programs

COMSTECH-ICGEB program, launched in January 2022, offering research grants, fellowships and visiting professorship scheme to organize workshops in emerging technologies for capacity building of OIC states in various aspects of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Under this joint program, 11 Collaborative Research Projects (CRPs) have been funded in 2022-23, worth 200,000 euro. Out of these 11 grants, 5 received 20,000 euro each, while 5 granted 17,000 euro each, and 1 project got 15,000 euro. Some of these projects have been successfully completed and others, which are in progress will complete by August 2025. These grants were received by the researchers from Algeria (1), Egypt(1), Iran(1), Jordan(1), Kuwait(1), Malaysia(2), Pakistan(2), Tunisia(1), and Turkiye(1). The gender balance was given particular attention and 45% (5 projects) of women scientists have won the grants out of 11.

The second segment of this program was fellowships. This segment was divided into two parts – one short-term fellowships under which fellows joined ICGEB component laboratories to do their research work and, second one was to benefit from south-south mobility schemes.

In the short-term fellowships at ICGEB, 8 fellowships were awarded to the researchers from  Cameroon(2), Egypt(1), Iran(1), Jordan(1), Nigeria(2), Pakistan(1). Five out of eight fellowships were granted to women scientists. Due to personal reasons, 3 fellows renounced the opportunity. Remaining 5 are in progress and will complete by August 2025.

In the second tier of fellowships offer – SMART Fellowships (south-south mobility),  six fellowships were offered. Researchers from Cameroon, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tunisia secured these fellowships to join institutions for research work in Hungary, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Zimbabwe, and Turkey. Due to unforeseen reasons one fellow renounced the opportunity. Two female scientists won fellowships out of these six.

In the fellowships segment, a total 14 fellowships were awarded out of which 4 fellows renounced the opportunity, and 10 are in progress, out of which some have completed and the remaining will complete by August 2025.

The third segment of this joint program was to organize workshops in emerging technologies for the capacity building of OIC states. Three workshops were planned to be organized in Malaysia, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Two events (to be held in Nigeria, and Malaysia) have been organized successfully in February and August 2024 respectively, and the third event could not be organized. 

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is based in Trieste, (Italy), Durban (South Africa), and New Delhi (India). COMSTECH is an OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Call is currently open

Flyer: Click Here

COMSTECH, The Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC, is committed to promoting higher education, research and capacity building of OIC member states. It has started several programs focusing on building capacity of member states in areas of science, Technology, and Health particularly.

COMSTECH and The University of Lahore has launched a special collaborative program offering exclusive scholarships in Associate Degree Program (ADP) in Biomedical Engineering Technology, and Embedded Systems (2.5 years with pathway to BS) for Africa. 25 Scholarships in each program are available. These scholarships are offered to candidates from OIC Member States in Africa and Muslim Minorities in other countries in Africa.

The QS World University Ranking, Sustainability 2025 has ranked The University of Lahore (UoL) among the top 500 universities globally. The UoL has market-driven curriculum, excellent teaching and learning, robust applied and academic research, and efficient management systems. The UoL is distinguished member of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence.

Benefits

COMSTECH secretariat and UOL 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

Eligibility:

• Having 12 years of Education in Science/ Comp. Science.
• Citizen of OIC member country of Africa, Muslim Minority in other country in Africa.
• Age Bracket 17 – 30 years.

Duration of Award

• The duration of scholarship will be same as full Degree Program. Duration can be extended with mutual agreement of host institution and COMSTECH secretariat.

Link to Application: Click Here  

For More Details: Click Here

Contact Information:

COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad Email: Khazima@comstech.org  ; saad.zafar@uol.edu.pk; pojabbina@comstech.org

Call for application is open 31 March, 2025

Flyer: Click Here

Application Form: Click Here

Introduction

The COMSTECH Youth Leaders Program (CYLP) is a groundbreaking initiative by the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMSTECH). The program is designed to empower and equip the youth of OIC member states with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to lead advancements in science, technology, and socio-economic development.

In alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the developmental needs of OIC member states, the CYLP provides a unique platform for young professionals to work at OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat for a period of 3-6 month. This initiative will enable them to engage with policy issues, develop innovative solutions, and foster collaborations, and propose activities which promote S&T cooperation among OIC member states that address pressing global challenges.

Focus Areas

The CYLP will concentrate on policy issues and activities related to the following priority areas:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, Environment and Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Future Technologies, Manufacturing (CAD & CAM), Science Communication, S&T Policy, Water Resource Management, etc

Program Objectives

The CYLP aims to achieve the following key objectives:

• Empowering Future Leaders: Equip young professionals with advanced skills and global perspectives to take on leadership roles in their fields.
• Promoting Innovation: Encourage the development of creative solutions to address global challenges, including climate change, poverty, and education access.
• Strengthening Collaboration: Build networks among institutions and scientists across OIC member states to facilitate the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and best practices.
• Fostering Inclusivity: Ensure representation from diverse social, economic, and gender backgrounds, creating an equitable platform for sustainable growth.

Eligibility Criteria

The CYLP is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Age: Below 35 years.
• Education: 16 years or above
• Applicants must be from an OIC Member Country
• Proficiency in English, Arabi or French is essential.
• Commitment: Willingness to commit to a 3–6-month training program at OIC-COMSTECH Islamabad, Pakistan.

Expected Outcomes

• Capacity Building: Young leaders equipped with the tools and expertise to drive change in their home countries.
• Policy Advancement: Enhanced policymaking capabilities in critical areas.
• Collaboration: A robust network of youth leaders committed to advancing the shared goals of OIC member states.
• Innovation and Impact: Tangible solutions to pressing global challenges through youth-led initiatives and collaborations.

Certificate will be issued, confirming professional training/working at the headquarters of a multilateral organizations.

Contact Info:

For any query, Please contact on the below given Email address or Landline number.

Mr. Abdul Haleem Asghar
Focal Person-Awards & Programs (Africa), COMSTECH
Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
Email: abdulhaleem@comstech.org

Mr. Umer Ali
Programme Officer,
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: umerali@comstech.org

To Visit: https://comstechexpertservice.com/

To Visit: https://comstechexpertservice.com/

Call for application is open for 2025

Flyer: Click Here

Background:

Conflicts around the world have led to the displacement of millions of people, resulting in a significant impact on research and higher education for those affected. Armed conflicts, civil wars, political instability, and persecution force people to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries or within their own borders. Many refugees were involved in research or higher education in their home countries prior to displacement. The conflict disrupts their research projects, academic careers, and scientific contributions.

This program aims to support displaced and refugee scientists to stay up-to-date in their field, maintain meaningful careers, and be in a position to help rebuild their countries, once conditions allow. Until then, these professionals can be valuable assets for the countries in which they arrive.

Furthermore, this program aims to provide displaced and refugee scholars and scientists who have not yet found a safe and long-term host country an opportunity to pursue their studies/research/degrees, at the prestigious University of Sargodha, Pakistan

Terms of the Scholarships

• Applicants should be displaced or refugee scholars and scientists:
  i. Currently living in any OIC Member State and holding the right to live and study in the respective country. OR
  ii. Able to travel to Pakistan.
  Please note that the program is not suitable for scholars at risk who need specific assistance to leave their home country. Awardees are responsible for arranging the logistics and safety of their own relocation.
• Those travelling from outside Pakistan will be eligible for one economy class return air ticket for the entire duration of the fellowship/degree.
• Applicants who hold citizenship or permanent residency in Pakistan or in safe third countries are not eligible to apply.
• The fellowships are offered for a maximum duration of six months.
• The University of Sargodha will provide free accommodation for the selected candidates.

Application Submission

Applicants must complete the application form and attach the required documents.

For Online Application Form : Click Here

Only selected applications will be notified via email

For any queries please email at events@comstech.org, and director.el@uos.edu.pk

Contact Information: 

• haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Fax : 92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264

Call is currently open

Flyer: Click Here

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 OIC member states in Africa. These scholarships will support students, scholars, scientists, engineers and technicians from OIC member states in Africa.

