivity. Training targets under the three programs total U.S. training for 95 persons, in-country training for 324, and third-country training for 25. On the administrative level, the Ministry of Scientific Research will create two units within the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology: a Steering Committee to plan and oversee the SP, and an SP Secretariat to manage it on a daily basis (including grant review and approval, administrative support, and monitoring). A U.S. management systems contractor will assist these entities in developing the first 18 months" activities and will also provide short-term consultants in various management and operational areas. SP activities will be coordinated with those of the recent National Agricultural Research Project (2630152).