EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009

UNCLAS RABAT 000188 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/STC - E KANE AND NEA/MAG AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB ? M BHALLA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TSPL ECON AMGT APER MO SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 MOROCCO REF: A. STATE 010843 ¶B. RABAT 0106 ¶1. (U) Summary: Embassy Rabat proposes to host an Embassy Science Fellow (ESF) in 2009. Proposal follows Ref A template. End Summary. -- General Information: -- Topic: Evaluation of Morocco?s research and development institutions and structure. -- Relevant Institutions: The Embassy Science Fellow (ESF) would collaborate closely with the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, Training, and Scientific Research; the National Center for Scientific and Techological Research (CNRST); and various Moroccan academic institutions. -- Preferred Time Frame and Length: Dates can be flexible to accommodate ESF schedule, but Post suggests 2-3 months duration (medical clearance would be necessary for more than 2 months). Post suggests starting in late September 2009, after the Muslim month of Ramadan (after approximately 20 September). -- Additional skills: Background in managing scientific research and/or commercialization of research; evaluation of research proposals; conversational in French. -- Security clearance is not required for this Fellowship. ¶2. (SBU) Post Proposal: ¶A. Post proposes that an ESF from a USG agency with expertise in evaluation of scientific research proposals and institutions conduct an evaluation of Morocco?s scientific and technological (S&T) research and development (R&D) institutions, funding and infrastructure with a goal of producing a strategic ?road map? to guide the Government of Morocco (GOM) in its restructuring of the R&D sector to make it more relevant to promoting economic growth and development. This activity would strongly support Mission goals for economic growth and development and would facilitate enhanced U.S.- Morocco S&T collaboration under the 2006 U.S.- Morocco Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (S&T Agreement). The proposed ESF program directly responds to GOM requests for technical assistance (Ref B),provides an important and valuable service demonstrating USG commitment to the S&T Agreement, and advances USG priorities of promoting science diplomacy with Muslim countries. ¶B. Morocco?s Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, Training and Scientific Research (Ministry of Education) has identified an urgent national need to modernize the organization, direction, and relevance of Morocco?s research and development efforts. The Ministry of Education is the Government of Morocco?s lead agency for activities under the S&T Agreement, and has repeatedly contacted Post with requests for USG assistance and guidance in evaluating and prioritizing national R&D efforts, as well as advancing U.S.-Moroccan R&D collaboration under the Agreement. Post has coordinated this proposal with the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry has assured us of its support for a Science Fellow to engage in this work, and its willingness to facilitate his/her inquiries and interactions with relevant individuals and institutions in Morocco. ¶C. Post proposes that the ESF use his/her tenure in Morocco to prepare a report evaluating the current state of Morocco?s R&D institutions and efforts, and making recommendations in the form of a ?road map? for restructuring, reorienting, or reinforcing specific fields and institutions. This report would provide a framework for orienting U.S. cooperation in S&T areas, as well as serve as a point of reference and advice for the Government of Morocco as it conducts its restructuring of the R&D sector. The ideal ESF would have experience in assessing the relative merits and utility of research programs and proposals in various scientific and technological fields, particularly regarding institutions and programs that develop commercially marketable technologies. In addition to the inherent value of this evaluation to guide USG interactions and GOM reforms, Post anticipates that this ESF proposal will also be an important deliverable under the S&T Agreement, and significantly boost and consolidate USG-GOM efforts to promote bilateral cooperation and science diplomacy. ¶3. (U) Embassy Rabat is prepared to provide housing, office support, and in-country travel arrangements if required (for example, official travel to scientific and academic institutions). The housing will be living space in a USG-owned residence. Post does not anticipate the ESF would require a security clearance to conduct this work. ¶4. (U) Rabat is not an unaccompanied post and has zero percent danger pay. RSO clears on the assignment of a potential ESF. ¶5. (SBU) Post point of contact for the ESF proposal is EconOff Jai Nair (Email: NairJL@state.gov; Tel: +212-537-66-8136; Fax: +212-537-76-3984). Backup point of contact is EconOff Johanna Merejo (Email: MerejoJR@state.gov; Tel: +212-537-66-8131; Fax: +212-537-76-3984). JACKSON