Research in crisis-affected contexts: Continuity, Participation, and Reconstruction

Research & Innovation Open Call 23 Jan 2026 Multiple Countries Swiss Leading House MENA
Description Informations
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Description
Status
Open Call
Deadline
23 Jan 2026
Type
Research & Innovation
Countriess
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Institution
Swiss Leading House MENA

The Swiss Leading House MENA launches a new call for projects focusing on research crisis-affected contexts. It aims to foster impactful partnerships that bridge academic inquiry with practical and policy-oriented solutions, to catalyze meaningful, context-aware collaborations between Swiss researchers and partners in the MENA region.

Call Details

Open to all disciplines, this call supports impact-driven projects addressing urgent as well as medium- and long-term challenges related to continuity, participation, and reconstruction in crisis-affected contexts. It aims to:

  • Foster equitable and sustainable partnerships between Swiss and MENA institutions, prioritizing fragile and crises-affected areas.
  • Encourage rigorous research combined with practical, context-sensitive actions that respond to real-world needs.
  • Promote interdisciplinary approaches integrating technical, social, economic, cultural, and policy perspectives.
  • Ensure participation by engaging relevant stakeholders (e.g., communities, civil society, policymakers, private sector actors, diaspora) to ensure project relevance, knowledge transfer, and long-term impact.
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and cooperation across borders and sectors.

This call emphasizes sustaining research and academic activity during crises, while supporting efforts that contribute to recovery and resilience-building beyond immediate emergencies. A wide range of research methods is welcome, including fieldwork, feasibility studies, design research, interviews, surveys, archival research, artistic practices, and participatory approaches.

The proposal must include at least one academic partner in Switzerland and one in an eligible MENA country. Multilateral and interdisciplinary collaborations are strongly encouraged, including NGOs and community-based organizations, to support locally grounded activities, enhance community engagement, and reinforce capacities on the ground.

In short:

  • Maximum grant: CHF 20,000
  • Application deadline: 23.01.2026
  • Result notification: May 2026
  • Latest project start date: August 2026
  • Project duration: up to 12 months

Please visit the page of the call for detailed information, useful resources, FAQ and link to the application platform.