COMSTECH, the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has launched its Research Grant Program for Young Women Researchers.
This initiative is dedicated to supporting young women scientists, engaged in indigenous S&T research within OIC member states. The program aims to promote scientific excellence, strengthen research capacity, and help curb the brain drain of talented researchers from the region. Grants may be utilized for purchasing scientific minor equipment, consumables, and specialized literature.
In response, OIC-COMSTECH received 690 applications, out of which 607 from Pakistan, and 83 from other OIC Member States.
The research proposals of short-listed applicants were evaluated by external experts, and the following researchers from different OIC states were selected for the award of research grants for the Year 2025-26.
The TÜBİTAK Research Institute for Fundamental Sciences (TBAE) is currently accepting expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers interested in applying for the prestigious 2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) call, funded by the European Commission.
This preliminary call is intended to identify eligible candidates and provide support throughout the development of their full MSCA-PF proposals. Selected candidates will work closely with experienced supervisors at TBAE in preparation for the final application submission due by 10 September 2025.
Application deadline for expressions of interest: 23 June 2025
Interested researchers should submit:
A detailed CV (including exact dates and locations),
A research proposal (max. two pages),
A signed “Declaration of Eligibility” form.
Applications must be sent to: orkun.hasekioglu [at] tubitak.gov.tr tbae.iletisim [at] tubitak.gov.tr
More details, including eligibility criteria and TBAE’s research priority areas, can be found in the full announcement below.
Food insecurity remains a pressing global issue, especially in many OIC countries, where challenges such as economic instability, climate change, conflicts, and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and malnutrition crisis have severely affected food systems. These factors continue to impact food availability, access, and utilization, further highlighting the need for resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing these challenges requires investing in research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building to develop innovative solutions and strengthen food and nutrition security.
COMSTECH and prestigious CCoE member institutions jointly offer this research fellowship program to young researchers in OIC countries. This initiative offers opportunities for short- to medium-term research placements (3 to 6 months) in advanced institutions, aiming to build technical capacity in agriculture, food security, and related areas. The program seeks to empower early-career professionals by enhancing their research capabilities and fostering long-term collaborations across the OIC scientific community.
Fellowship Program objectives:
To contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience among researchers, scientists and working professionals in the area of improving the food security and development of sustainable agriculture through trainings and research opportunities.
To build the capacity and increase awareness of fellows in the comprehensive domain of food security.
To strengthen the local capacity of fellows from OIC least-developed countries for the appliance of the gained knowledge and practices in their home countries.
Thematic areas
The Fellowship Program offers opportunities in areas related to the below themes. The thematic areas are subject to revision and modification as per the requests of OIC member countries.
The fellowship program is open to citizens of all OIC member states and the OIC least-developed countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Yemen.
Applicants must have at least a Bachelor’s degree; having Master’s or Ph.D. degrees will be an asset. The academic background in food security, agriculture, food science, food safety, or another related field.
Applicants with Bachelor’s degrees must have at least 5 years of substantive professional experience, preferably in government or national research institutions after university graduation. For applicants with a Master’s or Ph.D., at least 3 years of professional experience, preferably in a government or national research institution.
Fluent and proficient in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
Available full-time (40 hours per week) during the entire duration of the fellowship.
COMSTECH will accept applications on a yearly basis and select the candidates based on the pre-approved selection criteria.
Language: The fellowship will be conducted in English language.
Research fellowships are awarded by OIC-COMSTECH, as well as by the Joint Scholarship Committee of the host institutions, based on scientific merit.
Call Status
The call is currently open
Host country
Various OIC R&D and Higher Education Institutions
Eligible nationality
OIC member countries
Minimum diploma held
MS/Ph.D. or equivalent
Duration
3-6 months
Age limit
Maximum 35 years (for Master’s studies), 45 years (for doctoral studies)
Call details
Research Fellowship Offers:
Scholarships are offered for three to six months, extendable upon recommendation from the host institution.
COMSTECH will cover, low-cost international airfare and visa fees, if applicable.
Host institutions are expected to provide accommodation, subsistence supervision and mentoring of local training.
COMSTECH and The University of Lahore has launched a special collaborative program offering scholarships in Full Degree Programs, Fellowships and Short-term Training to the nationals of Republic of Bangladesh. These scholarships will support students, scholars, scientists, engineers and technicians from Bangladesh.
