Middle East and North Africa
For Grant Seekers
The Middle East and North Africa office makes grants primarily in Egypt, and also provides a limited number of grants to promote regional collaboration and learning.
Initiatives
Advancing Economic and Social Rights
What We Fund
We support organizations that work to empower disadvantaged and marginalized people to access key economic and social rights, specifically the rights to housing and health; and to associated rights, including clean water, a safe environment and land access. Funds are available to promote community participation public education and advocacy, develop litigation and legal campaigns, and for monitoring and documentation, and policy change and implementation.
Grants also focus on strengthening the resources and infrastructure of civil society organizations involved in this work, and promote networking, alliance building and the development of new models and thinking.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not support general work on human rights or programs that focus on service delivery.
Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government
What We Fund
We support civil society organizations and government agencies operating at the local and national levels. We fund projects that focus on budget analysis and performance-based monitoring of public expenditures related to social welfare laws and policies. We also support research linked to advocacy, development and testing of experimental programs, and education through the media and other venues to promote public understanding of the right to information.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not support research unless it is linked to education or advocacy, nor do we fund general training for government officials.
Reducing HIV/AIDS Discrimination and Exclusion
What We Fund
We support efforts to reduce the stigma, discrimination and exclusion experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS and other populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. We accept proposals for innovative research, and for pilot and advocacy programs that protect and promote the rights of these groups to access services focused on prevention, care, treatment and support.
We also review proposals to explore new service models, and to combat violence and marginalization of infected and affected populations, including those targeting women, young people and poor people. Requests for support to develop technical expertise and promote cross-sector dialogue and collaboration will also be considered.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not accept proposals to fund ongoing social and health services, research on prevention technologies, clinical interventions and general public education initiatives.
Advancing Higher Education Access and Success
What We Fund
We fund efforts that address barriers hindering the access and success of disadvantaged students enrolled in public university social science programs. We consider proposals to prepare the next generation of scholars and university leaders through innovative programs that hone the professional skills, academic development and critical thinking of students. We also support research that examines how public higher education systems perpetuate marginalization and inequality at the national and regional levels, and that provides knowledge about how to reverse the trend. Projects that promote advocacy and coalition building around issues of equity and quality of public higher education, and focus on improving academic, professional and governance standards at public universities are also of interest.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not accept proposals to fund research programs, scholar networks or conferences.
Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights
What We Fund
We support projects that provide young people with information about their sexual and reproductive health, and improve their access to services that protect and promote their health and well-being. We consider proposals to develop, test and scale up new models and approaches to reach young people and their caregivers; to explore new service models and study the needs of young people, particularly from marginalized communities; and to address related reproductive health policy and rights issues.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not fund the following types of work: ongoing social and health services, clinical interventions, and health services not focusing on young people. We also do not support non-reproductive, health-related programming.
Supporting Diverse Arts Spaces
What We Fund
We support arts organizations—and the service organizations that assist them—that are committed to artistic creation, freedom of expression and dialogue on social justice and diversity. We fund activities that promote the use of facilities by diverse audiences for artistic creation, training and education. Grants also focus on organizational capacity building, networking and development of resources and knowledge.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not fund individual artists, curatorial initiatives, media productions, stand-alone artistic projects (such as festivals, exhibitions and catalogues), or cultural heritage and preservation projects.
Strengthening Human Rights Worldwide
What We Fund
This initiative supports flagship organizations in their efforts to develop and strengthen their global programming to promote the rights of the poorest and most marginalized. Creativity and innovation are encouraged.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not make grants to human rights NGOs advocating for strengthened enforcement of human rights standards. We do not give direct support to governmental and intergovernmental institutions under this initiative. We also do not provide funds for human rights education.
JustFilms
What We Fund
We have made a grant to the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to review proposals and select projects for funding. If you are a filmmaker from within the Arab region who is interested in producing documentary work about the region, please visit the AFAC’s website to submit your request.
If you are a filmmaker from outside the Arab region who is interested in producing documentary work about the region, you may apply for a grant here.
Promoting Creativity and Change Through Education in the Palestinian Territories
What We Fund
We support capacity building by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and educational institutions promoting contemporary Palestinian cultural and artistic expression. Grants are available to develop curriculums, teacher training and academic resources in this field; expand opportunities for training in diverse mediums; and reach new audiences with cultural and artistic productions.
Additional Selection Criteria
We do not provide support for traditional cultural heritage activities.
To Apply for a Grant
Follow these steps:
- Review the Initiatives most relevant to your work.
- Read our Grant Application Guide, which describes our grant-making process.
- If you determine that your work aligns with our priorities, submit a Grant Inquiry. (While we welcome submissions, please keep in mind that our funds are limited in relation to the large number of worthwhile inquiries we receive. In a typical year, less than 1 percent of unsolicited inquiries result in a grant.)
Please Note:
It is important that you use our grant inquiry form—and refrain from contacting program officers directly. Given the volume of inquiries we receive, this allows us to log, track and respond quickly to your application.
Fellowships
The vast majority of foundation grants go to organizations. Historically, we have provided a very limited number of fellowship opportunities for individuals, including the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP).
Unfortunately, IFP is no longer accepting applications. The final cohort of fellows has been selected.
The foundation does not have any other active regional fellowship opportunities at this time.
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