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 OIC member states in Africa.
• Nationals of OIC member states in Africa, 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.

How to apply:

Application Form: LINK

For More Details: Click Here

Contact Information Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad

Email: Khazima@comstech.org  ; saad.zafar@uol.edu.pk; pojabbina@comstech.org

Life-Time contributions in ‘BIOLOGY’ and ‘CHEMISTRY’

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) announces awards intended to encourage and support scientific contributions in basic sciences. COMSTECH will offer awards in the fields of Biology and Chemistry during the forthcoming Session of COMSTECH General Assembly. Each award consists of a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$ 8000.

COMSTECH Awards for Excellence in Science & Technology

COMSTECH Young Researcher Award Download Form

> Under the age of 40 years by March 31, 2025.

Best Scientific Book Download Form

> Published by an International Publisher during 2023-2024

Patent Download Form

> The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to their respective field for discovery that has had lasting impact in furthering the theory and/or development of commercial systems

> Only those patents registered during the past five years would be considered

Each of the above three awards carries a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$ 4,000.

Best Research Paper

1- Biology Download Form

2- Chemistry Download Form

3- Mathematics Download Form

4- Physics Download Form

> Based on original Research. Review paper is not acceptable.

> Published in Impact Factor International Journal during 2023-2024

The above award in each discipline carries a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$ 2,500.

COMSTECH Award for Excellence in Science Communication

Download Form

This award is being announced for the first time. It is awarded to individuals and institutions in OIC countries engaged in impactful science communication and outreach activities. Outstanding contributions to science communication in academia, journalism, outreach and film making will be recognized. The award carries a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$ 2,500.

IMPORTANT:

Nominations for the COMSTECH Awards 2025 are invited from science academies, national research councils, universities, research institutions, and internationally distinguished scientists who are citizens of, and working in, OIC member states. Nominations will be judged by the panels of distinguished scientists/experts in relevant field appointed by Coordinator General COMSTECH.

A signed cover letter by the nominating agency/applicant along with softcopies of the relevant nomination papers be sent to COMSTECH Secretariat (awards@comstech.org). Nominations should clearly state the contributions made in the field for which the prize would be given. The nominations must be submitted in the English language and English translation of the related documents must be accompanied along with the following documents.

• Complete application form with signatures
• CV (no longer than 4000 words)
• List of Publications
• Endorsement letter from the Head of Institution

The closing date of receipt of the applications is Monday, March 31, 2025. Applications received after the closing date shall not be entertained. For enquiries, please contact awards@comstech.org

Call for 2025 now open

Flyer attached,

SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), a 3rd Generation 2.5 GeV SR facility was established in Jordan through financial support from UNESCO and Member States. It is a cooperative venture by scientists and governments of the region set up on the model of CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) although it has very different scientific aims. Since 26 February 2019 when SESAME’s solar power plant was inaugurated, SESAME is the world’s first large accelerator complex to be fully powered by renewable energy, thus making it the world’s first carbon neutral accelerator laboratory. This makes SESAME economically, as well as environmentally sustainable.

There are following Beamlines at SESAME

1. BM02 – IR (Infrared) spectromicroscopy beamline – this beamline started hosting users on 4 November 2018
2. BM08 – XAFS/XRF (X-ray Absorption Fine Structure/X-ray Fluorescence) spectroscopy beamline – this beamline started hosting users on 17 July 2018
3. ID09 – MS/XPD (Materials Science/X-ray Powder Diffraction) beamline – this beamline started hosting users on 17 December 2020
4. ID10 – BEATS (Beamline for Tomography at SESAME) – this beamline is now open to proposals.
5. ID11L – HESEB (HElmholtz-SESAME Beamline)  – this beamline is now open to proposals.

Opportunity for researchers from OIC member states:

The users, with diverse cultural, political, and religious backgrounds can interact on scientific issues and through this build cross-border scientific collaboration, dialogue and understanding. SESAME and COMSTECH are jointly supporting scientists from OIC member states to conduct experiments at SESAME to provide opportunities for collaborative utilization of the SESAME beamlines for a variety of research applications. COMSTECH is offering travel grants annually to SESAME users from OIC member states, especially from Least Developed countries (LDC).  

