Morocco Launches $1 Million COVID-19 Research Program to Combat Pandemic Spread

With a budget of 10 million DH, this research program aims "to produce new original scientific knowledge, with multidisciplinary approaches capable of addressing all levels and all aspects of this pandemic". Three themes have been selected and will be the subject of this research. It is a question of "how to analyze and understand the penetration and spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Morocco". The research for this theme "must be able to understand and analyze the situation of the pandemic, both nationally and regionally, and on all levels". The research projects must be completed within one year, reports medias24.

The second theme will focus on "scientific recommendations to manage the transition period and allow a return to normal as soon as possible in Morocco". Here, the research carried out must respond to the different aspects of the epidemic, propose the measures to be put in place after the regression of the epidemic and the extinction of the virus. They must above all provide the measures to be taken in the event of the persistence of the pandemic. The projects of this theme must be carried out within a period of six months.

As for the third theme, it must focus on "the lessons to be learned from this pandemic and the preventive measures to be put in place for the future". According to the guidelines, the research carried out must focus on the means to be implemented in order to cope with the eventuality of the appearance of other pandemics or epidemics. The research projects must be completed within a period of six months.

The terms of financing and execution of the selected projects will be the subject of a contract between the CNRST and the universities constituting the project-carrying pole. With regard to the payment of the grant, the first tranche, which is 50%, will be made upon signing the contract and the second tranche after the positive evaluation of the scientific and financial report provided at mid-term. The application file must be submitted electronically to the CNRST no later than April 30, 2020 at 4 p.m.