The Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Manama has announced a funding opportunity for universities and institutions to support high-tech research and innovation under the Comprehensive Strategic Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). The agreement involves the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom, focusing on three main areas: defense and security; economic, commercial, and trade cooperation; and science, technology, and network security.
The embassy aims to fund programs that foster collaboration between academic institutions and private industry across all three countries. The goal is to promote secure technology ecosystems that are market-driven and uphold shared values. According to the announcement, “Priority will be given to proposals that include direct collaboration with U.S. private sector partners and that engage all three C-SIPA countries.”
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks or civil society groups registered in the United States, United Kingdom, or Bahrain, as well as public and private educational institutions from these countries.
Funding awards will range from $10,000 to $60,000 per project. The total available funding is $120,000 pending availability of funds. Applications must be submitted by September 4, 2025.
Projects should focus on joint research ventures related to Articles III and IV of C-SIPA. Areas of interest include supply chain resilience, regional economic integration, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), secure networks and communications systems, software and hardware development, as well as efforts toward a more resilient digital infrastructure supply chain—especially in global communications. More information about C-SIPA can be found at https://bh.usembassy.gov/u-s-bahrain-comprehensive-security-integration-and-prosperity-agreement/.
Budgets for proposed projects may cover staff time, virtual meetings, travel for university personnel between participating countries for research activities or presentations but cannot be used for equipment purchases. Projects are expected to produce concrete outcomes such as joint publications or memoranda of understanding for continued collaboration.
Proposals should also consider future collaborations beyond the initial project period—such as additional research initiatives or student exchanges.
Applicants must submit their proposals in English with budgets in U.S. dollars using specified formats.
For questions regarding the application process in its entirety, interested parties are directed to contact ManamaPAO@state.gov.