Eligibility criteria:

• Must have an acceptance from SESAME for proposal to use beamline
• Must be a citizen of an OIC member state
• Must have a valid passport.

COMSTECH will offer:

• International low-cost airfare for one return ticket to Jordan
• Visa costs to be borne by the candidate himself

Application procedure for proposals to SESAME:  

The users may apply for proposals to the five operational beamlines of SESAME. On-line submission using the SESAME Users Office can be accessed through link below; 

URL: https://sup.sesame.org.jo/pls/vuo/guest.startup

Please, carefully check all instructions and do not hesitate to contact the beamline staff. For more information on how to apply, please visit www.sesame.org.jo. Proposals received by SESAME are evaluated based on their Initial Safety Assessment, Technical Feasibility and Scientific Merit.
Successful applications will be sent to COMSTECH by SESAME.

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Fax : 92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264
Email: Khazima@comstech.org

To provide an additional opportunity for talented researchers from Islamic countries to apply for the available fellowships in Young Scientists’ Fellowship Program (YSFP), Mustafa^(pbuh) Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF), COMSTECH, and National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) are pleased to announce an extension of the application deadline for the active program till January 31, 2025.

YSFP provides short-term fellowships to young scholars, technologists, and faculty members under 40 years of age. Applicants must hold at least a master’s degree. The duration of fellowships in this program is 6–12 months, which can be more or less depending on the conditions and requirements, with the agreement of the host.

The current program awards five fellowships to young scholars specializing in biotechnology, health, and ICT.

Return flight tickets, accommodation, and research expenses will be covered by the organizers.
For further information and online application, please visit: https://ysfp.mstfdn.org/nust-2024/

For further information, please visit: https://ysfp.mstfdn.org/nust-2024/

Contact Information: 

• haris@comstech.org

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Fax : 92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264

Scholarships and Research Fellowships for Syrian Nationals

APSUP, in collaboration with Syrian Embassy has proposed to launch a special program offering up to 200 scholarships and research fellowships and 1000 online Digital Skills/Online Diploma to students, scientists, engineers and technicians of the Syrian Arab Republic.

This program is a collaborative effort of the member institutions of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE), Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP) and Syrian Embassy.

These scholarships and research fellowships will support Research fellowships and online diploma/Digital skills program for Scientists, Engineers and technicians of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Eligibility

• Syrian nationals residing in Syria (especially Earthquake struck areas)

Target beneficiaries

• Young researchers, scientists (enrolled in PhD, Masters, undergraduate programs or involved in active research) are eligible of this program.
• Technical personnel’s working for S&T and Engineering laboratories who need training to operate specialized equipment.

These scholarships and fellowships can be availed in the fields of Natural Sciences/ Applied Sciences/ Engineering and Technology, Computer Sciences, Software Engineering and Health sciences.

Selected candidates will study at Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan (including Superior University Lahore, University of Sialkot, University of Faisalabad, University of Sargodha, Institute of south Punjab Multan)

Duration of Award

The duration of fellowship program is between 4 -12 months. Duration can be extended with mutual agreement of host institution and APSUP.

Digital skills/Online diploma program shall be offered virtually to the candidates for a period of 2 – 6 months. 

Benefits

Host institutions will provide accommodations to the students and cover bench fee.

Applications will remain open round the year.  Application should be submitted to Syrian embassy/Ministry of Higher education/ Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology (HIAST) through email provided below. The Syrian embassy will send selected applications to COMSTECH for consideration.

Application Submission

Applicants are required to send an email of interest to the aforementioned along with below documents.

• Carefully filled Application form
• Scanned copy of your valid passport (page with your name and surname).

• Passport Size picture.
• Scanned copy of your education documents i.e. Matriculation & Intermediate certificates etc.

In case any of the above information is missing, your application will be considered incomplete.

For more information, please contact: 

syembassypk@yahoo.com, iucpss_pk@yahoo.com,