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 has ranked The University of Lahore (UOL) among the top 500 universities globally. UOL has market-driven curriculum, excellent teaching and learning, robust applied and academic research, and efficient management systems.
Fields of Study
These scholarships can be availed in wide range of fields of
Allied Health Sciences
AI and Advance Computing
Engineering
other STEM Disciplines
Eligibility
Nationals of Bangladesh
Nationals of Bangladesh, residing in any country of the world are eligible to apply for this programme.
Between the age of 17- 45 years
Female candidates and Minorities will be given preference.
Target beneficiaries
Students. young researchers, scholars, scientists (enrolled in PhD, Masters, undergraduate programmes or involved in active research) are eligible for this programme.
Technical personnel’s working for S&T and Engineering laboratories (For technicians training programme).
Duration of Award
The duration of Full Degree Program, Fellowship and Short-term Training will be covered under this award. Duration can be extended with mutual agreement of host institution and COMSTECH secretariat.
Benefits
COMSTECH secretariat will cover the following expenses for scholarships:
1 economy class round trip from applicant home and host institution for the whole scholarship period
Local transport for airport pick up and drop off.
Host institutions will provide tuition fee waiver for the students of full degree programs
Host institutions will provide an honorarium and free accommodation for the researchers and trainees, respectively.
COMSTECH and The University of Lahore has launched a special collaborative program offering scholarships in Full Degree Programs, Fellowships and Short-term Training to the nationals of Republic of Bangladesh. These scholarships will support students, scholars, scientists, engineers and technicians from Bangladesh.
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 has ranked The University of Lahore (UOL) among the top 500 universities globally. UOL has market-driven curriculum, excellent teaching and learning, robust applied and academic research, and efficient management systems.
Fields of Study
These scholarships can be availed in wide range of fields of Allied Health Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Sciences, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Arts & Architecture, Languages & Literature, Information Technology and Pharmacy
Nationals of Bangladesh, residing in any country of the world are eligible to apply for this programme.
Between the age of 17- 45 years
Female candidates and Minorities will be given preference.
Target beneficiaries
Students. young researchers, scholars, scientists (enrolled in PhD, Masters, undergraduate programmes or involved in active research) are eligible for this programme.
Technical personnel’s working for S&T and Engineering laboratories (For technicians training programme).
Duration of Award
The duration of Full Degree Program, Fellowship and Short-term Training will be covered under this award. Duration can be extended with mutual agreement of host institution and COMSTECH secretariat.
Benefits
COMSTECH secretariat will cover the following expenses for scholarships:
1 economy class round trip from applicant home and host institution for the whole scholarship period
Local transport for airport pick up and drop off.
Host institutions will provide tuition fee waiver for the students of full degree programs
Host institutions will provide an honorarium and free accommodation for the researchers and trainees, respectively.
OIC-COMSTECH, the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), was established by the Third Islamic Summit of OIC held at Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in January 1981. The President of Pakistan is the Chairman of OIC-COMSTECH. The core mandate of OIC-COMSTECH is to strengthen cooperation among OIC Member States in science and technology (S&T) and enhance their capabilities through training in emerging areas, undertake follow-up-actions and implementation of the resolutions of the OIC, and to draw up programs and submit proposals designed to increase the capability of the Muslim countries in science and technology (S&T). The ultimate aim is to build and nourish a scientific culture in addition to using S&T as a major contributor to socio-economic development and rapid industrialization.
Introduction of University of Technology Sarawak (UTS):
The University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) is a full-fledged university located in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. It was established in 2012 as the University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) and was upgraded to a university in 2021. UTS is wholly owned by the State Government of Sarawak through Yayasan Sarawak (Sarawak Foundation). UTS is committed to providing students with affordable world-class university education that nurtures creative and entrepreneurial leaders through a broad education in science and technology. UTS offers 34 programs under six schools, with an emphasis on developing programs in collaboration with industries, local communities, government policy institutions and local and international
organizations. It has produced over 2,600 graduates with an average employability rate of 99.1%, making it one of the highest employability rates in Malaysia. UTS also has six research centers contributing solutions to local challenges by employing science, technology and digital innovation towards achieving social, economic and environmental sustainability’s. In the last Ten years, UTS has expanded its teaching roots to become a comprehensive research-intensive university.
