Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) announces the opening of applications for the “Faculty for Factory Program”, in a strategic step aimed at strengthening integration between academic expertise and the industrial sector, while supporting the state’s direction toward enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian industry, thereby contributing to the national economy.
The program serves as an innovative challenge-based model, in which real industrial problems in Egyptian factories are identified and addressed through specialized academic expertise. The program focuses on developing direct practical solutions that are applicable within production environments, enhancing operational efficiency and the quality of outputs, while excluding purely theoretical research or traditional consulting services.
The program aims to provide researchers with the opportunity to work full-time inside factories for a period ranging from 4 to 6 months, according to an implementation plan that begins with an integration phase within the factory, followed by challenge assessment, and then the development of practical solutions or prototype models suitable for industrial implementation.
The program is based on a comprehensive partnership between an academic institution and an existing Egyptian factory. The principal investigator must be a faculty member at a governmental university, research center, or governmental research institute, holding a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field, and fully dedicated to working inside the factory throughout the program period. Preference will be given to applicants at an early stage in their professional careers, contributing to the development of a new generation of researchers capable of working within industrial environments.
The host factory must also be an Egyptian industrial entity operating within Egypt and capable of hosting the researcher, while providing access to production processes, data, facilities, and technical teams necessary for the efficient implementation of the project.
Regarding the funding mechanism, the program provides a monthly stipend for the principal investigator throughout the implementation period, with the possibility of supporting a postgraduate student within the project after obtaining approval. This contributes to preparing qualified research personnel capable of linking academic knowledge with industrial needs.
The submission period for research proposals will continue until June 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM, in accordance with the detailed rules and conditions of the call available on the official website:
STDF Open Grants Page
