International Research & Science Programs

There is disproportionate participation in science and technology (S&T) around the world between developed and developing countries, and an unequal distribution of the gains to be had from investment in such areas.  

This gap contributes to an alarming divergence between the capacity and growth of developed countries versus developing countries. 

In an effort to narrow these gaps, USAID is working to:

• Build relationships based on a foundation of science and technology.
• Build bonds between countries.
• Support the development of new S&T endeavors.
• Empower scientists to address critical development challenges.  

To this end, USAID supports a range of programs and activities, including:

• Empowering scientists and engineers in developing countries through Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER), a joint-research program.  USAID hopes to level the playing field and address large, complex development issues in novel ways.
• Working to use S&T as platforms on which to build, strengthen, and renew bilateral relationships with other countries and scientists.
• Enhancing and catalyzing USAID partnerships with federal science agencies and academia to leverage other U.S. Governement funds and expertise for more efficient use of resources from taxpayers and better outcomes.
• Connecting universities in developing countries with digital scientific resources equivalent to that available at a top tier university, as a form of science diplomacy and capacity building – this effort provides scientists and researchers with unparalleled access to knowledge and information, equipping them with the means to solve problems for themselves.

By empowering developing country scientists to build the capacity of their own countries, leveraging the expertise and resources of other federal science agencies, and using S&T as a common language for bilateral engagement,  USAID is strengthening the global scientific and research networks.  

The Agency is making S&T more inclusive for developing country scientists who bring innovative approaches to meet the world’s toughest development challenges.

• The first solicitation of PEER received 488 submissions, from 79 different countries, accounting for 70 percent of the countries where USAID operates.  
• Final awards supported 42 new international scientific collaborations.
• Through the Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Program, both governments have supported approximately 70 research projects since 2005 that reflect Pakistani development goals and USAID priorities.