The UTS campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a unique post-modernist neo-futuristic architectural style. UTS is the first university in Malaysia to be awarded a Green Building Index “Platinum Index” rating and has participated in the UI Green Metric University Ranking since 2020. Diverse educational pathways and the push for transdisciplinary learning continue to reflect its role as a state-owned university, where novel pedagogies and teaching approaches such as community-based service learning are used. UTS is committed to enhancing teaching and learning, student welfare and research development for making Sarawak a developed state by 2030.
Call Status
Call For Application is Open for 2025 for 6-months Research Fellowships
Host Institution
University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia (www.uts.edu.my)
Minimum degree held
M.S/MSc for studentship and PhD for Research Fellowship in relevant field of study
Duration
6 months (Full Time)
Age limit
20 – 50 years
Areas of Research
Civil Engineering Environmental Soil Science (Peatland) Electrical Power Engineering Robotics Automations Marine Sciences Cyber Security Human-Computer Interaction/Participatory Design Sustainable Energy and Advanced Materials Artificial Intelligence and STEM Education
Language
The language of instruction is English.
Terms of the Scholarships
Selected candidates will be eligible for one economy class return air ticket for the entire duration of the fellowship
The fellowships are offered for a maximum duration of six months.
COMSTECH will provide free-return economy class ticket while UTS will provide free accommodation for a single person and a food allowance of RM 442.00 per month for MSc holder and RM 663.00 per month for PhD holder to the selected candidates.
Application Submission
Applicants must complete the application form and attach the required documents at: Click Here
Only selected applications will be notified via email
Closing date for applications: Friday 14th April, 2025
Background:
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation consists of 57 countries which accounts for 1.9 billion of the global population. A large number of these countries are faced with various challenges, such as poverty, food insecurity, climate change and lack of health facilities. However, one common factor remains in all that they lag far behind in science, technology and innovation in comparison to the developed world. Among these, one issue of prime importance is the need for trained researchers and technical personnels in various fields of science and technology with emphasis on health.
To meet the above stated challenges, the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) and OIC- COMSTECH will join hands to offer technicians training.
Objective:
To overcome the lack of trained researchers in the OIC member states, COSMTECH (the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation)), in collaboration with top ranked university of China, HUCM, proposes technicians training program to provide hands on training on various medical and STEM fields for S &T capacity building.
Through this collaboration, 20 technicians will be trained at various research centers, and laboratories of HUCM. Technicians will be trained for 2-4 weeks at the various labs/ centers of HUCM.
Target Beneficiaries:
This program will benefit researchers and technicians/technologists working in instrumentation sections/laboratories, facilities of teaching institutions, hospitals, R&D laboratories and those who are in need of research training on various or specific sophisticated scientific instruments being used in their relevant fields.
Eligibility Criteria:
For technicians training: The candidate should hold at least diploma of associate engineering, engineering technologist, lab technologist, students at least holding MS degree in STEM fields and laboratory science involved with sophisticated scientific equipment in various STEM fields.
The candidate must be a regular employee (endorsed by the institution) of parent university, hospital or research institution.
Age limit is 28- 40 years.
Nationals of OIC member and observer states can apply.
The candidate must sign an agreement with parent institution to serve the parent institution for at least one year on completion of training.
Preference is given to women applicants and those working in Least Developed OIC Countries (LDCs) of the OIC member countries.
Benefits of Training:
The research fellow/trainee will be provided with international low-cost airfare, visa fee by COMSTECH.
Whereas HUCM will accommodation to incoming scholars / trainees.
Trainees will be placed in the relevant laboratories in institution.
COMSTECH in collaboration with Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Islamabad, launched “COMSTECH-CCoE Yemen Program” in June 2022 for the capacity building of Yemeni scientists. H. E. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi, the Ambassador of Yemen had a series of meetings with Coordinator General COMSTECH to start this program.
In the first phase COMSTECH offered 50 fellowships for Yemeni nationals. These fellowships were offered by International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) (University of Karachi), The University of Lahore, Lahore, and Health Services Academy (HSA), Islamabad – member institutions of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE).
In the first phase, 17 scholars have successfully completed their fellowships in the respective institutions, and returned back to Yemen to serve the nation.
Out of these 17 fellowships, 11 were done at the University of Lahore and 3 fellowships were done at ICCBS and HSA each.
In the second phase COMSTECH has offered 80 more fellowships and two on-site training events in Yemen in the fields of health, agriculture and climate with the support of the University of Lahore, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Health Services Academy, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, National Agricultural Research Center, University of Management and Technology, University of Sargodha and Superior University.
