Request for Proposals: Joint Healthcare White Paper

‍Call for Proposals: Joint White Paper ‍

TIEC is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of Joint White Papers, made possible through our University Partnerships Accelerator Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

This opportunity supports collaborative teams from accredited institutions in the United States, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to co-develop white papers that explore areas of shared academic, research, or policy interest in health-related topics. 

Proposals should promote mutual understanding, build institutional connections, and lay the foundation for future academic collaboration or research partnerships. Selected white papers will contribute to TIEC’s Global Innovation Hub, the program’s virtual community platform, and may be highlighted in Community of Practice webinars or other programmatic activities.

Required Outcomes

Each selected team is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

1. Completed White Paper
   
   • A well-researched, collaborative paper of 10–15 pages that addresses the selected health-focused topic with clear relevance to Texas and/or MENA region contexts.
2. Collaborative Process Documentation
   
   • A brief summary of the collaboration experience, including team communication, division of tasks, and any challenges or best practices identified during the project.
3. Dissemination Plan
   
   • A strategy for sharing the white paper beyond the program, such as submission to academic journals, policy forums, relevant conferences, or an author’s home institution in order to advocate for change.
4. Contribution to Capacity Building
   
   • Evidence that the collaboration contributed to strengthening institutional partnerships, knowledge exchange, or professional development among team members.

Eligibility

• Faculty from accredited higher education institutions in the United States, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are eligible to apply.
• Each white paper proposal must include at least two faculty collaborators from two different institutions within the target countries listed above.
• Cross-regional (e.g., U.S.–MENA) and intra-regional (e.g., MENA–MENA ) collaborations are both eligible and encouraged, provided the project promotes meaningful cross-institutional and intercultural learning.

Proposal Guidelines 

Proposals must be 2–3 pages and include the following:

• Title and abstract (max 300 words)
• Names, roles, and institutional affiliations of all collaborators
• Thematic focus and relevance to participating institutions or regions
• Objectives and intended outcomes of the paper
• Description of the collaboration process and team coordination
• Anticipated timeline for development and completion

Focus Areas 

Proposals must relate to one or more of the following priority areas:

• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Patient Safety and Quality of Care
• Preventive Care and Early Intervention
• Access to Healthcare
• Healthcare Research and Innovations
• Behavioral Health
• Chronic Disease Management
• Health and Wellness
• Public Health Campaigns

Funding and Disbursement

Selected proposals will receive a total award of $4,000 USD per white paper team. Funding will be disbursed as follows:

• $1,000 upon acceptance of the proposal
• $2,000 upon submission of the final white paper to TIEC
• $1,000 upon publication submission or public dissemination 

Only one award will be issued per accepted white paper team. Funds are intended to support collaborative development, research, and writing.

Benefits and Support for Selected Applicants

• Publication and dissemination on TIEC’s Global Innovation Hub platform
• Optional presentation in a Community of Practice webinar
• Connection to an active network of health-focused professionals and institutions across Texas and the MENA region
• Visibility within the broader NEA-funded international higher education community

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance to Focus Areas ‍
  
  • The proposal clearly addresses one or more of the designated health-related priority areas and demonstrates clear relevance to Texas and/or MENA region contexts

• Strength of Collaboration‍
  
  • The proposal reflects meaningful collaboration between institutions, with balanced roles and clear contributions from all partners.

• Quality and Clarity of Proposal‍
  
  • The submission is well-written, clearly structured, and articulates the project's objectives, methodology, and intended outcomes.

• Feasibility and Timeline‍
  
  • The proposed plan is realistic and achievable within the project timeframe, with a logical and coordinated approach to joint development.

• Potential for Impact and Dissemination ‍
  
  • The proposal demonstrates potential for practical application, knowledge sharing, and broader dissemination beyond the participating institutions.

Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Once all available funds have been awarded, the application will close and no further submissions will be accepted.

Review Dates:

• First Round: July 15, 2025
• Second Round: September 15, 2025
• Third Round: November 15, 2025

Applicants are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of consideration.

How to Apply 

To submit your proposal, please click here to access the online application form. You’ll be asked to provide information about your proposed Joint White Paper, upload required documents, and confirm eligibility.

If you encounter any issues or have questions about the application process, please reach out to:

Angellina Le – TIEC Program Coordinator at angellina.le@tiec.org.

‍